The outdoor dancing season is over in Uppsala, on Tuesday we had the last dance by the river with some barbeque. You could notice that the autumn is here because it got dark much earlier.
We always get an audience who look at us dancing when the big boats passes by on the river.
A big thank you goes to the persons who made it happen: Simon, Mirjam, Emil, Lilian and Johan (and possibly others that I forgot, in that case please let me know).
They have made it possible to dance lindy hop and balboa during the summer. I think it's fantastic that right after our weekly dance Cats Corner ended for the spring season, the outdoors dancing started so that we now have social dancing every week all year around.
The outdoor dancing got the attention of the local newspaper and they published a full page interview with Anna. Anna is a enthusiastic dancer who does a lot of work for dance scene in Uppsala. Her efforts really makes a difference. Thank you Anna!
The photos are taken by me and may not be published elsewhere without my permission. Contact me if you want to buy or license them.
What do you think of the outdoor dancing by the river? Please comment.
Friday, September 11, 2009
Outdoor dancing season is over
Friday, July 3, 2009
Outdoors summer dancing in Uppsala
Tuesdays are dancing days in Uppsala during the summer. If you go down to the park by the river, you'll find lindy hoppers and balboa dancers all over the place from 18 o'clock and until we run out of batteries for the boombox or run out of dancers, whichever happens first.
Many people bring food and drinks and have a picnic while they rest for a while. Many other (not yet dancing) people pass by on the walking paths beside and stay for a while and look. This is a perfect opportunity to introduce your friends to the dance.
Nobody has yet fallen into the river by accident but last Tuesday one guy jumped into river all by himself.
The event has expanded to Mondays when tap dancer try their rhythms on the quayside.
The event seems to be getting some attention since earlier this week the local radio station phoned me and wanted to get in contact with some dancers.
There are also other outside dances in Uppsala, if you dance tango, go to Smultron at Svartbäcksgatan on Tuesdays between 19 and 23 and if dance Swedish Bugg, go to the river between Skolgatan and Eddaspången on Thursdays after 18.
The photos are taken by me and may not be published elsewhere without my permission. Contact me if you want to buy or license them.
What do you think of the outside dancing by the river in Uppsala? Have you been there yet? Please comment.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Outdoor summer dancing: season finale
Tonight is the last time for the summer that there is dancing by the river a.k.a Lindy At the Quayside. The season ends with a BBQ, bring something to eat and dance a lot.
According to the organizers the party won't stop until they run out of battery for the boombox, there are people left, people have to work next day or the snow start falling, whatever happens first.
Speaking of the organizers, what a great bunch of people that has made it possible to dance lindy hop and balboa by the river all summer. Thank you, Lars-Åke, Susanne, Emil, Joakim, Tobbe and Rebecca.
Above is some pictures from this season. The photos are taken by me and may not be published elsewhere without my permission. Contact me if you want to buy or license them.
What do you think of this season of dancing by the river? Please comment.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Midsummer Nights Swing in New York
If I were living in New York I would attend and dance at all the concerts at Midsummer Nights Swing.
Take a look at this TV clip to see whats going on at Midsummer Nights Swing.
They have a lot of good swing bands there like Alan Gresik Swing Shift Orchestra from Chicago which is featured in the video clip above.
Other swing orchestras and bands at Midsummer Nights Swing:
The Dreamland Orchestra
Harlem Renaissance Orchestra
Lavay Smith & Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers
Since I'm not in New York I'll dance at Lindy At The Quayside tonight.
What do you think of these bands? Have you heard them? Please comment.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Planning for winter in the middle of the summer
The best of the summer is still to come here in Sweden (e.g. the Herräng dance camp starts next week) but the summer solstice was last week and the planning for winter activitives has already begun.
Above you see a photo of Lovisa Gustafsson who is Swingkatten's "General" when it comes to planning the Uppsala Winter Camp in the beginning of February next year. She is on top of all things. If you want to be part of the organizing committee, talk to her. Yes, it is some work but you'll meet active and very interresting people. The information on the website will soon be updated for next years' dance camp.
The photo is taken last week at "Lindy at the quayside". There is dancing at the quayside tonight as well.
Will you go to Herräng Dance Camp? Have you been to Uppsala Winter Camp? Please comment.
The photos are taken by me and may not be published elsewhere without my permission. Contact me if you want to license them.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Dancing at the quayside in Uppsala
For the last three years (maybe longer) we've had as a tradition to dance outside along the quayside in the harbour of Uppsala in the summer. We got the idea from "Lindy in the Park" in San Francisco and have called it "Lindy at the Quayside" (in swedish: bryggdans). Now with the pretty strong balboa scene here in Uppsala, maybe we should just call it "Dancing at the Quayside".
The concept is simple: somebody brings a boom blaster and some swing music. Everybody else comes there and dance and hangs out with their friends. You can bring some picnic if you like. Clean simple fun. And you may also get applauses from people passing by (Yeah, we are that good ;-)). The edge is quite close but to this date nobody has fallen into the water.
Previous years this event has taken place at weekends, but now there seems to be a new informal group that will arrange this on Tuesdays between 18-21. Yay for more people doing stuff. You're great!
What do you think of Lindy at the Quayside? Do you do a similar thing? Please comment.
The photos are taken by me and may not be published elsewhere without my permission. Contact me if you want to license them.
