Sep20Written by:Phil Whitehead
Sunday, September 20, 2009 
We’re full steam ahead with Windy Lindy and tickets are now available! We’ve got some wonderful teachers, fabulous dances, awesome music and of course some great pass options to save your buckaroos! While you’re at it, sign up to dance in the not so serious competitions, including a novice, showcase and the ever popular Jack and Jill.
Read on for more details and for info on all of the other events happening around town, and beyond.
1. New classes start this week
2. Happy Feet
3. Windy Lindy
4. Local Gig Guide
5. Upcoming Events in NZ, Australia & beyond
6. Swing Jam Birthday shout out
1. Class Update – New courses start this week (Wed and Thur)
An exciting week ahead with new 6 week courses starting this week in both the CBD (Wed) and Petone (Thur). Check out the times and details below. Reply to register your spot now!
City studio Wednesdays- 22 Webb St , Wellington (above the Locksmith shop)
Next block starts Weds September 23rd - Book now
Level 1 Lindy 6.00 - 7.00pm
Do you have friends, colleagues or family talking about starting a new hobby or new form of exercise? Bring them along to Beginners and watch them catch the Jitterbug! No partner or previous experienced required. We will take you through the basics and give you the confidence to get out there on the dance floor. Expect lots of great tunes! Please register so we can keep numbers as even as possible!
Level 2/3 7.15 - 8.15pm
Classes focus on pushing those swing limits! This is a mixed level class for those working at level 2 and those progressing to level 3, with a focus on technique!
Glitterbomb Burlesque - Level 1 8.30-9.30pm
Due to popular demand this course has booked out, but registrations are open for the next block starting November 4th
Let Busty la Belle take you through the traditional burlesque basics from shimmies to pin-up posing and more. Learn to command a stage, gain confidence, body awareness and get that little extra oomph.. Whatever you use it for is up to you!
Small and friendly, this is a relaxed and fun course for ladies of all shapes and sizes, focussing on the traditional dance movement and "tease" element of the burlesque era.
Places are strictly limited and registration for the 6 week course is required in advance, so get in quick to secure your place. Bring your high heels and attitude! 18 and over only, please.
Petone studio - Wilford School Hall on William Street
Starts Thurs 24th September – This week! – Book now!
Level 1 Lindy 7 - 8pm
See description above. Fantastic large floor, plenty of room to practise your swinging moves. This is usually a more intimate class which offers great 1 on 1 time!
Cost: All courses cost $60 per person for a 6 class pass, valid at either venue.
City studio Mondays- 22 Webb St , Wellington (above the Locksmith shop)
Starts Monday 5th October CBD
Level 1 Lindy 7.30 - 8.30pm
Do you have friends, colleagues or family talking about starting a new hobby or new form of exercise? Bring them along to Beginners and watch them catch the Jitterbug! No partner or previous experienced required. We will take you through the basics and give you the confidence to get out there on the dance floor. Expect lots of great tunes. Please register so we can keep numbers as even as possible!
Level 2 Lindy 8.30pm - 9.30pm
For dancers who have completed 2 Beginners blocks or those of you who want to hone their technique. The focus is on building up the basics (swing out, lindy circle etc) and lead/follow techniques while having a lot of fun. We can now link up moves, add styling and learn to play with the music.
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2. August Happy Feet Dance – Saturday 26th September! 7.30pm - 11.00pm St Michael’s Church hall, 86 Upland Road, Kelburn
This was a great venue last month, so Happy Feet is here again! Come along for an awesome night of dancing at this great venue. Dust off your dance shoes; pull out your nattiest threads... BYO a plate for the best dance supper in town.. tell your friends, and get your toes tapping...only $5 entry!!!
There is now a map on our locations page of the website too, so if you’re not sure how to get there, check it out!
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3. Windy Lindy 2009 - Workshops, Annual Competition and Ball - November 13-15th - register now
Start practising those moves, get your outfits ready cos' Wellington’s biggest swing event is coming to town!
Save money with the 2009 passes available:
$150 for a full weekend pass (Saving $30) or
$130 for a Saturday pass - Includes the Ball and 4 workshops (Saving $15)
Full details are also available on the website, but here’s a quick rundown of events:
Friday 13th Nov
Kicking off on Friday night, we’ll start with:
“Friday 13th” Dance , 22 Webb St, Wellington
Join us for a chance to get your weekend off to a roaring start! Dress to impress in your own interpretation of Friday the 13th!
From 8.00pm – 12.00am we’ll be warming up those muscles for the weekend. Come along and meet some of the out of towners, have dance or three and enjoy some fabulous tunes.
All welcome, even if you’re unable to make other Windy Lindy events. $10 or check out our pass options
Saturday 14th Nov
Saturday kicks off with four fantastic workshops to take your dancing up a level, with our amazing guest teachers, Anthony Wheaton and Sarah Farrelly from Melbourne. $25 for each workshop or check out our pass options.
Workshops - suitable for levels 2 and 3, all held at the Loaded Hog Ballroom on the Wellington waterfront.
1. 10:30 - 11:30
2. 11:30 - 12:30
3. 13:30 - 14:30
4. 14:30 - 15:30
(workshop 5 held Sunday 10.30am)
Then take a well earned break before our main event for the year kicks off at 6.00pm
Windy Lindy 2009 Ball “Side Show Freaks”
6.00pm – 1.00am: The Loaded Hog Ballroom, $45 per ticket.
In keeping with the 1932 film "Freaks", our Sideshow theme this year will bring out the human oddity in all of us!
The competition starts at 6.00pm with our regular, fun and relaxed sections, followed by all night dancing to the Liberty Swing Band.
Supper is provided and a cash bar is available.
Competition Categories – Start at 6pm
Jack & Jill: This is great FUN, enter by yourself, then random pairing matches you with your partner. NO ROUTINE REQUIRED, dance to one slow & one fast song, GO FOR IT!
Novice: Enter with a partner, you will be required to dance to one fast & one slow track, approximately 2.5 minutes long. You must have been dancing for less than one year as at the time of the competition date 14 Nov 2009).
Showcase: Enter with a partner, your routine will be under three minutes, & must contain mainly Swing style dancing – any genre. Please supply your own music on CD prior to the competition. Forward to: Full Swing Comp Music, 73 Muritai Road, Eastbourne, Lower Hutt. Music must be received no later than 1st November
Also prizes for best dressed Sideshow Freak!
Competition entries close 1st November.
Sunday 15th November
Sunday will be nice and easy. Join us for the final workshop at 10.30am, then lunch before heading home, or join us for dancing in the sun on the Wellington waterfront.
Registrations available immediately, click here to book now!
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4. Local Gig Guide
Shake your groove thing with all of these great upcoming events and if you havent yet, get online and join our facebook group "Full Swing" for up to date band gigs and happenings.
Check it out:
September Happy Feet Dance – Saturday 26th September See details above!
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Wellington Heads - October 2nd and October 9th
Another great Wellington band are playing from 9:00 at the southern Cross on Able Smith Street (October 2nd). Then a second gig from 9-10pm at Sandwiches on October 9th.
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Liberty Swing Band – 4th October
As always Wellington’s finest big band are playing the first Sunday of each month at the Johnsonville RSA, 139 Johnsonville Road. Always a great evening, 6pm-8pm, and free entry.
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5. Upcoming Events
Big Band Festival 2009, Christchurch 21st - 26th October 2009
Woweee, what a line up! Christchurch's annual exchange this year features some of the best teaching couples around; Hanna and Mattias from Sweden and Shance and Ruth from Perth!
Workshops, dancing and an endless supply of big bands for your dancing pleasure. Bookings are filling up and there may not be spaces for “spare” ladies left, but if you can make we seriously recommend heading south for this event. We’ll be there with bells on!
Check out http://hepcatswing.com/bbf/index.php for details and registration now!
6. Swing Jam Birthday shout out:
Happy birthday to our September/October swingers!
* 17th September - Cormack Ferris
* 21st September - Chris Millar
* 21st September - Twan Van Beers
* 4th October - Richard Self
* 5th October - Peter Shakleton
* 7th October - Lauren Dalmon
* 15th October - Kate Garland
And a big happy birthday to our Auckland pals, Garth and Melita who also celebrate a birthday this month
If you know of anyone else having a birthday and in need of a jam remember to dob 'em in!
Until next month.. just keep swingin’
The Full Swing Team