As the summer approaches, it means that as usual a number of free gigs pop up, which offer us a great chance to dance outdoors.

We’re more accustomed to the Southbank Centre offering swing dancers a chance to strut their stuff around Christmas, but this summer a couple of events have been organised. The Meltdown Lindy Hop on 11 June features workshops and social dancing with music from one of our favourite bands, Blue Harlem. Later in the month (25 June), the BBC Big Band play a gig with Claire Martin as their guest, which are usually recorded for their Monday night BBC Radio 2 show.

The City of London Festival is an annual event, and this year features three bands whom we all love to bits. First up are the yellow-suited Jive Aces, who will play an evening gig at New Street Square on 21 July. Kai’s Cats, featuring American songstress and Ronnie Scott’s resident, Kai Hoffman, play Devonshire Square in a lunchtime gig on 11 August, and one of London’s swing scene favourites, Rob ‘n’ Pete’s Swing Thing play Paternoster Square the day after.

And with our swing dance picnics (dates to be announced), it’s bound to be a fun summer. Are you feeling it yet?

Events coming up

Date	Time	Event	Venue	Map
Sat 11 Jun 2011	2:30pm	The Meltdown Lindy Hop	Clore Ballroom, Royal Festival Hall
Sat 25 Jun 2011	10:00pm	BBC Big Band with Claire Martin	Clore Ballroom, Royal Festival Hall
Thu 21 Jul 2011	6:00pm	The Jive Aces (Free gig – the City of London Festival)	New Street Square
Thu 11 Aug 2011	12:30pm	Kai’s Cats (Free gig – City of London Festival)	Devonshire Square
Fri 12 Aug 2011	12:00pm	Rob ‘n’ Pete’s Swing Thing (Free gig – COLF)	Paternoster Square