Events

Please note – this is a Saturday dance. The (in)famous Hallowe’en dance. 20:00 – 23:00.

It’s never too soon to think about fancy dress! The Hallowe’en Dance at Dowty has a fantastic reputation for plenty of spooooky costumes and is sure to be a fabulously fun night. We can’t wait.

Swing right into Christmas at Dowty’s with our excellent Christmas Dance. 20:00 – 23:00.

We have a day of workshops booked with the amazing Lana Williams, and an evening of live music from Peter Long’s Rocket Basie

The Schedule

There are 3 parts to the day – and you can buy tickets for whichever bits you’d like.

10:15 – 12:00 Mini Air Steps and Jumps with Lana Williams. £40 per couple.
This will be fixed partners. An introduction to air steps and jumps. Nothing crazy – but some nice moves to start you flying. 1 hr 30 mins teaching and time for some water breaks. Limited to a smaller class size.

13:00 – 16:30 Lindy Hop workshop with Lana Williams. £35 per person.
3 hours of teaching and time for some water breaks.

19:30 – 23:00 Dance. £22 per person.
Evening dance with Peter Long’s fabulous 15 piece big band – The Rocket Basie.

The Teacher – Lana Williams

Lana is a professional dancer, choreographer and dance educator with over 16 years’ experience working in the performance industry; including TV, theatre and film. Some of her work includes; Bridgerton on Netflix, BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing, See How They Run (film), The Muppets Movie and The Orchestra Of The Swan. It was right back at the beginning of her career, at just 20 years old, that Lana was introduced to the world of Vernacular Jazz and, of course, the Lindy Hop. Her training in Lindy Hop involved the history, the repertoire, air steps, the fundamentals, performance and social.

Lana prides herself on being grounded in the movement history and the origins of this dance genre whilst still being able to unleash her ever present and contemporary styling influenced by today’s world.

The Band – The Rocket Basie

With 15 top-class musicians this big band stays firmly in the Basie of the 1930s, for that authentic Kansas City feel. Peter Long’s varied career has seen him working with the likes of Jools Holland, Georgie Fame and Tom Jones. He directs the Ronnie Scott’s Big Band and has provided arrangements for Paul McCartney, Seth MacFarlane, Sir John Dankworth, Humphrey Lyttelton and many more. As well as all the favourites like Splanky, Jumpin’ At The Woodside and Shiny Stockings, you can also expect some seriously rare gems.

Venue

Chosen Hill School, Churchdown. This is because the band prefer a real piano and a medium sized hall with a medium height ceiling. The hall has been picked to suit the band’s optimum requirements. There is plenty of parking at the school.

Tickets will go on sale at the end of September.

Tickets
45 tickets available at Keeno rate: £95 – SOLD OUT
45 tickets available at Early Bird rate: £110 – SOLD OUT
Remaining tickets at Full Price rate: £120
Social Pass (both dances; advanced purchase only): £tbc
Tea Dance only (cash or card on the door): £tbc