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You can’t beat dancing to live music! I recently attended two dance weekends (Jumptown Jam in Canberra and Blues Before Sunrise in Melbourne) and was inspired by the passion the musicians shared with us. Seeing a musician beaming after delivering a fantastic performance and dancers calling out for more is magic. You don’t have to travel to experience the magic; I went to Unity Hall Hotel in Balmain on Sunday afternoon and caught the last set of the amazing Dan Barnett Big Band. The dance floor was packed, the local punters were enjoying the music and dancing, and everyone was having a great time. Next stop for great live music to dance to: Meet the Scene Ball. Be sure to chat to the musicians and thank them for the music they share with us.
Chris Kearns
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1. What's Coming Up?
a. Swing Pit - This Friday
Get your social dancing prepped, pumped and primed at the Swing Pit tomorrow night before the big Meet the Scene Ball. Great DJs to get your toes a tappin' and your hands a clappin' until you just gotta swing out!
8pm – Level 1 Total beginners class
9pm – Social dancing
*ALL WELCOME*
St Stephens Church Hall
189 Church Street
Newtown
More info
b. Juke Joint
Thank you for coming out last Thursday to Sydney’s newest blues dance venue! The response was huge and overwhelming. You could feel everyone’s excitement about having a new night to get outta the house, catch up with new friends and dance the blues.
Juke Joint could NOT have been a success without a group of people who deserve your thanks and slaps on the back for a job well done. Tom Frazier for his warm, energetic teaching (don’t forget if you want that Blues Certificate…), the DJs – Catherina Behan, Sam Carroll and Alli Payne for absolutely bringing the vibe with their AWEESSSOOMMMEEE music and our door dudes ‘The Daves’ Dave Cheney and Dave McLachlan for setting the tone of the night with their laidback and lovin’ it attitude.
‘Cheesecake of the Month’ Competition was launched and we have our first winner! Wanna know who? Check out our Facebook page to see the results!! (Just get your photo taken in your best ‘cheesecake’ pose on the Juke Joint lounge and you could win this dubious accolade next month!)
Juke Joint is on the first Thursday of every month – see you on 7 June!
c. SP Newtown
Continuing with our 8Beat ‘FUN’damentals class it's never too late to jump in. We have good moves and techniques for social dancing in L2 and some advanced theory (and practice) in L3.
d. SP Paddington
Next week we’re teaching 8 beat in Level 1.
Come and learn the dance that many consider the cornerstone dance of swing dancing. In Level 2 we’re going to use the energy we create from stretch and compression to have some fun with moves that go “boing”!
e. SP North Sydney
We’re having a Blues class next Tuesday 15 May at North Sydney!
f. SP Petersham
We’re very excited about Frankie Fest, and have been poring over footage to put together this month of Frankie Manning themed classes:
7:30pm: More of Frankie Manning’s signature moves – the sort that make you distract you from their difficulty with lolls
8:30pm: We’re done with the shim sham (but are we ever done with shim sham, really?) and are refining the Tranky Do to performance standard with staging and final styling.
g. SP Balmain
Thanks everyone for coming along to class this week to celebrate 1 year of Ryan & Avril teaching at Balmain. It’s been a great year and we’ve learned just as much as our students! Next week we’ll be continuing our 8-beat focus in both levels. We’ll also be practicing our social dancing skills in preparation for the Meet the Scene Ball.
6:45pm – Level 1: Side by Side Charleston
7:45pm – Level 2: Learn some floorcraft tips and tricks before the Meet the Scene Ball
8:45pm – Blues...
2. SP Events
a. Meet the Scene Ball
Saturday May 19th
Balmain Town Hall
8.00pm ‘til late
$25 in advance or $30 at the door
Click HERE for more info & to book your ticket!
*ONLINE TICKET SALES CLOSE NEXT WEDNESDAY 16 MAY AT 5.00PM*
*Free lesson
*Live band - Brad Child Quartet
*Shim Sham
*Group Charleston
*Performances
*Dress in your venue's colours
Interested in getting in for FREE?!
We’re looking for people to help pack up the hall after the ball, and to thank you for your services, we’d like to give you free admission. Please email kerrynh@swingpatrol.com.au for more details.
b. The Little Big Weekend with Georgia & Kieran
Georgia and Kieran, two of Melbourne’s most popular and exciting dancers are teaching three intensive workshops on Saturday. Specialise in one area in one class, or develop your dancing skills across the board with solo jazz, lindy hop and blues.
Then take your new skills to the social dance floor at the Meet the Scene Ball with Brad Child’s band.
**Register Online NOW!**
When: Saturday 19th May
Where: Balmain Town Hall, Sydney
Cost: $60 for a full day of classes
c. The Shiny Stockings Ball Weekend: Remembering a Legend (Melbourne)
26 May 2012 - 27 May 2012
Please join us in Melbourne on 26 May to celebrate the birthday of Frankie Manning and pay tribute to this remarkable man and ambassador of lindy hop. Your host, Ramona Staffeld, together with Steven Mitchell and Frankie's son, Chazz Young will bring the spirit of jazz alive with stories, movies, workshops, laughter and dancing. Make sure you are there to share in this unforgettable event.
Read more
3. Swing dancing Gig Guide… thanks Chrissie!
This week swing-a-holics can get their fill starting this Thursday with the Sydney Sound Big Band at Rockdale. Next stop, Friday, take to the floor at Swing Pit in Newtown. Now that you're warmed up, head on down to The Roxbury on Saturday for more dance joy. Last stop, Sunday, don't let Mothers' Day disrupt your lindy obsession. Bring your mums with you and sneak in a dance or two at Unity Hall, or Lizzotte's with Emma Pask, on Sunday. Enjoy!
More gigs and all details in the blog.
4. Links, legends, birthdays & other swing goodness
a. Legend of the week
Our fabulous Juke Jointer Justine for putting together an incredible opening night. We eagerly look forward to mo' betta blues.
b. Birthdays of the week
Happy Birthday to Aimee Horne 11-May, Alesia Bourner 15-May and Kath Kirchner 16-May. Put on your party hats and dancing shoes!
c. Link of the week
A lovely interview with Paul & Sharon Overton from Bobby White's blog, Swungover.
d. Quote of the week
"I've travelled around the world trying to spread the word of Lindy Hop because Lindy Hop is such a wonderful dance to do. I would like for everybody in the world to do it and be happy like me."
Frank Manning
e. Clip of the week
Guess who's coming to MSF (Melbourne Swing Festival) in June 2013?
MSF 2013 Teachers
f. Photos of the week
Chris and Alice taught two fabulous classes at the GI Dance, Victory in Europe at Elizabeth Bay House last Friday.
Steppin' out
Victory!
Stylish swing outs
Chris & Alice
Have a great week,
The whole SP team
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