EVERY WEDNESDAY NIGHT we have social swing dancing at the Loaded Hog on Manchester Street in Christchurch from 9:30PM - everyone is welcome to come along and watch or join in! Fat Eddie's on Fridays Some of the hepcats have started hanging out at Fat Eddie's jazz bar (in South of Lichfield square above the Toast cafe) on Fridays from 7-10pm - join us for drinks, dancing and super-cool New York style retro jazz surroundings! Be sure to check their web site for whether or not a good swing band is on! Next set of classes start Wednesday May 28th 2008 See the Classes page for more details - come along and bring your friends! Please inform me of upcoming events! Yeah, yeah we know, the anticipation is killin' ya.....but the wait will be worth it! Get off the couch and join us for these great upcoming swingin' events! Remember to support swing by making the effort to get to these events (especially the local ones!!). We also regularly invite international teachers to New Zealand - make sure you don't miss out on these opportunities! -------------------------------------------------------------------- UPCOMING CHCH EVENTS YOU DON'T WANT TO MISS! 30'S NIGHT AT FAT EDDIES Thursday 8th May, 7.30pm Fat Eddies, SOL Square "Cole Porter and Me" are being expanded into a live gin-joint 5 piece: standup bass, percussion and guitar, with Lisa Tomlins out front singing... they'll be doing NZ covers, things like Salmonella Dub, The Datsuns, Dave Dobbyn, Sharon O'Neill, Concord Dawn etc... but in the 30s style... so lots of things to swoon, sway and swing to. A few of us checked out these guys last week and they were FANTASTIC!! Don't miss out, come dressed in 1930's gear and make a night of it! BLUES WORKSHOPS June 13th-15th Mike and Laura, reknowned blues teachers from Austin Texas will be swinging (or bluesing!) by to see us, fresh from teaching at Swing Patrol's upcoming "Blues Before Sunrise" exchange in Melbourne. Details for workshops will be announced soon, in the meantime block out this weekend (including Friday night 13th June) in your diary! BIG BAND FESTIVAL 2008 July 30th - August 3rd A full on weekend (and more!) of dancing! Last year was a blast, this year will be even better. On the cards so far is: + LOTS of live band dances (including the Battle of the Bands) + Workshops with Bill Borgida + Great social events (Laserstrike, maybe wine tour + hotpools!?) Stay tuned... confirmed details will be announced at the start of May! -------------------------------------------------------------------- UPCOMING NZ EVENTS SWINGSTATION INAUGURAL BALL Saturday 7th June Auckland A 'Black & White' themed swing ball, in a stunning venue with a live band so why not make a special trip up and join the Aucklanders on the dance floor. Tickets are now available ($50 each), go to www.theswingstation.co.nz to reserve yours! WINDY LINDY 2008 - PINUPS & POSTER BOYS Saturday 30th August Wellington Mark this date in your diaries... it’s time to start planning outfits and routines for Full Swings’ Annual Dance Extravanganza!! Workshops, dance competition, and best dressed! More details to be announced soon, so keep an eye on www.fullswing.co.nz. NZX008 – A KIWI AS EXCHANGE Friday 31 October – Sunday 2 November Auckland Run by Jitterbugs in Auckland and located just 30 minutes south of the CBD. The website is now up and running so check it out www.jitterbugs.co.nz/nzx008. This year is bigger and better than ever! They’re even going to introduce a Balboa stream (dependant on interest) on top of the two Lindy Hop streams. If you register and pay by 30 April, you’ll also receive a FREE t-shirt. -------------------------------------------------------------------- UPCOMING INTERNATIONAL EVENTS DEVIL CITY SWING 2008 27th-29th June Hobart, Tasmania Expect the Tassie's to cram more social dancing, live jazz/blues/swing bands and smokin' Dj's in to one weekend than you ever thought possible! Events will mainly be centered in Hobart, though the Saturday night ball will have you leaving the bright lights of the capital city and venturing north for a night of devilish delights. It would be a sin not to come! Go to www.devilcityswing.com to sign up before all the early bird ticket prices disappear! PLUS OTHER DATES TO BEAR IN MIND... ** Blues Before Sunrise, Melbourne, 6-9 June Go to http://mel.swingpatrol.com.au/ ** Canberrang, Canberra, 7-10 Aug Go to http://www.jumptown.org/Canberrang/ ** Balboa on the River, Brisbane, 11-14 Sept ** Church City Blues, Adelaide, 17-19 Oct Go to http://www.churchcityblues.com