The Big Bands (Feat. Jimmie Lunceford Orchestra)

Without the big bands of the Swing Era, the dance would not have developed the way it did. This is one of my favourite big band clip, featuring Jimmie Lunceford Orchestra playing Nagasaki, filmed probably in the late 1930s. One look at the band in this clip and you’ll understand why Jazz music reached its height in popularity and commercial appeal during this period in its history.

The music virtuosity, the sheer entertainment value of the performing musicians, and the foot-tapping rhythm of the music all contributed the success of Jazz in popular culture of the 30s and 40s in the United States of America – the golden era of Swing. This is what I miss about Jazz today – it’s accessibility, it’s joy, it’s power to engage and move the masses without compromising its musical quality and complexity.

NOTE: It is unfortunate that this clip was removed, for it was really one of my favourites, and it was a rare one at that…

Saigon Swings Workshops

The Jitterbug is so infectious it has spread even to saigon! I’ll be going up to teach a series of workshops there on the weekend of 20th sept, so if you’re looking to learn some swing and visit vietnam, here’s your chance to combine dancing with a holiday!

For more details of the workshop:

http://www.saigonswing.com/regForm2.html

And for a holiday

http://www.vietnamtourism.com/e_pages/news/index.asp

Feel free to contact me if you want more details about the workshop or even holidaying in vietnam! I’ve been to both Saigon and Hanoi and their environs, and would be more than happy to recommend some stuff!

Lindy Hop Beginners-Intermediate Course

Hi all!

There’s a new beginner-intermediate course beginning soon. If you’d like to join this but have never taken any lindy hop class before, do check out a taster that I am teaching at Esplanade’s Footwork: Dance Classes on Sept 7th (Sun) from 3-430pm. Tickets available at Sistic and Esplanade box office. Details for the new course below:

Lindy Hop Beginners’ Intermediate

Time to learn more cool moves to add to your dance repertoire! Learn the different types of swing dances like the Jig-walk and the Charleston, as well as other Lindy Hop variations, and put them all together with your partner. Basic knowledge of Lindy Hop is needed for this course. If you’ve taken the Intensive Workshops or any other Lindy Hop courses elsewhere, you will have no problems being a part of this course.

Course Details (pre-registration needed)

When: Every Wed (10/9, 17/9, 24/9, 8/10), 715pm – 845pm
Where: Performers’ Workshop, 29 Maxwell Road, red dot Traffic, #03-13
Cost: $130/person

Registration: email sinclair.ang@gmail.com