Events

Back to School: A fantastic opportunity! Teaching Lindy Hop, or thinking about it? If you’d like to learn from a world class teacher, apply here:

Nettie and Steve Pepperell bring you an evening of swing dance joy in Highnam: The Pepper Pot Hot Club. Peppered with a selection of Hot Tunes to dance Balboa, Shag, Slow Bal, Lindy, Bal Swing. Dance through the decades to songs carefully selected by our resident DJ with each event featuring a special guest DJ.

Proceeds from these events will go to Crohn’s & Colitis UK.

CheltenhamSwing.Dance Weekender with Lisa Clarke and Fabien Vrillon.

Each day has 4 hours of teaching, an hour for lunch and short water breaks.  Lessons start at 10:30 and finish at 16:00. All classes at Andoversford Village Hall.  Free tea and coffee if you bring your own mug.  Please bring your own lunch and water bottle.

The Saturday Ticket: improver and above.  The expectation is that you can social dance to a whole song in Lindy Hop at whatever level you are.

The Sunday Ticket: intermediate and above.  The expectation is that you are: confident on the social dance floor with a variety of partners; demonstrate good technique and musicality; and competent in the quintessential moves.

There will be a Saturday night social dance (20:00 – 23:00) at Dowty Sports and Social Club. 

Saturday lessons + evening dance, £57 per person
Sunday lessons + evening dance, £57 per person
Saturday & Sunday lessons + evening dance, £80 per person

Fabien and Lisa met in Herrang, Sweden in 2010 and have been teaching and dancing together ever since. Coming from different backgrounds they both bring their own particular expertise, talents, and enthusiasm to the partnership.

Fabien comes from France and has been teaching swing dancing since 2004, specializing in lindy hop and blues. His love of choreography has led to him to choreograph a number of successful showcases performed at ILHC and other events, as well as the recent ‘French Connection’ Team that placed 2nd at ILHC and ESDC.

Lisa is a professional dancer from London, now living in France. Classically trained from the age of 6 she discovered her love for all styles of dance whilst studying for her degree in Theatre Dance at London Studio Centre. After leaving college she worked professionally in the commercial dance world. She then discovered and fell in love with lindy hop and blues and has immersed herself in all things swing ever since.

Together and separately they have competed and placed in many competitions. (recently 3rd place in the pro showcase 2017 and winning 1st place in the open showcase at ILHC, 3rd place in the Classic Open at ILHC, 3rd place in showcase at Camp Hollywood in LA in 2016. They were also European Swing dance Champions in the slow lindy division in 2013, 2nd place in 2015).

Their fun natured teaching style, yet ability to breakdown a movement, means their classes are a perfect mix for those wanting to progress their dancing. Constantly pushing themselves in their own dancing means they understand the work that goes into becoming a better dancer and are passionate about sharing their experiences and helping others to achieve their goals.

As part of the CSD Weekender with Fabien & Lisa there will be a Saturday evening social dance, with fabulous live music from the Shirt Tail Stompers!

London’s top vintage band, the Shirt Tail Stompers are firmly established at home, and internationally, playing Harlem Swing and the Hot Jazz of the 1920s, 30s and 40s. Featuring music from composers such as Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman and Count Basie.

We are opening this dance to a limited number of people who are not attending the workshops. (A social dance ticket is included if you book onto one or both of the workshops.)

Dowty Sports and Social. 20:00 – 23:00.

The (In)famous Hallowe’en Dowty Dance!!!

Join us for great music for all swing dancing at Dowty Sports & Social Club (GL2 9QH), 20:00 – 23:00. Plenty of parking, and the bar will be open. Tickets will be on sale here, nearer to the event; for now, save the date.

The amazing and lovely Loretta and Onel have agreed to come and teach for us on Sunday 27 October at Andoversford Village Hall.

You can do one, or both, of the workshops they will be offering: Lindy Hop (morning) and/or Introduction to Argentine Tango (afternoon). Please bring your own lunch if you are doing the full day. Further details below.

Onel began dancing Lindy Hop in 1995 and quickly became hooked, learning from most of the teachers teaching in London and internationally for many years, including Dawn Hampton, Chazz Young, Chester Whitmore, Julie Oram, Simon Selmon, Ronnie Slide, Rob and Diane van Haaren, The Harlem Hotshots, and those who became his particular influences – Frankie Manning, Jenny Thomas and Ryan Francois.

Loretta is a life-long lover of dance who also discovered partner dancing in the mid 90s after dancing ballet, tap and jazz as a girl. She was an original member of Jenny Thomas’s performance group, The Sophisticated Ladies. When Onel and Loretta got together over 20 years ago, Loretta began learning Lindy Hop in earnest, and Onel began learning tango.

As well as teaching together for several years in London, beginning at Jitterbugs, then Opus One, Swing at The Scolt Head and Swing at Sway with SwingDance UK, Onel and Loretta founded and organised dance night Moonshine Alley in London with Ryan Francois. Loretta and Onel are passionate about social dancing and are keen to share their enthusiasm. They love the way social dancing fosters a sense of community, builds bridges between people of every age and background, and contributes to our well-being and our ability to celebrate our lives.

Nettie and Steve Pepperell bring you a Mini Balboa workshop with Mel & Jo, followed by an afternoon of swing dance joy in Highnam with a Chilli twist at The Pepper Pot Hot Club at Gambier Parry Hall, Highnam.

Workshop, dance and Chilli – £35
11:30 -14:15. The workshop is for dancers who are comfortable to dance Balboa socially and want to learn some new moves and improve their technique.

Tea Dance and Chili only – £12
14:30 – 17:30. Social dancing and a beef or vegetarian Chilli Con Carne lunch provided.

Peppered with a selection of Hot Tunes to dance Balboa, Shag, Slow Bal, Lindy, Bal Swing. Dance through the decades to songs carefully selected by our resident DJ with each event featuring a special guest DJ. This time it’s DJ Old Man Mo’

Proceeds from these events will go to Crohn’s & Colitis UK.

Join us for great music for all swing dancing at Dowty Sports & Social Club (GL2 9QH), 20:00 – 23:00. Plenty of parking, and the bar will be open. Tickets will be on sale here, nearer to the event; for now, save the date.