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 28, 2007

Sunday: Blues Night @ Vibe

The Blues Night @ Vibe is on this coming Sunday 11th March.

Posted by the editor on Wednesday February 28, 2007

February 26, 2007

Friday: Funpit @ Forever Dance

The Funpit is on this Friday 2nd March.

Posted by the editor on Monday February 26, 2007

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

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