Lindy hop craze swings into Cardiff

The lindy hop scene is a great way to make friends and express your style. Anna Rogers and Ollie Parham are pictured in the centre.

The lindy hop scene is taking Cardiff by storm, over 70 years after American GIs first hit British dance floors.

On 24 October, Lindy Hop Cardiff are holding a beginners drop in class at 8.30pm in Four Bars, Dempseys, followed by social dancing, with teachers Anna Rogers and Ollie Parham offering an alternative night out.

Lindy hop evolved in 1920s New York and arrived in wartime Britain with the American GIs, helping to boost morale.

Lindy Hop Cardiff founder, Miss Rogers said, “This dance style is pure joy; it’s totally infectious. We’ve built a reputation for being one of the friendliest dance scenes.

“One of the most celebrated qualities of British people during wartime was that real sense of community, which lives on through this dance style today.”

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBd8gP8JuAQ[/youtube]

Lindy Hop Cardiff dance their socks off in Bute Park, performing Frankie Manning’s Lindy Chorus for World Lindy Hop Day. 01/06/2014

Lindy hop classes and social events

Miss Rogers said, “Lindy Hop Cardiff was established in 2012 when I set up classes and events to bring this wonderful dance style to Cardiff. It’s still a relatively underground phenomenon but nearly every major city in the world has a swing dance scene and I wanted my home city to be one of them.

“I developed monthly courses with Ollie Parham, who is from Bristol and has over ten years of experience under his belt. I regularly run swing dance nights in the city centre at Four Bars and Buffalo bar, as well as taking bookings for vintage themed events, parties, weddings and festivals. My goal was not simply to teach dance, but to create a vibrant new scene in Cardiff.

“The improvisational and humorous elements of the dance also gave people an opportunity for self-expression and to mix socially.”

Lindy Hop Cardiff have recently expanded to offering beginner, improver and intermediate level courses. The dance nights are proving to be a big success with nearly 100 people showing up at the last Four Bars Swing event.

Miss Rogers said, “We offer taster classes at all our events and these are the best way to just give it a go in a relaxed environment.”

You do not need to book in advance for any of Lindy Hop Cardiff’s regular dance nights. Four Bars Swing is on the last Friday of every month 8pm – 1am, and tickets are £5 on the door. (Although the next one is a week early on 24 October.)

The evening starts with a beginners drop-in class, then DJ fab swings tunes for everyone to hit the dance floor to.

Lindy Hop Cardiff also run weekly dance socials at Buffalo bar, with a beginners taster class on the second Tuesday of every month. Their monthly courses, however, are by advanced booking only.

More information can be found on the website or Lindy Hop Cardiff are available to answer questions via email.

www.lindyhopcardiff.com

info@lindyhopcardiff.com