I had my first international Lindy hop experience on Wednesday, joining HK Swings! for one of their regular evenings at Grappa’s Cellar.
Nearly two years since discovering swing dancing, this was the first time I had deliberately planned a trip to coincide with a swing dance event overseas. And what better to go to an event organised by the person who got me into dancing swing regularly by dragging me to Stompin’ @ The 100 Club, Karen Tong.
It’s funny, but it feels almost like yesterday that Karen introduced me to Stompin’ and I still remember the scariness of trying to lead a dance as a beginner. Karen came back to Hong Kong some 18 months ago, with me still a fairly raw beginner. Indeed, I don’t think I really had many "intermediate" moves to show for it by the time Karen left London.
Earlier this year, Karen and a group of swing dancers decided to organise their own scene in Hong Kong. Surprisingly, there wasn’t one, but the small group got together, and organised their own evenings of dance. And on the night I turned up, at least 30 dancers (including beginners) has come to join in with the fun, and even a few overseas swing dancers temporarily in HK (and maybe staying a bit longer than I was!) were part of the group. For me a pleasant surprise, as the group only started some six months ago.
But for me, this was a new and fun experience. As I had now progressed to being one of the few "intermediate" level dancers in the group, I had fun teaching new tricks to those in HK Swings. A side Charleston with a follower here, how to change hands for leaders (and how to add your own spins), it was really good fun.
And of course, dancing with the other intermediates – it was great dancing with followers who haven’t learnt the same moves as you have in the London classes and so effectively it was a chance to really practise your own leading. And then getting it (mostly) right is a buzz in itself. Shame Karen herself wasn’t around to see what I had learnt in the last 18 months (next time, Karen!).
Coupled with the Victoria Jazz Band, whom, I might add could trounce some of the bands that regularly play at Stompin’, it was such a brilliant evening.
I’m really delighted to have had a positive experience of being here. Meeting new friends, the chance to dance elsewhere and pass on things you’ve learnt from home (thanks Taina, Simon and all the numerous teachers who have taught me over the past 2 years), and thereby spreading the word, it’s been a brilliant time.
So thanks too to everyone at HK Swings! I’ll definitely be back!
HK Swings! runs regular events in Hong Kong, currently the first Wednesday of each month, the last Saturday of each month, and a number of events in between. More details can be found in the links below.
Links:
HK Swings:
Official site | Official Facebook Group | Email: hkswings@gmail.com
London Swing Dance Society:
Official site | Official Facebook Group | Stompin’ @ The 100 Club
Swing Dancers of London:
Facebook Group