Mar15-Dom & CB Lindy Workshop
Wednesday, 5. March 2008

Lindy Fundamentals with Dominic & Christina

You'll all recognise Dominic & Christina from your regular Friday night Leeds Lindy Classes well Saturday 15th Mar they're running a Lindy Dance workshop.

Love Swing? But still a little confused as to how it all works? We’ve split up the rules we use to dance with into 3 easily digestible chunks:

  ‘The Theory of Rotatability’ will look at how and why we turn using the swing frame and ways to better co-ordinate spinning bodies.

  ‘4215 Swingouts’ will, inevitably look at the Swingout (the MOST important move in Swing Dancing) and give you a few new methods of swinging-out. Estimated teachable amounts may be ambitious.

   ‘Re-learning to walk’ will pull apart and put back together Swing footwork and with a bit of luck give you an insight into the hows, whys and whats of when to step where.

    The workshop will be targeted at dancer of improvers to intermediates level, but hopefully more advanced dancers might find something to challenge them


15th February, 2008 Conference Room, Leeds University Union

11.00 - 12.30 "The Theory of Rotatability"
13.30 - 15.00 "4215 Swingouts (time allowing)"
15.30 - 17.00 "Re-learning to walk"

Whole event £10 / £8 concessions.


Feb29-LF Stays up late Social Dance
Thursday, 31. January 2008

   The 1st one of these was hugely successful so we' re pleased to bring you another.
    After the recent  success of Lindy Fridays (since our move to the town centre) we can now pretty much afford to run these each month (fingers crossed).
   This time it's in the wooden floored top level of the TownHouse (27 Crown St, Leeds LS2 7DA) Map.
   LindyFridays classes will run as usual from 7 - 8.45pm then afterwards we'll have dancing until midnight to live music from 'TC & the Swing Cats'.
   In keeping with our not-for-profit theme you get the whole lot for a bargainous £7!
  
   Again any DJ's who fancy putting on some tunes on the night. Please do get in touch. More about it on the Calendar.


Feb3-Al's Sunday Workshop & Dance
Wednesday, 30. January 2008

Lindy According to Al

You'll may know and love Al from your regular Friday night Leeds Lindy Classes
well this Sunday she's running the first of many Lindy Dance workshops

3rd February, 2008 Terrace Bar, Leeds University Union
14.30 - 16.00 Class 1 "Slow and Smooth"
16.30 - 18.00 Class 2 "Fast and Bouncy"
19.00 - 22.00 Chilled out Social Dance

Level: Improver upwards
1 class £5
2 classes £7

Social dance free
www.swingadingding.com

Facebook Group


Jan25-LF Stays up late Social Dance
Wednesday, 9. January 2008

   We're sooo excited about this! Almost 2 years in the making but after the recent  success of Lindy Fridays (since our move to the town centre) we are pleased to bring you our very own social dance right in the town centre.
   It's in the lovely wooden floored lounge in the basement of Tiger Tiger (117 Albion St, Leeds LS2 8DY) Map.
   LindyFridays classes will run as usual from 7 - 8.45pm then afterwards we'll have dancing until midnight.
   In keeping with our not-for-profit theme you get the whole lot for a bargainous £5!
   It's our first social dance so we'd welcome any DJ's who fancy putting on some tunes on the night. Please do get in touch. More about it on the Calendar.


Lindy Fridays vids return
Saturday, 1. December 2007

To save so much scribbling after class here the last few weeks classes 16th, 23rd & 30th November.


Not in the mood


Musicology


Kick the dog


Nov24-DA Dance Band @ Highwood
Saturday, 27. October 2007

   Michael, One of our Tiger Tiger Friday night regulars is hosting another live band night at the Highwood Hotel in Roundhay. You can book your tickets direct with Michael on 07894 291 736 or speak to Jo at the LindyFridays classes (who's holding some tickets).


The Highwood Hotel
Brackenwood Drive
Leeds
LS8 1RG (larger map)









Will run 8pm-12am and price will be £5. If you're one of the LindyFridays folks then we can also potentially offer you a lift there and back. We'll do a pick up in the town centre for those out of town folks that want to join along. Just get in touch to arrange something with us.

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Nov17-Future Sounds of Swing Camp returns
Saturday, 27. October 2007

The Future Sounds of Swing 
     For the 2nd time this year! Another fantastic dance camp courtesy of Al & CB with a sample of some of the UK's finest teacher. 2 days of teaching right here in Leeds for folks from Leeds and all over  the country with dancing on Friday night & even a Live band on Saturday night. It's got Matt & Lotte from Cambridge, Dan Baines & Sue Freeman & Lloyd from Newcastle. You'd be crazy not to!
   Plenty news being added all the time on their futuresoundsofswing site. If you are a student make sure you book soon. This size of  event doesn't often come to Leeds so it's an opportunity not to be missed.
   Bookings open now! £30 for students, £40 for non-students (includes Saturday evening do). If you just fancy coming to JUST the evening do this will cost £6. You can put your name down for this at the LindyFridays or getting in touch via e-mail jo@lindyfridays.com


That Salsa time of year
Tuesday, 11. September 2007

Apart from the recent popularity of our Wednesday night city centre Salsa dance classes for beginners and improvers there seems to be a lot of other interest this time of year in taking up dancing. One of the more unusual invites to teach we've had of late was at a private party at Nosh cafe in Meanwood. All ladies, but salsa seemed to go down very well and may soon become a new regular thing. We danced some Lindy after which was also popular so hopefully Lindy might also come to meanwood soon.

Some friends suggest the smoking ban is leading to more interest in dance as an alternative night out. I always think folks look for new things to occupy them come the end of summer and look to start a course or take up a new hobby. We'll put dance on the map yet I hope.

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Holistica Rehearsal
Tuesday, 11. September 2007

Now we have Dom Lea fresh back from 'JAPAN!!!!'  we're rehearsing with some of the other advanced dancers for some potential performance material. 4 hours this Sunday morning at 'Holistica' not far from the Playhouse. Would get fit quick with that kind of schedule. Hope we keep it up. Some footage of what we got up to here.

Look out for Dom bringing som excitement to a Leeds Friday Night Lindy Class near you soon.


 

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31st August Birthday Bash
Thursday, 30. August 2007

This Friday night 31st Aug, one of our Leeds Friday night Lindy regulars is having a birthday do at the Highwood Hotel (Brackenwood Drive, Leeds LS8 1RG map here) and if you're a Lindy Dancer you're invited.

The Mike Booth Big Band will be playing and there'll be dancing til late. There's a one class only  (7-8pm) at LindyFridays this week in Tiger Tiger and then we'll all head up to the Highwood for some dancing to the Swing band. Do get in touch if  you'd like a lift there.

Jo


Lindy Fridays Tiger Tiger launch
Friday, 10. August 2007

This went really well for our first night after no publicity. The big Leeds Lindy supporters turned out on our opening night to give their blessing. We got some new folks who looked up "Fun things to do in Leeds on a Friday night" on google and discovered our Friday night dancing to my delight. Glad all the work on our google rating has paid off. Team Hull made it over to visit us as ever and all the supporting regulars showed up to pick up some more Lindy.

Bought radio mics for us teachers but Tiger Tiger mixing desk let us down, so ofThe image “http://www.venues.org.uk/images/venueimages/logo_3998.gif” cannot be displayed, because it contains errors.f to purchase more special leads tomorrow to get us underway next week. Room is big and boomy with lots of echoes so shouting out at class is hard to make out. Hopefully next week we'll get it cracked.

We run Wednesday night salsa classes down at Tiger Tiger at the moment so will have a go with the new radio mics next time we're in.

Floor is concrete not wood in Tiger Tiger club but as most people fed back it was worth it for the improved atmosphere of a bar in the town centre versus the swarthmore centre. Felt much more like a night out.

If we turn enough regular punters each week we're hopeful we can run ocassional full friday night at Sports Cafe on the Headrow with full wooden floor and lots of hours of dancing so we don't have to quit at 9.30pm.

Please continue to support us and watch here or lindyfridays.com for news.


Search for a Venue
Wednesday, 8. August 2007

    Now we're back from Herrang and since there sounded like there were folks keen for more Fridays Lindy during the summer we've started to look for a new home for our Leeds Friday night Lindy dance fun. Intention of Lindy Fridays has always been to get Lindy back on the high street, to move it close as we can to the centre of town to make it available to anyone who goes out in town.

   These days, especially in  Leeds, Lindy is danced almost entirely at venues in theThe image “http://www.venues.org.uk/images/venueimages/logo_3998.gif” cannot be displayed, because it contains errors. city suburbs or in smaller towns outside Leeds. Our dream would be to have Lindy as an alternative night available right in the heart of the city alongside all the other clubs and pubs that enjoy all the popularity. Most people haven't heard of Lindy Hop dance or even if they have they'd rarely come across it being danced for real.

    We've approached close to 30 venues oif various size and suitability in Leeds town centre who all prices themselves differently. Some want a hire fee in advance, others demand a miniumum spend at the bar or minimum attendance. Almost invariably none are prepared to hire to you on a Friday night since it's so popular for events which can all guarantee more people than the modest following we have at the moment. So it's been quite a slog.

   On the look out for a new venue for the Wednesday Salsa classes in Leeds at the moment too. Since the sudden closure of Firefly and the demise of New2Salsa we've had a go at restarting with SalsaLeeds.com providing salsa classes for complete beginners and improvers each wednesday in Leeds city centre. Revolution on Millenium Sq have agreed to have us for the next few weeks until the students return after which we may be looking again for a new venue.

   Check back here for new venue progress for Leeds Friday night Lindy as well.


Aboyne Highland Games
Saturday, 4. August 2007



Like I always imagined a day at the cricket to be like, except with big lads throwing heaving hammer and big logs around in their kilts. We even saw Billy Connolly!

Aboyne Highland Games August 07
photos here

and a wee video


Herräng 07
Sunday, 29. July 2007

Plenty of footage of what we did. Winning no prizes for our less than polished attempts captured here.

         
Frankie Manning's class    Some mucking about          St. Louis Shag

         
Ukranians 1st class            Steven & Viginie's class     Ukranians 2nd class

       
Ukranians footwork            Heel Shag                               Heinrich & Joanna's 1st

          
Italians Fast Lindy                Heinrich & Joanna's 2nd     Social dancing @ 6am

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Lago Di Lugano
Saturday, 23. June 2007

 

   Looks just like it does on the photo. Liking it so much we extended trip for extra 4 days. Massages most days and biggest worry here is choosing which hammock or flavour of gelati you'll go for. Vix off attempting to bake herself in the sun since particularly hot today. Temperature (even after thunder storm here is above 24 Celsius).

   As far as holidays where you do nothing go, this one is pretty fantastic. After 4 days I can actually feel myself unwinding. Worry how I'll be able to rev back up to working life pace again when we get back. Have been getting VERY into my Sudoko's this week and new Marian Keyes novel (gosh it's getting good).

 

   So far we've met a pigeon with only one foot, a Lizard with a missing tail, and a very cute dog and the head waiter here is a proper cheeky game-show host sort called Carlo who nods and clicks his heels together like those bad sorts in the Indiana Jones movies and insists on calling Vicky "Mrs. Casey" (because it makes her squirm like you've just poured something icky down her back).

    Our favourite waiter is Angelo, who is all tanned and good looking and kindly translates the menu for us each evening. On his night off we got some rude fella whose name I didn't see but he did look a lot like Harry Potter (but shorter). Didn't make us feel very taken care of at all. Should clearly stick to being short and doing his magic.

   Vix has bought me a 'Nice Shirt' in the local village, in an attempt to make me look more like a responsible grown up presumably, for our trophy evening meals amongst the other smug couples. All well turned out of course. Have thus far fended off any attempts to get me in a sarong. But I did essentially wear a big skirt for the wedding so she does have a dangerously strategic foothold.

   Folks at this resort, although fairly well groomed and of healthy colour, aren't too fit and gorgeous to leave us feeling awful about ourselves. I think all that sort are thankfully flaunting it down the beaches. Despite a rigorous spell in the sun each day, my scottish shins remain flourescent enough to be seen from space. I'l be checking google earth for intimate shin-shots in future.

 

   We did get quite a nasty shock this morning when there was no fresh waffles at breakfast. Some shortage of cream to make the waffle mix our game-show host apologised quite dramatically with troubled frown and palms together as if praying for our forgiveness at the oversight. He looked like he might even squeeze a tear out at one point (god he's good at his job). Anyway some emergency cream was located and a limited ration of waffle mix was rolled out and out of nowhere kids and their parents swarmed like some feeding frenzy in the Serengeti and Vix barely made it out with half a nutella and sugar waffle intact. We're just about over the trauma now.

    In other news someone has stolen my swimming trunks. Thankfully I wasn't wearing them at the time (but I wouldn't put that past some of these 'locals'). I hope they are happy wherever they are / whoever is wearing them. My money is on Harry Potter.

 

   Al & CB left in charge of LindyFridays this week. Hopefully all went well. No way to contact us here if it didn't since mobiles have also run out of charge. Can't even get proper e-mail, hence the blog.

 

   Just about digested the big day now but eager to see some photos which Vix caved into internet before I did to see pics of her in big dress again. Day really does fly by. Feels lke it happened to someone else now. Facebook has been handy for some early photos and sneaky news from back home. Does feel very good being married. Still getting used to the ring and asking "have you seen my wife?".

 

   Have some proper noisy sex couple in next apartment to us. She reaches climax each night about half past midnight and they got so carried away the other night we heard them knock over and smash the glass bedside table (cost them 85Euro the massage woman told me). No sex for them last night since they were on the champagne (Yes, the walls are that thin). We're just disappointed they're not  younger and more spritely looking. They've left now and we have a screaming baby next door which is much more pleasant. I worry that it's telling, us preferring sound of screaming children to that of impassioned peaking? 

 

   Lovely Guiliana, who did our reflexology massages yesterday says we're both extremely emotional people but manage to control it. I'm more emotional than Vix apparently, do too much for others and not enough for me and have a bad back (which she could tell by looking at my feet).

 

   There's lots of Italian's and Swiss-Germans at the resort but only a handful of British and Americans. Vix has a theory that you can spot Italian men almost immediately because they wear the pointiest shoes. It's actually a fairly good indicator. They also say "Prego" lots for no apparent reason. I've started doing it too and may so graduate to "Allora" which you can also say before anything.

   Somewhat dissappointingly I realise that "Ciao Bella" roughly means "Hiya gorgeous" or in ancient Glaswegian "Howzit gaun, doll?".

 

   Every so often Vix will announced "It's time to go to the hammocks!" which makes me think of some softer girly version of The Godfather. Vix likes it when the hammock is swinging but that give me motion sickness so we now have a clever compromise. She swings the hammock. I get to feel sick. Cunning.

 

   Every town around here is called Menaggio, Bellagio or Spoonagio or some such. We're taking a boat to the one beginning with 'B' tomorrow. Vix surely needs to buy some new shoes by now.

 

   Being a proper nauseating freshly married couple though. Lie in the same hammock at the top of the camp most of daytime now, reading the same book, since Vix whizzed through her 1st novel and found a spare Marian Keyes one I'm reading here. Swaying gently in the sunshine, laughing at the same bits. I swear you'd puke (even if you aren't prone to motion sickness).

 

   We're missing Lindy dance and our friends back home but still loving being on holiday where you can do nothing all day. Takes a while to get into the swing of it but there's an art to doing nothing, I've decided. Plenty of fresh food, easy bowel movements, and lovely mountain views to enjoy while you pick up the necessary skills.

 

   Just counting the hours 'til the next massage...deep tissue today ,o) and then the ever difficult choice of frizzante or naturale with lunch?

 

Cheese