We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the skies, seas and lands on which we teach, perform and share dance. Swing Patrol Brisbane operates on the unceded traditional lands of the Turrbal and Yuggera peoples. We pay our respects to their Elders, past, present and emerging and recognises the strength, resilience and capacity of all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Swing Patrol is committed to Paying The Rent https://paytherent.net.au/
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WHAT IS SWING DANCING?
Swing dancing was created by African Americans in the early 20th century. Swing dancing is often referred to as an ‘umbrella’ term, encompassing a varied range of styles danced to Swing music, and these styles are often mixed on the dance floor. Swing music had its heyday from 1935 to 1946, when Big Band swing music was at its peak in the United States, but has been around since the late 1920s. Today, it is experiencing a huge revival with modern musicians bringing new interpretations to the genre.
Swing dancing is generally a partnered (though not always), social dance which means we learn and dance with lots of different people. It’s a great way to make new friends while learning a new skill and getting fit!
HISTORY
Google “Swing” and you’ll get lots of different results. Most know it as a musical genre, which had its heyday from 1935 to 1946, when big band swing music was the most popular in the United States. But this jazzy, joyous music has been around since the late 1920s and, with musicians today giving it a modern twist, it’s truly back with a vengeance. Swing dancing encompasses a varied range of styles danced to that same music — they’re even often mixed on the dance floor. The mother of Swing dances is the Lindy Hop. This is the core dance taught by Swing Patrol, but we also pay heed to other vintage dances from the Swing family such as Balboa, Charleston, Blues and Solo Jazz. At Swing Patrol we are passionate about the amazing history and evolution of this dance.
SWING STARS
These are just three of the legends of Swing who introduced the world to Swing Dancing and without whom, we wouldn’t be dancing today!
FRANKIE MANNING
Swing dancer extraordinaire Frankie Manning was a leading dancer at Harlem’s legendary Savoy Ballroom where in the mid-1930s, he revolutionised the course of the Lindy Hop with his innovations, including the air step. Frankie was the star of this iconic swing dancing clip
Read more on our London website.
NORMA MILLER
Norma Miller – also known as the “Queen of Swing” – was the last surviving member of legendary performance troupe Whitey’s Lindy Hoppers and one of the greats of Lindy hop. Author, choreographer, comedian and actor, Norma worked in show business for over seven decades and continues to be an inspiration to Lindy hoppers around the globe.
check out the amazing night that swing patrol hosted the late norma miller, the queen of Swing dancing at the Hippodrome in the centre of London.
Read more on our London site.
JEAN VELOZ
Jean Veloz (born Jeannette Phelps) is an icon of the Hollywood style of Lindy Hop. After learning to dance with her brothers in the family living room, Jean’s career took off when she won a Hollywood dance contest, earning a Screen Actor’s Guild membership card and a dance cameo in the film Swing Fever (1943). Scott (our Sunshine Coast teacher) still says that his 90 seconds with Jean Veloz was the best dance experience he has ever had.
Read more about Jean.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
We acknowledge that the core dances we teach, perform and share come from African American and Black culture, as does the jazz music we love. We acknowledge that we do so without lived experience of this culture and are deeply grateful to be able to experience this amazing art form. We endeavour to continue educating ourselves about the historical, political and social context from which jazz and lindy hop grew, and in which it exists today. Understanding this helps us to honour the roots of the dance and music.
We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the skies, seas and lands on which we teach, perform and share dance. Swing Patrol Brisbane operates on the unceded traditional lands of the Turrbal and Yuggera peoples. We pay our respects to their Elders, past, present and emerging and recognises the strength, resilience and capacity of all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Swing Patrol is committed to Paying The Rent https://paytherent.net.au/ SAFE SPACES
We want to ensure everybody has a great and safe experience when they come swing dancing. Please have a read of our Code of Conduct and be aware of our Safe Spaces Procedure. Thanks in advance for reading
