(Updated 2 July)

A couple of dance competitions are coming up in the future which the promoters would love you to join in with.

The London Swing Dance Society is holding their 20s Charleston Competition on Monday 7 July at their usual Stompin’ night. There will be Prizes will be awarded to the best professional and the best beginner, with the criteria being ability to dance to music, style & personality and variety of moves. No registration is needed, just turn up. For more details, see here.

But if that’s too soon, C-Jam celebrates its 8th birthday this year at the Bedford in Balham and is holding its first team Lindy hop competition. To be held on 2nd August, it’s anything goes, as long as you have a team of at least four. More details can be found from organisers, Swingland.

The Cotton Clubbers are hosting their Honey Pot Dance Battle just before Christmas, on Saturday 21 December. The rules have yet to be announced, but you can keep up to date with them through their event post on Facebook.

The Big Dance is back this summer and there will be yet another attempt to break the world record for the number of couples dancers on a dancefloor. This year, they’ve also teamed up with the Jiving Lindy Hoppers, so why not pop down and join in. Details as follows.

Help us break some dance world records on the 6 July!
The Mayor’s Office, BBC Blast and BBC London invite you to join in day of record-breaking attempts at Big Dance Breaking Records day. Erin Boag from BBC One’s Strictly Come Dancing will host this incredible day of free dance performances and classes on 6 July, 12 – 6.15pm in Traflagar Square.

Here are just some of the ways you can get involved. To take part in the record attempt you’ll need a coloured wristband. These can be collected on the day from 11am, so arrive in plenty of time. No experience needed…just turn up and dance!

Largest Bollywood Dance – 12:10pm –1.10pm
Hosted by BBC Asian Network’s Love Bollywood presenters Raj and Pablo, Sapnay School of Dance will deliver an amazing performance and lead the audience in this new world record. Learn the routine in a giant dance class on the square and attempt the record.

Most Couples Dancing in the Square - 2:10pm–3.10pm

Watch some inspiring partner dance performances including The Wheelchair Dancesport Association UK and the sensational Jiving Lindy Hoppers, then join a fun Jive class with the company who will teach you a short sequence with your partner. At the end of the class we hope to beat the record of 556 couples dancing simultaneously, so bring all your friends!

For the full programme of the day including free workshops, dance classes and performances, go to www.visitlondon.com/bigdance.

Last weekend (Saturday), some Swing Dancers of London were out and about, dancing to The Fabulous Swinging Chandeliers at Canada Square Park in Canary Wharf. Part of the City of London Festival, they rocked the park, whilst supported by a win for Andy Murray in his third round match at Wimbledon. Now that boy really can swing (a racket).

The FSC had played Stompin’ at the 100 Club earlier in the week, and many of us were glad to have this encore. There are further free events later this summer, including The Puppini Sisters at the Guildhall in London this Thursday, and the British Museum’s American Late on Friday.

Hope to see you there, but in the meantime, some photos can be found here.

The Fabulous Swinging Chandeliers