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"SWINGIN’ THE BLUES "

26th January 2008


Chiswick Town Hall, London

 

 

"Swingin' the Blues" is an annual event offering a whole day of Blues & Swing style workshops from some of the very top UK Blues teachers, followed by an evening of Blues & Swing dancing with allegedly the best DJ’s in the world.

Now in its 8th year 'Swingin' the Blues' is presently the only truly dedicated "Blues" event on the UK dance calendar and attracts a diverse and interesting crowd.

The workshops will start at 11am and run through until 7pm with a break for lunch when we have some surprises in store! The "Swingin' Blues Ball" will kick off from 8pm and run through in three rooms until 12.30am

 

 

INFORMATION

TO BOOK ON LINE CLICK HERE

If you are booked onto the event already please read the following information carefully…

 

The doors open at 10.30am and the first workshop starts at 11am sharp.

Please try and be on time as people arriving late are disruptive to the flow of the workshops.

If coming by car please allow plenty of time to park...

(AT LEAST 30 MINUTES)  

...as Chiswick can be very very busy on a Saturday. 

(It will definitely help if you bring enough change for the meters). 

Details of suggested parking places and costs can be found at the bottom of this page under 'Additional Parking Information'.  

 

When you arrive at the reception your name or the name of your group leader (the person who bought the tickets) will be on a list.

You need to register at the front desk by giving the name of your group leader which if all goes to plan will be on the list of attendees.

Your Ceroc membership card will be swiped to record you attendance at the event as is normal practise.

If you are already a Ceroc member please bring your membership card.

If you are not an existing Ceroc member you will be required to fill out a membership form to comply with our public liability insurance requirements.

Please allow enough time in your schedule to do this.

All participants will be given an event wristband, which you need to wear during the day (and also to gain re admission for the evening event), along with an event programme which will include a schedule of the running order for the day and any last minute information/instructions.

 

As there will be no official break for lunch we suggest you bring some food and refreshment with you. Alternatively within easy walking distance of the venue on the main shopping drag there are many eateries to choose. There will be something exciting going on to entertain you during the lunch hour.

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The workshops will finish around 7pm and there will be a dinner break while we set up for the “Swingin’ Blues Ball” which will start at 8pm with a 'Cool Blues' class in from the fabulous Blues Champions Howard Temple and Nicola Chappell. 

This event has limited capacity due to the venues specific licensing restrictions.

 

IF YOU ARE ATTENDING THE WORKSHOP DAY AND HAVE FRIENDS WHO WISH TO JOIN YOU IN THE EVENING PLEASE TELL THEM TO BOOK ON-LINE TO GUARANTEE RESERVING A PLACE

 

THERE IS NO ENTRY OR RE-ENTRY TO THE VENUE AFTER 10.15PM.

This is a specific licensing stipulation of the venue and is totally outside of our control. This means if you arrive after 10.15pm you will not be allowed into the event and there is nothing we can do about it!

 

The “Swingin’ Blues Ball” runs across 3 rooms from 8pm through until 12.30pm.

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In the main room the music will be more MJ mainstream and Swing; the smaller hall will be Pure Blues and there will be a Utopia room upstairs playing an esoteric mix of tunes. Please see the event time table for a schedule of DJ's.

 

There will be a licensed bar running until 11.30pm after which there will be soft drinks sold.

There is a secure cloakroom operating during the evening event but not during the day.

Stand Out Dancewear will be at the event selling a wide variety of shoes and clothing.

 

 

Should you have any issues not resolved here please email swingingtheblues@ceroc.com

or call either 07946 221 042 or 07956 532 721 for assistance.

 

 

PLEASE ENSURE YOU ALLOW ENOUGH CAPACITY IN YOUR ESTIMATED JOURNEY TIME FOR THE FOLLOWING:

1). THE UNEXPECTED (ALLOW 30 MINUTES)

2). SATURDAY MORNING TRAFFIC (ALLOW 15 MINUTES)

3). FINDING A PARKING PLACE (ALLOW 30 MINUTES)

4). REGISTRATION FOR THE EVENT (ALLOW 5 MINUTES)

5). FIND A PLACE FOR YOUR BAG & COAT (ALLOW 5 MINUTES)

THE BASIC PREMISE IS IT IS BETTER TO BE EARLY THAN LATE :o)

 

 

 

 

THE BLUES


-The World according to Nigel -


I’m often asked - "What is Blues?"


As a Musician I would answer that "Blues is a set of chord changes in a 12 or 16 bar pattern, differentiated with flattened 3rd’s, 5th’s & 7th’s often used by players as a basis for improvisation"


The Dancer’s answer is more complex. "Blues is an elaborate fusion of ideas from every dance style, from the mambo of Dirty Dancing to the romanticism of Ballet. The tempo and space given by the music allows a freedom of interpretation and improvisation that is seldom found in partner dances"

 

 

 
The Workshops

Following the success of last year when UK Blues champions Dave & Val Rokov joined the teaching team to give even more variety to the workshops they have been asked back. And now they are married! We're keeping the revised workshop format with a "pick & mix" selection of classes throughout the day.

(see timetable below).

There’s now a choice from an amazing twelve hours of workshops, packed full of everything you could possible want to know about Blues; the Music & the Dance.
We will be covering the basic patterns and variations along with some ‘Exciting New’ advanced moves, lifts & drops that can be added to this most sensual of dance styles.

The music and its variations will also form a large part of the workshop and we will be concentrating on both the style & techniques involved with the more complex rhythm changes. Partners are not needed as we will be rotating during the lessons.

The workshops will start at 11am and finish at around 7pm followed by the "Swingin' Blues Ball" from 8pm to 12.30am.

 

 

 
The Teaching Team
 

  SIMON & TAINA
The American Blues dance Champions in 1999 and twice the UK Lindy Hop Champions, Simon & Taina are undoubtedly a couple of the most influential swing dancers of the modern era.

Along with their status as internationally acclaimed dancers & teachers, they have strong links with both the television & film industries having been involved with such films as "Swing, "War Brides" & the ITV classic "Back Home".

They also featured in the 4 part TV dance documentary with Deborah Bull (Simon having the enviable task of being her partner!)
 

 

NIGEL AND NINA

The Double UK Jive & Showcase Champions, Nigel & Nina have now been performing and teaching together for over a decade. Despite being best known for their Modern Jive, Nigel & Nina have a truly extensive repertoire which includes almost every style of 'swing' related dance, from the sophistication of West Coast to the dynamism of Boogie Woogie.

Nigel & Nina have performed extensively throughout Europe and have made numerous stage and screen appearances including the West End Show "The Cotton Club".

 
 

LUCKY SKILLEN (USA)

Through the magic power of his vibrant smile, Lucky brings dancing joy wherever he goes. Lucky is one of the top Blues dancers in the US and has taught and performed across the globe. He was feature dancer in the tour of the musical Forever Swing, and is a member of Frankie Manning’s New York Dance troop. Lucky has danced and performed at a number of Ceroc weekenders where he has built up a dedicated following. We are delighted to welcome him to his first STB.

 

DAVE & VAL ROKOV
The 'King & Queen' of Blues is more than a fair description of this incredible couple. With style,

flare and much more than a modicum of sexuality the 2004 ‘UK Blues champions’ really are at the

top of the tree when it comes to getting down & dirty on the dance floor.

With over six years of dancing, teaching & performing experience together, expect something ’red hot’ in their workshops

   

 

'The Swingin' Blues Ball'
Three rooms of sumptuous music, the BIG ONE concentrating on mainstream MJ & Swing dance tracks ; next door "The Blues Bar" being just as it says on the tin … pure unadulterated BLUES! ; and upstairs a space of esoteric tunes set to test your musicality to the MAX!!

The music for the evening will be provided some of the top DJ's in the UK including Nigel Anderson, Simon Selmon, Marc Forster and David Rokov. With such a wealth of talent on the decks and with three different venues there should be something to satisfy even the most eclectic and demanding of tastes.

The evening starts at 8pm with a class in "Cool Blues" with Howard and Nicola.

There is no admission or re-admission to this event after 10.15pm due to the restrictions of the venues entertainment license. This is totally out of Ceroc control and even if you have pre-booked, if you turn up after 10.15pm we are not allowed to let you in and this is monitored by Chiswick Town Hall staff.

Also please be aware that Chiswick has a maximum occupancy level set by the venue due to fire and H&S regulations. Consequently we are forced to restrict the number of people allowed into the venue for this event.

Anyway, if you are clever and pre-book your ticket and manage to arrive early enough to get in then it’s wall to wall ‘phat’ tunes for you all the way through until 12.30am

 

 
The Time Table
     
 
Time Slots
 
Main Hall
 
Blues Hall
 
 
 
 
10.30 - 11.00
 
Registration
 
 
 
 
11.00 - 12.00
 
Lesson 1
Blues Entrée
Simon & Kirsty
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
12.15 - 13.15
 
Lesson 2
Blango
Lucky & Maria
 
Lesson 3
The Laminu
Simon & Kirsty
 
 
 
 
 
 
13.30 - 14.30
 
Lesson 4
Ballroom Bash
Lucky & Maria
 
Lesson 5
Whips & Pivots
Nigel & Nina
 
 
 
 
 
 
14.30 - 15.30
 
Lunch Break
 
Lesson 6
The Swing Dance Show
The Teachers
 
 
 
 
 
 
15.30 - 16.30
 
Lesson 7
Dips, Tricks & Wow
Nigel & Nina
 
Lesson 8
Utopia Style
Dave & Val
 
 
 
 
 
 
16.45 - 17.45
 

Lesson 9
Smooth & Sensual

Dave & Val

 
Lesson 10
Juke Joint Blues
Simon & Kirsty
 
 
 
 
 
 
18.00 - 19.00
 
Lesson 11
Puttin' it Together
Nigel & Nina
 
 
 
 
 
 
         
 
19.00 - 20.00
 
Dinner Break
 
     
     
 
The Swingin' Blues Ball
 
 
 
 
             
             
 
Time
 
Main Hall
Blues Hall
Utopia Room
 
         
(upstairs follow signs)
 
 
8pm - 8.45pm
 

Cool Blues Masterclass
Howard & Nicola
     
 
8.45pm - 10pm
 

Mainstream & Swing
Nigel Anderson

Juke Joint Blues
Simon Selmon

Smooth & Funky
Marc Foster

 
 
10pm - 11.15pm
 

Mainstream & Swing
Marc Foster 
Slow, Cool & Easy
Nigel Anderson
Latin Groove
David Rokov 
 
 
11.15pm - 12.30pm
 

Mainstream & Swing
Marc Foster
Late Night Blues
Nigel Anderson
Total Utopia
David Rokov
 
             
 



 

The Money Bit

The Workshops & Ball (All Day & Night) : £35.00


"Swingin' Blues Ball" (Evening Only) : £10.00

NO ADMISSION AFTER 10.15PM DUE TO LICENSING RESTRICTIONS

Click here to down load, print and fill out the Booking Form.

Send the booking form with a cheque made payable to:

‘CD TRAINING LIMITED’


to:

"Swingin' the Blues"
77 Fernhead Road,
London,
W9 3EA


Or why not pay and Book Now online

Your name will be on a guest list held at the front desk at the venue. Just turn up and give your name (or your group leaders name dependant upon whose name the booking was made in) to gain entry. Doors open at 10.30am for the workshops and at 8pm for the evening Ball. (No admission after 10.15pm).

Please note: You will receive an automated email response with your transaction reference number if you book on line. If you book by post you will not be contacted automatically. Please send an email for written confirmation .

 

 

If you have any queries or just want to know more about the event then please contact the numbers below:


For booking enquiries telephone Jamie on 07946 221042

or email: swingingtheblues@ceroc.com


All general enquires phone Nigel on 07956 532721

 

 
Chiswick Town Hall
 

 


Designed by the architect W.J. Trehearne, Chiswick Town Hall was originally built as a Vestry in 1876. It was later extended by Arthur Ramsden in 1901 and is bedecked with rich tiles and stunning stained glass giving it one of the most beautiful Victorian interiors in London.


   

 

Chiswick Town Hall is located in Heathfield Terrace London W4 4JN just off the Chiswick High Road. It is located on the south side of Turnham Green which has an imposing church in the middle of it


Bus routes 27, 237, 267, 391, E3, H40 and H91 stop within 1 or 2 minutes walk.

Chiswick Park tube station is about 5 minutes walk away and Gunnersbury station (BR) is within a gentle 10 minute walk.


If your planning to travel by car there is limited parking around the venue (see below) so allow plenty of time and bring change for the meters should you need it
.

 

   

 
If you are experiencing problems trying to print this map, click on it and print it from there
 

   

 

We have found some streets that have either no charges on a Saturday or only charge in the morning. This is not a comprehensive list. There are probably more streets around and about with no charges. Please do calculate finding a parking space into your travelling time.

**ALWAYS CHECK THE TIME PLATE WHERE YOU PARK YOURSELF**
(We obviously do not accept any liability for parking issues including fines etc)


>> meter 7am – 7pm 50p per 30 mins
Town Hall, opp town hall, Heathfield Terrace

>> meter 9.30am – 12.30pm 40p per 20 mins
Sutton Court Road, Alwyn Drive, Wavedon Drive

>> meter no charge Saturday
Burlington Gardens, Heathfield Gdns, Sutton Lane N, Marlborough Road, Walpole Gdns, Grovesnor Road, Wellesley Road, Arlington Gardens

>> meter no charge Saturday
Barrowgate Road to west

>> meter 9.30am – 12.30pm 40p per 20 mins
Barrowgate Rd to east


Car Parks
If facing Chiswick Park Station turn left.

Just past bus stop on left is coachworks with a forecourt.

They charge £6 per day according to the man in the station!