The Swing Project

04/11/2026

In Level 2 this month, we’re exploring pioneering voices of rhythm and blues and this week it’s the turn of Lavern Baker 🎙️

Y’all know Lindy Hop favourites like “Gimme a pigfoot” and “Revival Day” but this rhythm and blues singer was one of Atlantic Records’ first big succcess stories, setting the stage for rock and roll with her fusion of blues and jazz vocals. Here you can see her perform on the Ed Sullivan Show (keep watching for a little dance number too!)

Unfortunately as we enter the 1950s and 60s, many of Baker’s hits were overshadowed by rock and roll artists covering them. Elvis Presley recorded 8 Baker tracks during his career and artist Georgia Gibbs recorded a note-for-note cover of “Tweedle-dee” which reached number 1 on the US charts. Due to this Gibbs cover (and her attempt to sue her for copyright failing), Baker appealed to the US Congress seeking better protection for artists against copyright violations 💪

📚 Learn more about LaVern Baker here: https://www.npr.org/2025/08/28/nx-s1-5520606/roots-of-r-b-singer-lavern-baker

02/11/2026

Huge thanks to everyone who joined us this weekend for our Collegiate S**g Bootcamp with Swingbytes Dance-Cotswold s**g 🎉

So lovely to see new S**g adventurers, diving into fundamentals and exploring connection and musicality together 🙌

Want to join us for our next one day workshop?

Our Christmas Lindy Choreo workshop is back on Sunday 6th December and we want YOU to join us for an action packed day of all levels collaboration and creativity 🎉

Find more details at: www.swingproject.co.uk/one-day-workshops

01/11/2026

Our annual festive Lindy Hop Choreo Workshop is back! 🎉 🎶

What better way to celebrate a year of dancing in Cardiff than joining us for an action packed afternoon of classic moves, fun rhythms and teamwork as we put together an all levels Choreo!

Aimed at dancers comfortable social dancing 6/8/Charleston, it’s always a delightful day full of cake, sweat and laughter! 🙏

⭐️ Learn more and book now at: www.swingproject.co.Uk/one-day-workshops

30/10/2026

Fancy learning the Shim Sham, danced by Lindy hoppers in every scene across the globe? Need to brush up on your half breaks and full breaks? We got you! 🙏 🎶

Join us on Thursday 12 Nov for a one off special as we dig into this classic routine, it’s steps and it’s history! 🎶 💫

📅 Thursday 12 Nov @ 7pm - 8.15pm
🏠 First Space Chapter Arts Centre
🤝 All Levels Welcome

For more information and booking, head to: www.swingproject.co.Uk/sign-up-now

lindyhophistory swingout smile fun swingmusic dancemore thingstodoincardiff balboa community cardiff jazzhistory

29/10/2026

Did you know you can take a class for just a fiver?! No experience or partner required! 🙌
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Come and join us next week at Wednesday Night Hop BOOTLEGGER CARDIFF - it’s our drop in class and social on the first Wednesday of every month! 🎶 🙌
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🎶 7-8pm : All Levels Lindy Hop Class ⁣(£5 on door) - no experience or partner required!
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✨ 8-10pm : FREE Social Dancing
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wednesday night hop: Drop In Classes Want to try Lindy Hop before committing to a 4-week course? Can’t make a block? Why not join us for Wednesday Night Hop, our drop in class & social, open to everyone and always beginner friendly - no partner or experience requiredWednesday Night Hop is held on ...

28/10/2026

It’s Spooky Swing Out this weekend and so it’s time to announce our DJ roster for the night 🧟‍♀️ 😈 🧙‍♂️

🎃 DJ James - James’ sets explore swing music from across the eras, from the classic sounds of Johnny Hodges and Artie Shaw through to artists such as Bobby “Blue” Bland and Muddy Waters. Expect plenty of rhythm, character and music that makes you want to move!

🎵 Current Earworm: Earl Bostic - Special Delivery Stomp (love that high energy and powerful saxophone)

👻 DJ Jessie - Prepare yourself for tasty riffs and juicy grooves from jazz OGs, early rhythm and blues and modern bands that swing hard. Plus some spooky little numbers that you’ll love to throw down to 🙌

🎵 Current Earworm: Central Avenue Hop - Dee Williams Sextet (cue stankface immediately!)

🎟️ Join us on 31 October for Spooky Swing Out -Tickets are just £10 online (£12 on the door): www.swingproject.co.Uk/sign-up-now

28/10/2026

It’s Spooky Swing Out this weekend and so it’s time to announce our DJ roster for the night 🧟‍♀️ 😈 🧙‍♂️

🎃 DJ James - James’ sets explore swing music from across the eras, from the classic sounds of Johnny Hodges and Artie Shaw through to artists such as Bobby “Blue” Bland and Muddy Waters. Expect plenty of rhythm, character and music that makes you want to move!

🎵 Current Earworm: Earl Bostic - Special Delivery Stomp (love that high energy and powerful saxophone)

👻 DJ Jessie - Prepare yourself for tasty riffs and juicy grooves from jazz OGs, early rhythm and blues and modern bands that swing hard. Plus some spooky little numbers that you’ll love to throw down to 🙌

🎵 Current Earworm: Central Avenue Hop - Dee Williams Sextet (cue stankface immediately!)

🎟️ Tickets are just £10 online (£12 on the door): www.swingproject.co.Uk/sign-up-now

27/10/2026

Our final block of Intro to Lindy Hop for 2026 kicks off NEXT week - will you be joining us?! 🙌

Find your dancing feet at Chapter Arts Centre - no partner or experience necessary 🎶

🎶 Intro to Lindy Hop
- Introductory 4 week course
- All about exploring fundamentals, history and rhythm together

Monday Nights @ 7pm (Our next block starts 2nd November)

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✨ Grab £5 off with the code INTRO5

Booking is open NOW at: https://swingproject.co.uk/sign-up-now

26/10/2026

We’re continuing our dive into classic clips at Level 1 this month, and this week it’s the turn of the iconic scene from “Hellzapoppin’” (1942) 🎶

The scene features four couples from Whitey’s Lindy Hoppers:
✔️ Frances “Mickey” Jones and William Downes
✔️ Norma Miller and Billy Ricker
✔️ Willa Mae Ricker and Al Minns
✔️ Ann Johnson and Frankie Manning

The movie is based on what was the longest running Broadway show at the time. In the stage version, Whitey’s Lindy Hoppers swung out to Count Basie’s “Jumpin at the Woodside” and so Frankie choreographed the film scene to this piece. Unfortunately though, the film production couldn’t get the rights to use this song in the film.

📚 Learn more about this iconic scene here: http://www.yehoodi.com/blog/2018/7/23/seven-things-you-should-know-about-hellzapoppin

25/10/2026

Tickets go on sale THIS MONDAY for our next Welsh Weekender, so it’s time for a little get to know our instructors… 🤩

⭐️ So who are Elze Visnevskyte and Peter Kertz? ⭐️

Peter & Elze are Lindy Hop dancers, performers, choreographers and educators. She comes from Lithuania, while he hails from Los Angeles and together, their dancing is all about play and connectedness. For them, Lindy Hop is much more than only leading and following - “it’s dancing... trying to feel your partner... and in the meantime having a freaking great time!”

Their musicality, playfulness, and creativity are not just parts of their personalities as dancers, but also as instructors. They have taught and performed across Europe, Asia, America, and Australia and we cannot wait to spend the weekend learning from these two as we bring them back to Wales this January!

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✨ ELZE & PETER WELSH WEEKENDER: 30-31st JANUARY 2027✨

Two days of world class teaching, community sharing, a Sunday tea dance and of course, a live band for our social on the Saturday night = 🤩🤩🤩

📣 TICKETS GO ON SALE MONDAY 26 OCT @ 5PM UK TIME

Find more details at: www.swingproject.co.uk/Welsh-weekender