We’s shuffling things around a little for this weekend. Originally, we had planned to Hop the Hays as part of the London Bridge Festival, but we’re up for doubling the action this weekend.

So instead of Hop the Hays on Sunday, we’re Bombing the Bank instead on Saturday. Please note, however, that we’re changing venues and moving down river to More London, between Squares 1 and 2. All the action happens between 3 and 7pm, with Tom and Cicci giving a beginners lesson at 4pm. But if you wanted to dance on Sunday, we’re having another Swing Dance Picnic at Regent’s Park, courtesy of our very own Adrian McD. All the usual stuff including a lesson with Taina K. And guess what, all of this is free!

We apologise for the late notice on this, but this was due to some shuffling of venues. But we hope we’ve made up for it by organising double the fun!

Upcoming shows

Date	Time	Event	Venue	Map
Sat 11 Jul 2009	3:00pm	SDL: Bomb the Bank (part of the London Bridge Festival)	More London
Sun 12 Jul 2009	3:00pm	SDL Swing Dance Picnic	Regent’s Park

It’s been a while since we updated our directory on this site, so we’ve done a trawl and purge, and attempted to reformat it into a more user friendly format. Which wasn’t as easy as it should have been.

Anyway, if you want to have a look at our brand spaking new directory, see here

It’s bound to be the case that some of you will notice a mistake, or that you want us to add you on. If so, let us know by filling out our contact form.

Meanwhile, we’re off to reward ourselves with a cuppa whilst listening to some slow swing/blues.

If you can’t get enough of us, well it’s summer and we’re back with our new season of Swing Dance Picnics, courtesy of Adrian.

Set in Regent’s Park, you bring a picnic, we bring the music and we all dance! So come along for a bit of fun.

Date	Time	Event	Venue	Map
Sun 14 Jun 2009	3:00pm	SDL Swing Dance Picnic	Regent’s Park

Picture credit: Juliette Carter

Swing Dancers of London are very sad to hear that the legendary Frankie Manning passed away yesterday aged 94.

Frankie Manning was one of the pioneers of Lindy Hop, the dance that we’ve all come to love. Many of us have been honoured to have met him, many of us are very sad to not have had the chance, but we all are touched by the legacy he brought for us to enjoy.

A message from all of us Swing Dancers of London to Frankie: Your spirit lives on with all of us.

Links:
NY Daily News Obituary
Wikipedia profile: Frankie Manning

 

 
Photo: Wikipedia

SDL has loved organising Bomb the Bank over the last few years, but one annoying aspect of London is the weather (you can see a couple of soggy BtBs at http://www.youtube.com/lestmak).

But following last month’s successful Swing Out for Comic Relief at Hays Galleria, we may have a solution. Hays have kindly invited us back for a regular weekend swing out in the Galleria. What’s more it’s covered, yet still open air to the river, so it’s absolutely perfect for us!

Our first event is on Saturday 9 May and will run from 3-7pm. Then, we’ll follow it up with two more in June and July. For more details see the links below.

Date	Time	Event	Venue	Map
Sat 09 May 2009	3:00pm	SDL: Hop the Hays	Hays Galleria
Sat 06 Jun 2009	3:00pm	SDL: Hop the Hays	Hays Galleria
Sun 12 Jul 2009	3:00pm	SDL: Hop the Hays	Hays Galleria