Getting the Blues 11 March 2010
Blues dancing is such a wonderful loose dance style; you can’t pin it
down to one generation or era and its boundaries are varied with sounds
so differing - like meat is to milk. So it came as no surprise to read
that Blues music in the early 1900’s was purely accidental! William Christopher Handy - known as the Grandfather of Blues
(is cited as writing some of the first published blues music) - he
recounted in his biography of a dance, circa 1905 in Cleveland
Mississippi, of what may have been blues and the dancers’ reaction to it
At the dance, Hardy was asked to play ‘some of our native music’.
Baffled as he was, he got his band to play an ‘old time southern
melody’. After this, he was asked if he would object if a local band
could play a few numbers. Hardy described them as a Mississippi string
band – “just
three pieces, a battered guitar, a mandolin and a worn out bass. They
played one of those over-and-over again strains that seem to have no
very clear beginning and certainly no ending at all. The strumming
attained a disturbing monotony, but on and on it went, a kind of stuff
associated with cane rows and levee camps. Thump-thump-thump went their
feet on the floor. It was not really annoying or unpleasant. Perhaps
“haunting” is a better word for it….The dancers went wild.”
While in Mississippi, Hardy was influenced by square dancers. He
attributes the caller of the dance as inspiring his music:
"It was the memory of that old gent who called figures for the Kentucky
breakdown - the one who everlastingly pitched his tones in the key of G
and moaned the calls like a presiding elder preaching at a revival
meeting. Ah, there was my key - I'd do the song in G." The song was St Louis Blues.
This rich tapestry of blues music from the 1900’s through to today is
what makes blues dancing so wonderful! The story of where it came
from….the dance influencing the music, music influencing the
dancers….it just makes it so much more interesting to keep this dance
form alive and evolving.
Source: Father of the Blues: An Autobiography. W.C. Handy,. Macmillan Company, New York.
See you all at the next Blues night!
Jules
INDEX
1. Classes and venue information
2. Evan & Noni workshop
3. Blues Before Sunrise
4. What’s On
5. Swing dancing gig guide
6. Links, legends, birthdays & other swing goodness
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1. Class and venue information
Venue Diaries
TIMETABLE
Newtown - Learn 8 Beat Lindy, How to Jazz up your lindy and Advanced technique at Newtown
North Sydney - Swingpit this Friday
Castle Hill - Classes resume this Monday!!! Spread the word
Cronulla - Classes resume this Tuesday!!! Time to get back into the swing of things
Balmain - Jammin’ the dance floor
Broadway - Gender Bender!
Concord - Classes start tonight!!! The new semi inner west swing venue
Swing Pit - Next Swing Pit is this Friday, 12th of March
2. A workshop with Evan & Noni
Melbourne superstars Evan Hughes and Noni Clarke
will be holding a special dance workshop in Sydney in May. Featuring
both fundamental and technical subjects this workshop will certainly
appeal to everyone.
Click HERE to find out more!
Date: Saturday 8th May
Workshop Venue: St. Stephens Church, 180 Church St Newtown (off King)
Whole day Cost: $90 per person for the whole day
Single Sessions: $35
Session 1 @ 10 – 11:15am: Cranking Charleston
This class will be great way to start off our day with Evan &
Noni’s favourite new moves. Charleston Swing Outs, Side by Side,
Travelling, Hand to Hand and more, all with challenging variations! It
might have been the first rhythm you learned, but this class won't be a
walk in the park.
Session 2 @ 11:30am – 12:45pm: Moves Remix
Often when social dancing you can only remember a few moves or
variations. This class will have new takes on a bunch of classic moves.
Learn to re-invent them and keep things fresh on the dance floor;
creativity for the lazy.
Session 3 @ 1:30– 2:45pm: Tricky Triple-Steps
The syncopation of a triple step is what makes Swing Dancing unique!
We’ll explore the intricacies of leading and following the ways those
feet can feel the rhythm. We'll be using leadable rhythmic changes to
really make your dancing stand out.
Session 4 @ 3 – 4:15pm: Surviving and Thriving at Higher Tempos
A fun filled guide to enjoy dancing a little (or a lot) faster. Dancing
up tempo can be a challenge but with our tips, timing, secrets on
Swingin’ Out and manageable moves you’ll be all over it.
Session 5 @ 4:30 – 5:45pm: Cuttin’ a Rug with Connection
Lindy Hop embraces improvisation, just like Jazz. Making it all up
keeps the dance exciting and connected to the music. Using a variety of
tones, rhythms & shapes you’ll find a great way to mix up your
dancing. Some tough but achievable stuff is planned, all aimed at
increase partner connection for the social floor.
3. Blues Before Sunrise Wrap Up
"...kickarse event!"
" The teachers were ALL exceptional!!!!!!!"
"I had a wonderful and inspiring weekend and although my body is exhausted my soul is really alive!"
***NEWS FLASH***
We recorded all the bands over the weekend and will be releasing a CD!!
It'll be great to dance to & a great memory of the event. More details soon...
Email info@swingpatrol.com.au for lost & found.
Thanks to everyone who attended,
See you at the next one!
Noni Clarke.
4. What’s On
a. Live Swing at Darling Harbour!
Last year we had the wonderful opportunity of dancing at Darling
Harbour to join forces with live bands for Seniors Week. Charmaine and Jake
had a photo shoot with Kamahl and the Kings of Swing proved to be an
awesome band to dance to. This year we have been asked to swing on down
to Palm Grove at Darling Harbour again. With The Kings of Swing and George Washingmachine Quintet as the line up, we can be guaranteed some excellent live music to dance to.
We have been given 3 time brackets to join in on the fun: -
Wednesday 24th of March at 12.30-3.30pm
Saturday 27th, Sunday 28th March at 12.30-3pm
It would be great to have a few people offering to be there for the
whole time with Jake, with as many people as we can muster to join in
for even 15 minutes, or any time you can offer us during your lunch
break on the Wednesday especially.
Please email Jake for any further questions at jake@swingpatrol.com.au
b. Cotton Club are Back
Howler's Cotton Club at the Woollahra Hotel
Thursdays in March
7.45pm - 10.45pm
116 Queen St
Woollahra
c. Sydney Balboa Weekend - 25-27 June - Mark your Diary!
Brought to you by Swingtime
With Nick Williams and Laura Keat
Further details to be announced soon.
d. Love Vintage Fair 16 -18 April
The Love Vintage Fair is held twice a year in April and October the
show features over 60 exhibitors from all over Australia, selling
vintage and antique clothing and accessories, antique and vintage
jewellery, linen, lace and textiles and small collectables.
There will be many exhibitors selling clothing, jewellery, accessories,
linen, lace and collectables. The show will also feature a
presentation of vintage fashions, lectures by Guest Speakers, Swing
Dancers, Demonstration of Vintage Makeup and Hairstyle Techniques and
other fabulous entertainment.
There will be lots of prizes to be given away for Best Dressed in
Vintage, so make sure you come dressed in your favourite vintage outfit.
Lucky Door Prizes will be given away every day and there will also be a raffle conducted.
A Free Shuttle Bus will be running from Strathfield and Canterbury Train stations
16 - 18th April 2010
CANTERBURY PARK FUNCTION CENTRE
CANTERBURY RACECOURSE,
King Street SYDNEY
Website Info HERE
e. Red Faces Auditions
Hey Hey is back. So RED FACES returns. And is auditioning now! Sydney auditions will be held on Saturday March 27
Don’t be shy, dust off the tap shoes, polish the spoons, tune the
tonsils and dry clean the chicken suit…they’re after the weird, the
wacky and the wonderful!
If you make the cut: -
*Return flights to Melbourne plus accommodation
*Meet Daryl, Plucka and the gang (but Red may ignore you!)
*And you’ll win a minimum of $500. Come first and it’s $2000!
Email redfaces@heyhey.tv and tell us what you do, what city you’re in and we’ll get back to you with an audition time.
5. Swing dancing Gig Guide…thanks Ben!
For
those of you headed to Canberra there's some fantastic music to be had
over weekend. Those who frequent Unity Hall will know Dan Barnett -
he's playing with the Spectrum Big Band on Saturday night, which should
be a treat. But just because we're exporting some talent to the Capital
City doesn't mean there isn't some great music, and great dancing, to
be had at home this weekend.
Friday 12
Swing Pit @ St Stephens Hall, Church St, Newtown from 9.15pm, $6
Not
only is there some great dancing at Swing Pit, you may even experience
some late night swing dancing after the Pit - though not to the music
we normally dance to ;)
Bridge City Jazz Band @ Club Ashfield, 1-11 Charlotte St from 7.30pm, FREE
Saturday 13
Bob Henderson Jazz Band @ Tailors on Central, Mary St, Surry Hills from 4-7pm, FREE
Looking
for a way to spend a lazy Saturday arvo? Then come check out this band
just around the corner from Central Station. There's plenty of room on
the dancefloor and comfy couches.
Sunday 14
Freddie Mack's Jazz Band @ Cronulla RSL 38 Gerrale St, Cronulla from 1.30pm, FREE
Unity Hall Jazz Band @ Unity Hall Hotel, 292 Darling St, Balmain from 4-7pm, FREE
It was great to see so many dancers out at the Dan Barnett Big Band last Sunday.
Thursday 18
Sydney Sound Big Band @ Rockdale RSL, 45 Bay St, Rockdale from 7.30pm, FREE
Rockdale's best kept secret is this great Big Band and some mid-week dancing.
Have a gig to add to the guide? Then drop me a line at bob.penguin@gmail.com
6. Links, legends, birthdays and other swing goodness!
a. Legend of the Week
Tatham for helping out at Newtown – even with a broken foot! Thank you!!
b. Wedding of the week
Wedding Wishes!
Another great event this week with Andy and Tam
(Newtown/North Sydney/Balmain) getting hitched in the Blue Mountains on
Monday! The bride and groom looked beautiful and were beaming with
excitement that their day had finally come! They are now off to Vegas
to win their millions!! Congratulations and good luck at the 1c
machines!
From all of your SP Friends
c. Birthdays of the week
Wonderfully warm wishes to those who are having birthdays this week including Carina Lenette Henrilsen, Kelly Ann Doll, Paula Spice, and Romi Villanueva.
d. Link of the week to the Photos of the week!
Wonderful photos by Gunther Hang of Blues Before Sunrise
Grab a coffee & click HERE . Click slideshow, options, slow & then enjoy!
Join Sydney SP on facebook HERE
Have a great week,
The whole SP team
www.swingpatrol.com.au
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