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INDEX
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1. Latest News
2. SP Events
3. What’s On
4. Links, Legends, Birthdays, Odds & Ends
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CLASS VENUE DIARIES
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TIMETABLE |
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EVENTS
Straighten Up & Fly Right II: Air Steps for Everyone - Feb 25
Blues Before Sunrise - April 20-22Meet the Scene Ball - May 12
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***Please care for our wonderful venues ***
Sadly, once again we all need to remind ourselves that we need to respect and care for the venues we hire. One of the fabulous things about Swing Patrol is the diversity of venues we have the privilege to use. Halls, studios, clubs, pubs - it's wonderful to learn to dance in such an array of places. We're not just located in one studio, but in a myriad of places around Melbourne.
This is all at the goodwill of the venue owners. Often they give us discounted rent and expect us to treat their place with care as any visitor would. Sadly SP does not have a good reputation regarding this and after cleaning up piles of junk, bottles, shoes, cardigans, foodstuffs after our events and classes, I know how it can be…
This week I received a lovely but pleading letter from my good friend David Backler of the Tiki Bar. He loves us dearly but is pleading particularly to the SUNDAY BLUES DANCERS to care for the venue. After having us in on Sundays he's encountered:
* broken lights
* food wrappers & bottles brought in from outside ("We frequently discover bottles of beer, cider, cans of pre-mixed spirits, that have been smuggled into the bar. All of which can get us and the perpetrator charged under the liquor licensing act. Food wrappers and containers, bottles of soft drink and water brought in by Swing Patrol and stuffed down the sides of chairs and underneath...")
* Disdainful arrogance in the attitude of the dancers ("If a member of the general public is warned about such things, they quickly acquiesce. When swing dancers are asked politely not to bring soft drink to the bar, it usually results in sulky defiance.")
We have been kicked out of this venue (and others) in the past due to such behaviour. I know this is hard and uncomfortable to read, and if you disagree about the behaviour of the dancers, I'm afraid that is really beside the point - we'll still get kicked out again!
Last time it took me 3 years of mending the relationship and building trust to then use the venue for Balpit. Please, please please, do not bring drinks and food into a bar. Any bar. I know we are used to carrying bottles with us wherever we go, and I'm sure the behaviour is not deliberate or malicious, but we need to be mindful of where we are.
We've been kicked out of several venues for this regardless of who is right or wrong. We can change the behaviour together, develop a more caring culture and retain the wonderful venues we dance in. I know in my heart that the current community can be more caring and respectful than those dancing 10 years ago who were more naive, did not change the behaviour, and we were asked to leave. There is no blame or fault or anything. We just need to be more aware, careful and realise we're at someone else's house. Over the years, Forever Dance, Dance Dynamics, CBD nightclub, Bridie O'Reillys, Tiki Bar have all given us this recurring feedback. This is not the first time or a one-off occurrence by any means.
So what do we need to do? It's time to build the relationship!
* Be nice and courteous to all bar staff and follow their direction regardless of what you think of it - it's their venue.
* Don't take food and drink to the venue.
* If you have a drink bottle in your bag - leave it in your bag.
* If you need to eat, go and eat elsewhere and do not bring rubbish into the venue.
* Make sure you leave the room as you find it. They should not even know we've been there.
I have been friends with David for close on 20 years. It is solely this history together that allowed us back to the venue. If we get kicked out again there will be no going back. My friendship with David would not suffer; we're both more mature than that, but it would be a very sad day. I understand the minutiae of the legalities, but this is about respect and how people treat people. Not about what's legal or arguing the toss. ("But it is really not just the legalities we are concerned with . It is the spirit, honour and respect (or lack of) shown by the dancers.")
Last word from David: "We absolutely love the teachers and the gorgeous music and dance and Swing Patrol. Please encourage the people of Swing Patrol to show respect to the venue, which is unique in its blend of being a "dancer friendly", high level cocktail bar, with fabulous ambience. We need your support both as a hirer of the venue, and also as an ambassador of the unique and beautiful "Tiki Bar""
Love to all.
Claudia
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1. Latest News
a. Club Maxie's returns this Friday!
If you want to shuffle in Melbourne, shuffle to swing music!
If you want to learn more about the shuffling dance called Balboa, Club Maxie's is here to help - now offering Melbourne's second regular Balboa class from 7.30pm this Friday. Brush up on the basics, refine your technique, encourage your friends to join the Balboa family. To teach our inaugural class this week we are delighted to welcome 3-time Australian Balboa Champions John Wharington and Denise Cox.
After class, social dancing galore courtesy of guest DJ and Swing Patrol superstar Keith Hsuan. Guaranteed great music to tempt you on to the Maxie's dance floor.
All that, plus the promise of baked goods and pizza - where else would everybody want to be?
WHEN: from Friday 24 February 2012 - every other Friday (not Fun Pit weeks)
WHERE: Prahran Club - 258 High Street, Prahran
HOW MUCH: $15 for a class 7.30-8.30pm, $6 for social dancing 8.30-11pm
** remember social dancing is FREE if you join in the lesson **
Check out the Swing Patrol website for more details and FAQs:
Join Club Maxie's on Facebook
b. Blues Night
Facebook
Great to have Andy Fodor in the house last Sunday. He & Shob will be back for all of March!!
Guest Teacher: Paul Manel is an amazing dancer from Boston. Paul loves teaching blues and can’t wait to share ideas with you!
6:30pm Level 2: Tango Inspired Blues
7:30pm Level 1: Simple steps to a great beat!
8:30pm Social dancing to DJs GEORGIA & MANON!
Sunday March 4th, LIVE MUSIC for BLUES DANCING!
Join us for an amazing night with the Hardluck Hobos, Geelong bound folk/blues band.
Facebook
c. Melbourne CBD @ The Exford
A new team! A new night! Commencing March 6th the Exford class will be moving from Mondays toTUESDAYS with new teachers Jarrod Bates and Julia Loennendung!
Why?
It suits the team better and the venue was happy with it too. Given the number of classes on a Monday night it might suit you better too!
* Final Monday night Exford class: 27th Feb
Yes, we are still on for 1 more week on the Monday night!
* First Tuesday Night Class: 6th March
6.30pm – Level 1 Absolute Beginners welcome
7.30pm – Level 2 Intermediate
8.30pm – Social dancing
Stay tuned for the big opening night party - see below
d. North Melbourne
(Czech House – Thursday nights)
Lindy Hop Fundamentals Course (Week 2)
Join Shob and Andy as they run one of their most popular class series of 2011 – Lindy Fundamentals. This course will run for a several weeks, each week working on 2 beats of the 8 beat basic. Build/tweak your 8 beat swing out with technique while adding moves and variations along the way.
PLUS - We’re very excited to announce our first LIVEmusic night of 2012 on THURSDAY MARCH 8th. We are featuring a band formed from some of our favourite Nth Melb regulars playing for us for the first time...The HRB Strongheart band!!!
So mark it in your calendars for a great night of live music.
e. Swing Patrol South Yarra
Joel and Laura are teaching an 8 beat lindy hop drop in course in Level 1, and an ALL NEW Level 2.5 class on Monday nights at Swing Patrol South Yarra!
7pm Level 1pm – 8 beat lindy hop for beginners - no experience necessary!
For the next 3 weeks we will be learning the 8 beat lindy hop rhythm! Mastering this rhythm is essential if you are seeking to get out on the social floor and start social dancing, or moving up a level.
8pm Level 2.5 – Intro to lindy hop & blues
For the next 3 weeks, we will be focusing on bringing the lindy hop and blues styles together, to give you an opportunity to explore how they can function together. This will be fun, challenging and hopefully open your swing world!
f. Swing LIVE - Shirazz are back!
Facebook
LIVE MUSIC at First Floor, 393 Brunswick st Fitzroy.
Wednesday March 14th, 2012!!
Put the date in your Diary. Not to be missed night of swingin’ sounds!
2. SP Events
a. Last Chance to "Fly Right"
Amazing aerials workshop on this Saturday. Be sure to sign up & get the last spot left! This workshop is great for total beginners & all levels.
Registrations Close 5pm Thursday Feb 23rd
Click HERE to register
Saturday February 25th
10.30am - 5.00pm
Tango Tambien (former Church),583 Orrong Rd, Cnr Wynnstay rd,Prahran/Armadale
$25 per session per person or $80 per person for the whole day
10.30am - 11.45am "Intro to Aerials Technique" - Lifts, Jumps & Timing
12.00pm - 1.15pm "The Scarf" - Fun new aerial, looks amazing but very safe!
1.15pm - 2.15pm LUNCH
2.15pm - 3.30pm "The Frankie (the lamp post)" - Hellzapoppin classic.
3.45pm- 5.00pm "Bang for your Buck" - fun & flashy tricks great for jams.
b. The Exford (Melbourne CBD)
All New Opening Night, 6 March 2012
*A new(ish) venue!
*A new team!
*A new night!
What better way to welcome all things new than with aPARTY!!!
New CBD teachers, Jarrod Bates and Julia Loennendung, would like to invite you to STFO at their Opening Night Social Dance!
The night will feature a performance from Melbourne’s very own Harlem Shout, guest DJ Kieran Yee blasting some sweet tunes, and door prizes (we've got 2 Tuba Skinny CDs to give away!) for some lucky attendees. This is a night not to be missed!
So come on down to the Exford on Tuesday 6 March to check out our great floor, have a drink at the bar, and dance, dance, dance as we launch swing dancing in the CBD for 2012 the only way we know how: by dancing our pants off!
6.30 pm - Level 1 class with Jarrod + Julia
7.30 pm - Level 2 class with Jarrod + Julia
8.30 pm - All New Opening Night Social Dance
J + J
c. Blues Before Sunrise
…GOLD passes are still available in each level. Book your spot today!
www.bluesbeforesunrise.com.au
Do you like to sing? Play the kazoo? Washboard, drums or tambourine? Maybe even a sax or trombone?!? Or like to blues dance to live music?
Join us in BBS’s first “Jazz Jam”! Everyone is welcome. Saturday late night, April 21st from midnight.
BBS 2012 T-shirts on sale NOW. Get your event souvenir! You can never have enough t-shirts for dance!!
3. What’s On
a. Sweet & Hot 2012
A Lindy Hop and Balboa Workshop Weekend
March 2nd-4th 2012
Welcome to the 2nd year of Sweet & Hot! With no MSF in 2012, here is a great chance to benefit from international teaching and quality workshops.
*Lindy Hop workshops with two of the world's TOP LINDY HOP dancers and instructors, Ramona Staffeld & Todd Yannacone.
*Balboa workshops with two of the worlds leading up and coming international teachers, Heather Ballew & Kenny Nelson.
*BEGINNER Lindy Hop Track with Joel & Laura.
The two evening dances will rock your socks, including the unprecedented Sweet & Hot Jazz Joust, with two dance bands playing solid live music all night long at the Thornbury Theatre!
www.sweetnhot.com.au
b. Swing Station- A Night of Hoppin' Mad Jazz at The Substation
Saturday, March 10
7:30pm
The Substation, 1 Market Street, Newport
Tickets: $30
Let’s party like its 1939!! Dress up and swing out for Swing Station – A Night of hoppin’ mad Jazz at The Substation. Featuring Melbourne’s premiere swing big band, Steve Purcell's Pearly Shells Swing Orchestra. There’ll be a complimentary swing dance lesson to get you started, swing dance performances, Melbourne’s finest swing DJs, as well as our Fly Me To the Moon Cocktail Bar and Photographica Magnifica Photo Booth. Dust off your vintage frock, suit up and step back in time to the Golden Age of Jazz at Swing Station.
All proceeds go to creating a new theatre space at The Substation
www.thesubstation.org.au
c. Shirazz Album Launch
Shirazz - swingin' trad jazz and New Orleans groove - returns to Red Bennies to launch their long-awaited second album: Enjoy Responsibly.
Shirazz headlines an all-20s night of performances including burlesque, circus arts and vaudeville.
Where: Red Bennies, 373 Chapel Street South Yarra
When: Saturday 25 Feb 9pm
How much: $10 if you say you're there to see Shirazz. $10 for CDs.
More info
4. Links, Legends, Birthdays, Odds & Ends
a. Legend of the week
Denise Cox - a baroness of the balboa, door gal duchess, right royal DJ, marquess of Club Maxie's and a doyenne of glamour. We officially annoint her a legend.
b. Birthdays of the week
Happy Birthday to Nicole Smith 21-Feb, Cinnamon Dixon 22-Feb, Carol Roberts 24-Feb, Gary Newvine 23-Feb and Lindsay Andrews 23-Feb. We wish you a day of joyous celebration and birthday hugs galore!
c. Baby of the week
Congratulations and blessings to Josh, Calandra and Elijah on the welcome addition of son Gaspard to their family. Our love and very best wishes to you all.
d. Link of the week
Our thoughts are with the people of Christchurch this week as they mark the 1 year anniversary of the earthquake. We send a shout out to our NZ swing dancing friends across the ocean...
The Swingtown Rebels
e. Clips of the week
Lindy Hop Stop Motion Animation
And here's the clip it's based on: -
Max and Annie
f. Photo of the week
A vintage pic of Collingwood Town Hall back in the day showing its original decoration before the renovations of the 1930s.
c. 1906 Ruby Crichton's dancing class (Yarra Libraries)
See you out on the floor!
The whole SP team
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