Being an Aussie swing dancer in London.

It is an amazing experience being Australian in London. In so many ways our countries understand each other and we always have cricket and rugby to banter about .. but in so many ways we are worlds apart on our outlook on life. Neither better than the other.. just makes dinner parties fun!  When I first arrived just two years ago a few things struck me: 

1. What accent? 

2. Where are the English? 

2. Being chilled..us? 

3. Are we crazy?

4. Who is funnier?

5. Don't talk about sex or money

1) We had an accent and a funny one. 

No one on our island thinks we have an accent or talk funny. It's only when you immerse yourself here and people start mimicking you that the realisation hits in the face like a bulldozer. We do sound funny.. we do shorten way more words that we should. " What should we do this avo Wazza?"   Then students start laughing at you when you sue words like " dagga " and " what a ripper of a move." … you soon learn to your amazement that these are crazy Aussie words that we must have made up somewhere over the last 200 years. 

Of course the whole topic has balance and we can't figure out how there can be so many English accents on one small island and to our fascination.. the accents come with a range of associations. We love chatting about your super accents ( because we don't really have one.. ) and it's always great fun at a pub trying to do a Cockney accent.  My name is Scott… and in West London there is an emphasis on the "tt" at the end of my name. When I arrive home in East London the "tt"s have been swallowed.. " Sco''ie" .. in one city.. one short tube ride. This will never cease to amaze me. 

2. Where are the English? 

I am from Melbourne and we say we are a really cosmopolitan city and it is. London though is a whole new level and I used to count how many languages I would hear in a day. It felt like a big party ( sort of like Herrang Dance Camp ) when I arrived here and was so amazed at how many people lived here from every corner of the world.  I think this makes the English really open minded and accepting. When I talked to dancers i Paris about why they all loved London so much they talked about the great open spirit of London and the lack of judgement.  I think London and Londoners should be really proud of London today and its truly cosmopolitan spirit. Yes London has it's challenges like all big cities and a rather sinister underbelly that you have to be aware of .. but us Aussies love  and embrace London. 

2 ) Being chilled out. 

We also had no idea that we were actually more chilled out than most groups and we just thought the whole world were as relaxed as us.. until we arrived. Actually having a reputation for being " cruisy " and " easy going " is kind of cool but I can assure you .. we leave the stressed ones on the island. The English put themselves down a lot and openly say they are uptight, anxious and awkward. I don't really see that in East London and think the crowd are the coolest in the world .. the ones not trying to be cool anyway. 

We do see it from time to time when we get a frustrated email that I know would not have been an issue in Australia. I do think the Brits are more cautious about social dancing and the fear factor of their first steps in the wide world is greater. I sometimes wish we could get my students to embrace social dancing a little more with crazy abandon no matter what the outcome. The fear of feeling silly or out of ones depth are strong here..but hey.. this is an island that ruled the world once so maybe this care and caution has stood the Brits in good stead!

3) Are we crazy? 

So many English have said .. word for word .. " Why on earth would you leave all that sunshine to live here..?"

It's true.. Aussies find the London winter cold and long and you don't appreciate your sunny climate until you leave it. 

LIfe is more than a sun tan though and we love being so close to Europe and falling over the amazing history of London. I am still amazed when I know I can be in another country in an hour.. that is amazing.

I caught a train recently to Brussels and was there in 90 minutes. When you come from an big island hours from almost everywhere.. this is a stunning feature of living here. 

Australia has some fascinating history but every week I enjoy some new and crazy historical fact that I learn from a cabbie, a dancer , a tour.. or even a book!

4) Who is funnier?

We think we are funny.. and we like to laugh a lot but I wasn't expecting the fantastic English humour to be such a part of society. From cabbies, football crowds to individuals in classes.. the English are funny and I love it. It's one of the best things about living here. LIke Aussies don't think we have an accent.. I don't think the English realise how great the general sense of humour is here.  Back on our island the English ( affectionally known as the Poms) are called the " Whinging Poms" but when you live here.. you meet a whole other side of the English. Progressive, environmentally aware, politically aware and thoroughly impressive in so many ways. 

5) Don't talk about sex or money

I can see why the English perceive us Aussies as loud and brash at times. It's partly because we are quite open and if we have a problem.. we will probably tell anyone that is happy to listen. We don't have the social boundaries that you see here so often. The English may love sex and money but they seem to have  a code of conduct where it is not really discussed out openly.  Which one is better? I am still unsure but I do miss the crazy Aussie chats and openness at a dinner table in Melbourne. However I certainly appreciate the discretion of the English and choosing to share with the closest of friends only.  Yes of course.. this one in particular is  massive generalisation.. I know it! 

I could go on and on,, but by now I doubt if anyone is still reading so I will now spend my energies to talk our posh Chris  Gammie into writing something about what it's like to be a Londoner working, teaching and dancing with an Aussie run dance group. Come on Chris.. we need your help!

Scottie 

Competing as a swing dancer.. should I ?

Competitions. 

Competitions can be amazing and have been part of Lindy Hop history since day one. 

A few generalisations.. 

The positives:

1) It will improve the standard of dancing in a scene. People are goal orientated and competitions give you an amazing focus to work harder on your dancing. 

New aerials are worked on, stronger technique, crazier moves.. you do see a jump.

2) The anticipation and adrenalin involved with competing is super and I used to be quite competition addict. I loved the anticipation of it all. 

3) " Life is not a spectator sport."  Being involved is so much fun and the swing dancing community is a supportive and encouraging crowd. Everyone cheers you on and appreciates your courage for stepping on the floor. 

4) History. It's part of swing dancing history and Frankie Manning used to tell us all great stories about competing. 

5) A great night where individuals come from all schools, a range of dance communities and places. The cheering is amazing. 

6) It's a thrilling  spectacle and a great show case for swing dancing. Many people have been inspired to start swing dancing from being at a competition evening. 

The concerns:

1) Competitions  can create a slightly competitive environment where social dancing takes a back seat and suddenly your dancing is being judged and it can be stressful and also create some disappointment. 

2) Some dancers define themselves by their dancing so not placing can cause some disillusionment. 

3) Some can take it all too seriously.. it is after all.. just dancing!

At Swing Patrol we think that a few competitions a year are really good for the swing community and we encourage you to get involved. Placing in an event might be one aim, but just being involved should be another aim. Push yourself and have the experience of a life time. My favourite memories of the days I used to compete regularly are not of the actual competing moments but the great laughs we would have at training and the great hours of hard work dancing at rehearsals. It's a great journey, a great goal and an experience worth considering. 

The upcoming London Jitterbug Championships has events for all standard of dancers.. including two beginner events. Talk to a buddy in class and throw yourself in!

My fluff for today. 

Scottie 

London Jitterbug Championships: 

http://www.londonswingfestival.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=11&Itemid=10

Balance in your life...don't leave after 18 months :)

28 FEBRUARY 2010
Do you ever wonder what you would be doing if you weren't addicted to swing dancing?  I am pretty sure I would be a professional footballer and live on a sunny beach side throwing back paw paw smoothies every hour.  I wish!

I left my career as a commercial banker because I found something I was obsessed with. Yes I dreamed about Lindy Hop and was first to class, last to leave and lost all sense of balance. I would ear bash anyone who would listen about this dance I had stumbled across.  My family obviously were concerned. All those years in a finance orientated school and then onto university to study banking & finance -  and all I wanted to do was go swing dancing. Outrageous behaviour!

I see the same things happening now all around me.  I love how passionate London is about its' dancing. Dancers have to be kicked out of the dances at the end of the evening, they drool over You Tube clips of Skye & Frida, work on their swing tune collections and live on skyscanner looking for cheap flights to get to the next swing camp in some exotic location in Europe.

Being passionate about something is great and enjoy whatever phase you are going through.   I love swing dancing no less than those dizzy days when I first discovered but really enjoy hearing stories about the passionate London dancers.

My tip of the week  ( yes sounding like an old grandfather maybe.. ) is as follows: I have seen many many dancers get obsessed for about 18 months and then lose interest and leave our swing scene.  This type of passion has usually been at the expense of non dancing friend and non dancing interests and a real life balance occurs. DON"T shut out your non dancing friends, enjoy nights away from dancing and spend some dinners NOT talking about this addiction you have. I totally get it and it is a special gift to be able to enjoy this amazing dance but I want you to enjoy it all your life. Enjoy your journey... what's the hurry!

Throwing yourself 110% into something you love is exactly what I did... so go for it and enjoy it. Just ensure you can enjoy it for a long time!

That is my fluff for the week.
Scottie

All about belonging to the wider swing scene..

25 FEBRUARY 2010

I am an alcoholic!

Not really. Since news of my engagement though so many people have bought me a wine, beer, glass of champagne and it has really lovely. It does mean though that I have been a little hazy for two weeks and working in slow motion. Thank you though for the many well wishes from students and dancers around London. Has been really lovely.

Belonging to a swing dance community is amazing and we are all tied into quite an amazing network that goes something like this.

Many of you belong to a venue in terms of you learn, dance and enjoy friendships at this venue. You are part of a wider Swing Patrol collective around London (and Swing Patrol also has families in Melbourne, Sydney and Berlin).

Swing Patrol London are part of an amazing London scene that is more rich and diverse than people give it credit for. So many options, so many great people. When I first arrived in London people kept banging on about the rifts in London and warned me to stay out of it ( as the new kids on the block..) but I really think people have it wrong. Sure there may have been some rifts in years gone past but the swing groups around London are just super busy and work really hard to share this dance we all love.  London is a big place (so much bigger than any city I have worked or lived in ) and  it's so cool that many groups share the load of sharing the dance. We are still dominated by salsa and other cool dances in London. Swing is such an underground movement still (meaning we are all very cool.. ha ha..)  I performed with Simon Selmon recently at a Ceroc event which was a lot of fun.  Simon and I met last year to discuss the possibility of a joint event.. but it decided that we were simply too busy.  We are really lucky to be part of a swing scene in one of THE most amazing cities in the world.. I feel honoured but every week I am a big tourist and have quite the love affair with London and it's rhythm.

London is part of the England swing scene and great swing communities exist now in almost every English city from Portsmouth, Devon, Bristol, Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester, Leeds, Durham, Sheffield, Norwich et c etc. The list is endless and I think that is amazing. It wasn't like this ten years ago when I was travelling through. This scene is closely connected to the British scene that all belongs to the European swing scene which has had such amazing growth. You will meet the Europeans at either LLX or the London Swing Festival. They are committed and good!  A massive group from Denmark are coming to LSF..they are the best people!

Then of course we are all connected to the wider global swing scene that now sees swing dancing in Argentina, India and random places that people have introduced it to. The last workshop I did before I moved to London was in Christchurch New Zealand so I have been in contact with many swing dancing friends there this week with the horrific earth quake earlier this week. While all the dancers I know are safe and well, many have had some serious structural damage to their houses just like many Queensland swing dancers recently lost their houses in those crazy Biblical style floods.  It's great to belong to community that is so vast, so caring and so passionate about its core elements... the dance and the music.  The dancers in Queensland and now Christchurch have really felt the wider support of the world swing scene and as I said at the start... it is great to belong.

Well.. what a load of fluff. If you read my ramblings this week... I take my hat off to you!

Have a great week and all the best to Laura & James who kick off our West London venue this Tuesday.

Scottie

Splitting the community..

21 FEBRUARY 2010

Hello everyone,

Trust you are well. My thoughts ( and ramblings ) are about social dancing today. I was at the Swing Pit last night and yes it's a source of frustration to have our Book Club Blues clashing with the Swing Pit on occasion. It feels like it splits the community a little .. even though we do seem to have two differing crowds there is no doubt cross over.  We have noticed that the Swing Pit isn't  attracting as many beginners lately and that isn't a good thing. Maybe we have pitched the night wrong, maybe we aren't looking after them enough but the good news is.. this is about to change!

The Swing Pit will open two areas from next week. There is a back area ( behind the massive red curtain ) which isn't used at all. The venue will remove all the couches and turn the space into a second dance floor. It's not a perfect dance floor but what a great space to have a twirl and enjoy a night out. There will be a sign,, " no rock star activity allowed.. "  Think of it like the Swing Den.. a place that is completely beginner friendly. Think of the back room as:

" ..designed and aimed at new dancers to create a relaxed environment where you can get out there and dance your socks off with crazy abandon and no fear of... anything. This is the place to practice, laugh, make mistakes... and dance! "

The Swing Pit is a really cheap night out. £6 plus a £3 drink voucher. I had been away for a few weekends so it was very cool to be back last night. Can't believe I made everyone dance like chickens. Hannah and Lance .. you had to see them to believe it. Anyway.. to all our newer dancers. The Swing Pit (link  http://swingpatrol.co.uk/event-item/222/swing-on-sundays--corbet-place-weekly-in-brick-lane.php         )
really is a super night out and the old swing clips playing on the screen make it a great spectacle. Take a chance and come and join us next week. :)

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It's live swing this Wednesday in Brick Lane again  ( http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=138861266176243 ) It doesn't feel like a dance at Cafe 1001 and many people come just to enjoy live swing music and the fun bohemian atmosphere. It's a great promotion for swing dancing though so I have again offered my services to do the lesson at the start of the night. It will be a charleston lesson this week. If you have a friend that is a little anxious about the big jump of taking a class this is the night for to bring them. No pressure to dance but a great spectacle with lot of dancing on the floor. I think it is a cool idea that the promoters have offered a discount to the students who have already done their learning at Dalston, Spitalfields or Camberwell this Wednesday. I think you guys can come for a fiver but check with the promoters via their Face Book page.

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James Horada has a birthday today. Happy Birthday to James. He hasn't had a regular teaching venue all year so he is excited about opening of our Holloway Rd venue this Thursda.
The venue will include free social dancing after the 7.00pm class and he has invited us all to come along and have a birthday drink with him and check out his new venue. Happy Birthday mate.

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The cool news is that as we grow and the levels of dancers becomes wider.. we will soon be putting on a Level 4 class with myself and Annie. It will be a true high level learning class. It will be aimed at our trainee teachers, strong dancers around town who aren't sure where to learn and those who have been part of our higher learning and eager to be pushed. Details will be in the group email.


I hope you all have a super week and enjoy your dancing in this amazing city. Remember we are still trying to always improve our systems, classes and teaching. We are very happy to receive feedback. You can drop Fiona and I a note anytime, about anything at info@swingpatrol.co.uk.

Thanks everyone.

Scottie
http://swingpatrol.co.uk/profile/1/scott-cupit.php
Swing Patrol
www.swingpatrol.co.uk