Swing Bridges Generation Gap In Winterville

NEWS RELEASE: Monday 15th December 2014

Swing Bridges Generation Gap In Winterville

Vintage Fusion Event: Swinging In The Park
Winterville, Victoria Park, London, E3 5TB
5pm, Tuesday 30th December 2014

For the first time, two of the powerhouses of London’s contemporary swing dancing scene – BBC TV Dragons’ Den success Swing Patrol and international club night chain, the original Electro Swing Club – are joining together for a massive vintage and electro swing experience of style, energy and fun that spans generations. To be held from 5pm on Tuesday 30th December 2014 as part of the huge Winterville alternative festive experience in the magical temporary town in Victoria Park, East London, the family friendly Swinging In The Park event will fuse the vintage swing sounds of the 1920s to 1950s with contemporary beats — including house, hip hop and drum ‘n’ bass.

Strictly Come Dancing’s assistant Charleston choreographer, successful Dragons’ Den entrepreneur, and Swing Patrol’s founder, Scott Cupit, will be hosting the event in Winterville’s magic mirror Spiegeltent – a mobile dance hall marquee used by both Edith Piaf and Django Reinhardt to entertain allied troops during World War II. Cupit will be teaching hundreds of people of all ages — from grandkids to grandparents — some of the classic moves he and Jenny Thomas (Strictly’s primary Charleston choreographer) have taught Judy Murray, Anton Du Beke, Alison Hammond, Aljaz Skorjanec, Scott Mills and Joanne Clifton. There will also be dance competitions for children under 12.

DJ Chris Tofu – The Godfather of Electro Swing – and regular DJ at the Electro Swing Club, White Mink and Shangri Las club nights will keep the crowds in groove with 21st Century infused vintage vibes. Live music from the Cable Street Rag Band – the regular Golden Era of Jazz musicians from Limehouse’s bohemian Jamboree music venue — will temper the electronica with more mellow mood music to which partygoers can choose to lounge, listen or lindy hop.

Scott Cupit, Managing Director of Swing Patrol UK said, “From ballroom to break dancing, swing has had a massive impact on dance culture — and the Winterville Swinging In The Park event will show just how adaptable swing music and moves are to contemporary dance music. The event will bridge any generation gaps and introduce people to partner dancing, vintage chic and the international Electro Swing Club phenomenon.”

DJ Chris Tofu, from Electro Swing Club said, “We see people at our club nights swinging out moves they have learned at Swing Patrol’s classes around London. The Winterville Spiegeltent is an amazing space where these dancers can both enjoy themselves and entertain others to a unique musical experience. It’s a great event for absolute beginners to get a taste of what swing dancing is like. Once they’ve experienced it no doubt learning how to dance will be one of their new year’s resolutions.”

The Winterville temporary town also features an ice rink, a fairground, a roller disco, a wall of death, an on–site pub, horse–drawn carriages, a food hall, a Christmas market, street food, craft beers and more. The town is free to enter. Tickets for a select number of attractions including Swinging In The Park, the pantomime and ice rink are on sale now via the Winterville website.

Swinging In The Park tickets are free for children under 12 accompanied by adults. Adult tickets (12+ years) are £8 in advance or £10 on the day. Tickets are available at https://swingpatrollondon.dancecloud.com/#/events/7612

The event starts from 5pm until 10pm on Tuesday 30th January 2014 at The Spiegeltent, Winterville, Victoria Park, London, E3 5TB.