I second Robin and Colette at Maddys. It's where I learnt to dance along with my boyfriend (at separate times) and Tony Rusecki. They make it very easy to learn and once you have the basics you should be okay.

Katie

Great video clip! Flippin' eck!

Hello all,

I run a website called "Swing Junction" - Swing Junction-Lindy Hop Events, Classes, Forum & info in UK - which lists most of the Lindy Hop & Balboa classes in the UK. The main calendar can be filtered to display just the London region stuff.

I've since moved back to Edinburgh but whilst living in London, I went to London Swing Dance Society @ 100 Club, Swingland's C-Jam, Jump'n'Jive (they teach Lindy Hop, not Jive on Monday nights in Ealing) and Dan Guest's Lindy Circle on Friday night.

I never made it to Julie's Jitterbug nights but no reason you shouldn't check it out

There are many more nights, but these were nights I mainly went to. Swing Junction also has links back to the Lindy Hop schools and venues.

...A quick run down...

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C-Jam is known as the night when most of the best dancers get out and it's DJ'ed music. Martin Ellis runs the night. I don't know much about Martin but he also runs a major yearly events in London that attracts dancers from all over Europe, I believe.
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100 Club has a live band with Simon Dj'ing between sets. Simon travels internationally to teach Lindy Hop. Some of my burlesque attending friends go here too! The bands normally play a mix of Jive music and Lindy Hop music (Lindy Hop music is more jazz based than Jive music). Simon tends to DJ more Lindy Hop music.
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Jump'n'Jive - Andy and Rena teach Monday nights in Ealing. There isn't much dancing after or between classes but the people are great and lots of emphasis on playing with the music and your partner. These guys are also my most favourite aerials (air-steps) teachers in the world - I prefer them to the Swedes even . They are also lovely people and teach interesting and old-school Lindy Hop moves. These guys travel to teach and also run dance camps that attract international dancers.
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Lindy Circle is now run by Dan guest and is known internationally for Lindy Hop but primarily for Balboa (a style of dance to the same music as Lindy Hop but intended for crowded room and only fast music). There is plenty of dancing after classes and you can learn Balboa and Lindy Hop on the same night. There is lots of footage of Dan, and his ex-partner Christie, on YouTube. He's also a nice guy . I didn't have many classes with him but do regret not making more of an effort.
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I've been told to recommend seeking out Ryan Francois and Jenny Thomas (aka Ryan & Jenny). Ryan has choreographed for Hollywood films and together they have had US T.V appearances and run Camp Savoy - also a well known dance camp. They travel extensively in and out of the UK so I don't believe if they teach regular classes at the moment but they were planning on it. They are based in Guilford methinks. Unfortunately, I've never had the opportunity to meet them or learn from them.

I hope this information helps and you find my website of value

Regards,

Ben

The best known video of Lindy Hop was filmed in 1941.

Most people don't generally dance this fast but it's great when you do!!

From the movie Hellzapoppin:
YouTube - Lindy Hop - Hellzapoppin (1941)

There was a revivalist movement that begun in the mid 90's (I think) by a bunch of Swedes to bring back this original style of the dance. Perhaps you can see the different between the upright nature and length of acrobatics (old style acrobatics or air-steps were normally no longer than 1 bar of music) of the previously posted video to this one.

The guy in the video wearing the overalls is the last remaining survivor of that group. His name is Frankie Manning, since being brought back into dancing he's been travelling non-stop to teach and inspire and just celebrated his 93rd birthday (26th of May)!

-Ben

Although there are reletavely few who dress up for the occasion, (it's an 'after-work' type thing, I go along most weeks to Jitterbugs, at Marble Arch, as it has great lessons before the social dancing.

"Lindy Hop lessons are a big feature of Jitterbugs and Wednesday nights start with a Beginners lesson at 7.00 - 7.45pm. The Intermediate lesson is from 7.45 - 8.30pm and then social dancing continues until 10.30pm to great music played by resident and guest DJs. The best swing bands play live - generally - on the first Wednesday of the month."

Jitterbugs London - Home Page for London's Premiere Lindy Hop & Swing Dance Club

No partners are necessary as classes rotate partners and the dancing after is very social. However, I would be happy to escort anyone (whatever your gender) who wants company.

If there is anyone left in our world, who has not yet discovered the joys of swing, and lindy hop in particular, dont wait - get along to a class!
Happy dancing
Karma

Hi Lois, did you sign up to any of the classes? When can we expect to see you jiving on the tv?

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Ooh la la!

Heya, I'm hoping to go to Swingin Sundays in Hammersmith this sunday! don't know what to wear on my feet though?

Hi Lois

I've never been to the one on sunday but I would wear flat shoes that don't have much grip so you can spin a bit. If you have ones with a strap across then that would be perfect.

If you can avoid wearing heals then do because someone once drove a stiletto into the soft part of my ancle which stopped me dancing for a couple of weeks. Not many people wear heals unless they are really good dancers.

Have fun on Sunday.

Jay

I'll wear my jazz shoes in that case, I don't want to be sued for GBH! Ta sweets x

Myself and all my girlfriends go to a swing class that covers lindy hop, jive and others too which is run by swingland. Try searching google because I know they run at least 4 classes a week in various places around london.
It's a great class with fantastic teachers that caters for all levels of people. There were people who had never danced before in their life and people who were very advanced dancers but never done swing before and everybody picked it up fine. They run a social dance after so its a good night out and I've found I learn the most from just dancing with random people afterwards!

Tis good fun!

xx