March 25, 2007
Thursday: Social Dancing @ CBD
CBD in the city continues to host the longest continually-run social swing dancing event in Melbourne in 2007.
This is a DJed social dance night, following Swing Patrol classes which begin at the venue at 6:30.
DJs looking to secure a gig should approach Tim Oon in person or by email at tim@swingpatrol.com.au.
The CBD nightclub is generally considered one of the less savoury venues in Melbourne, though the management has long been tolerant of the low-drinking lindy hop crowd. It has the added advantage of easy access by public transport.
The dance floor, while a smaller size, is generally of a decent quality, though it can vary from fairly sticky to super-fast.
CBD is the one social dancing event in Melbourne where dancers can guarantee a range of lindy hopping dance partners.
The music tends to vary in type and quality, depending entirely on the DJ.
Where?
CBD night club is located upstairs at 12 McKillop Street in the city center.
Transport?
Any city-bound train, bus or tram will take visitors within walking distance. The venue is also popular with cycling dancers. Street parking is available, with most drivers having success finding a park on Queen Street.
How much?
Entry is free.
When?
Every Thursday night from 8:30pm, ending between 10:30 and 11:30pm.
Bar?
There is a full bar, and prices can be quite steep (depending on your drink choice). Dancers not attending classes are encouraged by local dancers to buy a drink in support of the management.
Posted by the editor on Sunday March 25, 2007
February 4, 2007
1st Sunday of the month: Blues Night @ Vibe
Come dance really slowly in a confined space.
Where? Vibe on Smith, 123 Smith St Collingwood
When? the first Sunday of the month, classes followed by social dancing
Transport? Catch a #86tram down Smith Street from the city
Bar Yep. And food.
Posted by the editor on Sunday February 4, 2007
January 28, 2007
Every 2nd Friday: Funpit
The Funpit continues in 2007.
The Funpit offers one of Melbourne's two regular social dancing nights where the music, floor and venue are all dancer-run and dancer-friendly (the other is CBD on Thursday nights). The Funpit regularly attracts a larger crowd of dancers, with the earlier part of the evening dominated by less experienced dancers whose enthusiasm encourages even the most jaded lindy hoppers.
The Funpit is run by Swing Patrol and is preceded by dance classes with Swing Patrol teachers. A DJed night, the Funpit features a range of Melbourne DJs and the occasional guest.
DJing at the event is managed by Brad Wright, who is interested in featuring a range of DJing styles and encourages interested DJs to contact him directly at brad@swingpatrol.com.au .
The Funpit has recently moved venues. The musical style varies considerably, depending on which DJ is spinning.
The earlier part of the evening tends to cater to the students from the preceding classes, often with a slower range of tempos. The later set tends to speed up a little, and to cater for a more varied range of dancers later in the night.
The night is well worth the price of entry, whatever your dancing experience or interest.
Where? Forever Dance, 1/446 Church St, Richmond
Transport? Catch a #70 tram down Swan Street from the city (alighting at the corner of Swann and Church Streets) or a train to Richmond station (this station is serviced by trains on a number of routes).
How much? $6 or free with the class
When? Funpits are held every second Friday night, though dates are subject to change. Visitors would do well to consult the site. A list of provisional dates includes:
January 19th
February 2nd and 16th
March 2nd, 16th and 30th
April 13th and 27th
May 11th and 25th
June 8th and 22nd
July 6th and 20th
August 3rd, 17th and 21st
September 14th and 28th
October 12th adn 26th
November 9th and 23rd
December 7th adn 21st
Bar? There is a makeshift bar, though alcohol is not always available.
Posted by the editor on Sunday January 28, 2007
Sunday: Lousiana Shakers @ Renown Tavern
The Louisiana Shakers play the Renown Tavern every Sunday Afternoon from 4pm- 7pm.
Note: this gig is unreviewed and it is not certain that there is a dancefloor at the venue.
Cost? Free
Where?The Renown Tavern
Cnr. Gertrude & Napier Streets
Fitzroy
9419 1611
When? 4pm-7pm every Sunday afternoon
Getting there? Catch the #112 tram down Brunswick street then walk east a few blocks.
Bar? The Renown is a pub with a full bar and kitchen
Posted by the editor on Sunday January 28, 2007
3rd Sunday of the month: Waterfront Cafe Jazz Band @ Rosstown Hotel
The Waterfront Cafe Jazz Band play the Rosstown Hotel every third Sunday of the month 1:30-4:30pm.
Bookings: call the Rosstown Hotel bistro on 9571 1033
Rosstown Hotel: Koornang Rd, Carnegie
2007Dates:
18th February
18th March
15th April
20th May
Posted by the editor on Sunday January 28, 2007
Friday: Pearly Shells @ Gunn Island Hotel
The Pearly Shells Quartet play every Friday at the Gunn Island Hotel (formerly the Middle Park Hotel) at 6.30pm.
The Gunn is on the corner of Armstrong st and Canterbury Rd in Middle park. Entry is Free.
Posted by the editor on Sunday January 28, 2007
January 13, 2007
Saturday: Virus @The Laundry
(photo by Dave Cheney)
Chris Tanner's Virus play The Laundry every Saturday afternoon from 4pm - 7pm.
Virus usually play The Laundry every weekend, though dancers should ring the venue to be sure the band have not taken an unannounced break.
While Virus are an excellent band, appreciating dancers, The Laundry is a small venue with a small dance floor. While recent renovations at the venue have produced a new, wooden and smoother floor, dancers should remember that this is primarily a pub, and that floor conditions may vary.
As it is a pub/club, the Laundry is often smokey, and the presence of lindy hoppers on the dance floor often encourages drinkers to do likewise. The Saturday afternoon Virus gigs also tend to attract the much older Melbourne jazz community members, making for an odd mix in the venue. Female dancers should note that these older male jazz fans can be unpleasantly sleazy, whilst the younger locals are far more respectful and quite appreciative of dancers' abilities.
The band usually play at a quick dancing tempo (and very appropriate for shag, bal and faster lindy hop), interspersed with slower ballads, blues and slow drags.
This is not an event frequented by many dancers if you're thinking of going, but have no partner with you, suggest an outing on the swing talk board.
Where? The Laundry is located at 50 Johnston St Fitzroy (ph 9419 7111), between Brunswick and Nicholson Streets.
Transport? The venue is easily accessed by the no.19 tram down Nicholson St or the no.96 tram down Brunswick Street, or by the 200, 201 or 207 buses down Johnston Street.
Parking is a little more difficult, though metered parking is available on Brunswick St.
How much? Entry is free.
When? Virus have a residency at The Laundry, playing every Saturday afternoon from 4pm - 7pm. The band are usually best in their second two sets. As the band leader Chris Tanner is a renowned clarinettist, he is often away overseas. Virus is definitely better with Tanner's leadership, and often does not play at all when he is away. Dancers would do best to ring the venue to confirm the gig and avoid disappointment.
Bar? The Laundry is a full bar, though its prices are in keeping with the fashionable Fitzroy range. There are a range of more interesting beers on tap.
Posted by the editor on Saturday January 13, 2007
January 1, 2007
Wednesday: Balpit @ Vibe
The increasingly popular Balpit will begin again on Wednesday 17th January at Cafe Vibe, this year as a weekly event. Responding to calls for more frequent opportunities to move very little in confined spaces, Balpit anchor Dave Shackleford stated "It will be nice to get out and get some exercise again." Mr Shackleford did not, apparently, see any contradiction in his opinion. "No, no - bal really makes me sweat." Nor did Mr Shackleford see a correlation between wearing woollen argyle vests and precipitation. Or perspiration.
Ms Claudia Funder, in more measured comments this afternoon said that she was looking forward to the new year at the new venue. "It'll be nice for Dave to get out and get some exercise." When queried about her own fashion portfolio for the new year, Ms Funder was far more forthcoming: "This year I'm going to be all about skirts. I see skirts as the next big thing in balboa."
Mr Shackleford declined to comment further on fashion, and indeed expressed only the opinion that he'd like to see "...more writers trying bal. Then we'd see who's really working the old pulmonory aorta, wouldn't we."
Posted by the editor on Monday January 1, 2007
August 16, 2005
Saturday: Victorian Jazz Club
The Victorian Jazz Club hosts live bands at the Celtic club every Saturday night.
This series of gigs features a commitment to live jazz unparallelled in Melbourne. The bands tend towards dixie/new orleans/trad jazz, with some swinging exceptions. The bands play upstairs (inquire for directions in this confusing venue) in a large, carpeted room. The dance floor is a small, temporary floor which is often occupied by older dancers and very few lindy hoppers. Dancers would be well advised to book a table (9534 1173) as the events are well attended. Though the VJC members are, for the most part older jazz fans and not hardcore dancers, they welcome guests and dancers. Dancers would also be advised to dance with care for others on the small floor. For more information about the gigs, consult the VJC site. For more information about the venue consult the Celtic Club site.
Where?
The Celtic Club is at 316 Queen St (cnr Queen and LaTrobe Streets) in the city (Ph 9670 6472).
Transport?
The Celtic Club is easily reached by any one of the buses, trams (which pass by the Club's front door) or any trains (closest stops are Melbourne Central and Flagstaff) to the city. Street parking is also available, though less certain.
How Much?
$12 for non Vic Jazz Club members and $8 for members. Prices can vary with different bands.
When?
Saturdays 8-11pm.
Bar?
The Celtic Club has a full bar and offers meals, though there have been some complaints about the meals in the past.
Posted by the editor on Tuesday August 16, 2005