Six crazy days and one very defining week.
In September/October 2013 it was becoming really apparent that the Swing Patrol socials were getting really crowded. Our venues are great but still quite cozy. We started focussing our attention on large spaces to dance. No point sharing this dance all over London and then offering no where comfortable to dance!
After many meetings and lots of coffees with some very cool people from the Wam Bam Club, the Bishopsgate Institute and Wilton's Music Hall we managed to set in a place three joint ventures where we could secure these stunning and large places to dance. There is no way we could achieve our vision without these groups as the hire of such venues is prohibitive. At the start of last week we were nervous. We had taken a nervous and adventurous risk that the scene would grow in January. If the London dancers weren't ready to fill these spaces it all could go spectacularly wrong. Venues like the Bishopsgate Institute have no sound system so that involved some serious hiring of sound equipment and technicians. It's all these behind the scenes challenges that meant this week was quite momentous for us. If it worked it meant we may be able to play a role in really catering for the growing London swing scene and ensuring our fabulous Lindy Hoppers had room to swing out.
Jan 19th The first Super Swing Pit at the Bishopsgate Institute.
The Bishopsgate Institute were equally nervous. They had opened up the entire building for this event and had cautiously offered us two Sundays. The event sold out with over 300 people attending. It was incredible to see so many people dancing in a ballroom on a Sunday night that wasn't a Festival weekend. Marco from Berlin commented that many scenes wouldn't have this many dancers on a premier Festival weekend. The venue will be offering us further Sunday nights and we can't thank the dancers enough for literally making this a regular event by way of their support. We went for Bagels afterwards in Brick Lane. Some memories.
Jan 23rd Wilton's Music Hall
After the sell out Christmas event we were offered two evenings. The Valentine's Day and this random Thursday evening. How would this mid week event go? Would Wilton's expect the same result as Christmas? We didn't sell out but it was a smashing evening with 180+ people swinging away in this magical place. We went for Brick Lane bagels after the event and many continued dancing at Jamboree nearby. It is just such a wonderful environment to swing out in this venue. Some memories.
Jan 25th Red Rhythm at Wam Bam
A spectacular Ballroom in the middle of London with the possibility of us having this space on a fortnightly basis. The opening night had teething problems but nothing that can't be sorted for future events. The change over can be done a lot smoother in future but what a beautiful space to dance in. We had super feedback and the dancers loved the ballroom and the space. As Jess Coffin says: "Had an amazing evening dancing at the Bloomsbury Ballroom. A beautiful venue with incredible lighting and ambience and most importantly lots of room to swing out!" Again this was a crazy test and again the London dancers were so amazing and we all had room to swing out to our hearts content. Now we have had one event there we know what to do to improve this evening so it should be fantastic going forward. We went for Brick Lane bagels afterwards. (Photos to come. )
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We did it! The week has passed and we can't thank the London dancers enough for supporting these three evenings. It has been an exhausting and exhilarating week and in our eyes a really defining week where our community stepped forward in a resounding way. Thanks everyone.. we owe you a massive thanks and quite a timely week with our fifth birthday celebrations this Saturday night.
Scottie
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