I remember watching this clip of the The Nicholas Brothers as a child and I can’t say I  have EVER got bored of it. Enjoy

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It’s fair to say that the Andrew’s Sisters can do no wrong in my eyes, which is probably why this clip from the 1941 movie Buck Privates is one of my favourites. The Andrews Sisters perform four songs in this film: You’re a Lucky Fellow, Mr. Smith, Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy,  [I'll Be With You When It's] Apple Blossom Time and this one – Bounce Me Brother with a Solid Four. The Lindy hop sequence features Dean Collins, Jewel McGowan, Ray Hirsch and Patty Lacey – which is amazing in itself…but not as amazing as the super daggy Shim Sham by the Andrew Sisters in the middle, I just love those flippy legs and the wierd sideways shuffles! My Shim Sham suddenly feels less comic…. next Swing Pit anyone? See you in the middle

Psssttt….don’t tell anyone but we’ll be at the Secret Garden Party this year.  Yes, rehearsals have been underway and planning is a go-go for an exciting array of classes and performances at one of the UK’s best small festivals. Among the acts performing are Caravan Palace and we’ve been getting very exciting about the prospect of swinging out to them in a field in Cambridge shire. Swinging out to electro-swing?! I hear you cry. Yes! That’s right. And just in case you thought it couldn’t be done, take a look at this amazing performance form the Ninjammerz at  with the very same Caravan Palace at Festival de Jazz de Montréal.

Next challenge…swinging out in wellies. Oh dear…
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Two weeks later and we are still day dreaming about the great times we had at the London Swing Festival! And it’s worth noting that we are all set to go again from May 26 to 30 2011! Get it down in the diary now!

In the meantime take a look at these stunning photos (courtesy of Kim Sheard Photography) of the Saturday night baland marvel at some of the fastest feet in London…

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Never ones for shameless self promotion…ahem..but boy didn’t we own the Solo Charleston round at the London Swing Festival? Take a look at this video and see one of the Swing Patrol London team in every round. If you ever had a reason to be proud of them team, this is surely one of them.  You know,  it’s been said before but…damn we’re hot

(OK, collective ego trip over. Enjoy the clip)

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Those of you unfortunate enough to miss the first London Swing Festival missed a whole load of great competitors in a whole load of amazing rounds. But by far the funniest, had to be the inaugural London Swing Festival Heel Slide competition! Yes, we’re serious. Check out the final heats…apparently, if you’re not falling over, you’re not trying hard enough

See you next year?

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With the London Jitterbug Championships but weeks away there’s never been a better time to brush up on your solo Charleston. The Newington Green kids had a go a few weeks a go, with some pretty impressive results it has to be said. So here we have a bit of a Charleston for dummies…be sure to stay to the end of the clip for something to do on those long taxi rides…

I heard someone say that Balboa was ‘boring’ the other day, so i thought it might be a good time to bust out a bit of  Hal & Betty Takier. This clip from the 1943 film Maharaja combine some lollies, aerials and some rather over the top pecking. Bal = boring….pffft!

This is also a perfect opportunity to welcome Claudia. Claudia runs Swing Patrol Australia and is a Balboa specialist!  She’ll be here in London in the run up to the London Swing Festival.  With Gary & Lynelle stranded in Oz so Scott & Claudia will be opening the Baby Balboa class this week at the Driver in Kings Cross.   We hope you will come down to try your hand at some Bal and give her a warm London style welcome.

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So here’s a littl ebit fo randomness to get your weekend going…don’t ask me how I came accross this, because I just don’t know. This starts out as a fun little number…then it all goes a bit crazy…

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Swing dancing in a haunted mansion? But of course? What more do you need for a great vintage movie clip? Maybe except the beautiful voice of Ella Mae Morse. Enjoy this vintage clip from 1944 film Ghost Catchers featuring none other than Dean Collins himself. Among the more hillarious moves I’d like to draw you attention to the numerous ‘bed bounces’….coming soon to a Swing Patrol class near you! Well, maybe not eh?

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