Dancing with the Dragons Swing Patrol secured backing from Dragon’s Den’s Deborah Meaden (left) following a showcase of their dance style – and the exposure has allowed the movement to grow ever further. Out & about www.swingpatrol.co.uk Ice, ice baby... Try out London’s only skate path at the Canary Wharf ice rink. icerinkcanarywharf.com On patrol with the city swingers BY KEITH MAHON SWING dancing, made popular in dance halls across the USA in the 1930s and 40s, has become a craze across the capital once again, thanks in no small part to London-wide outfit Swing Patrol. A dedicated community of swing and blues dancers, the patrol organises social dancing nights at 34 venues across the city. Venues in east London are seeing a revival of jazz music and 40s styling, and of high-energy dances such as the lindy hop and balboa. Swing Patrol are particularly active in Tower Hamlets with frequent social events at Wilton’s Music Hall in Wapping, as well as weekly sessions in Shoreditch, Bethnal Green and a blues dancing night in Shadwell. The sessions are often accompanied by live swing or blues bands. The group secured backing from Dragon’s Den’s Deborah Meaden following a showcase of their dance style and the exposure has allowed the movement to grow ever further. Journeys Celebrates the output of students who attended weekly Art 4U2 classes over the last few years, which focus on teaching different mediums and art techniques. Until Feb 15. Brady Arts Centre, 192 Hanbury Street, E1. Swing Patrol with a dance night at Wilton’s Music Hall The company’s founder Scott Cupit moved from Australia with the idea five years ago and encourages dancers and non-dancers alike to go along. “The evening is full of games, floor shows and a taster lesson at the start for beginners, while the dancers still get time to dance their socks off as they please,” Scott told East End Life. Lindy hop sessions take place on Mondays from 8-10.15pm at The Backyard Comedy Club, 231 Cambridge Health Road, Bethnal Green; on Tuesdays from 7-10.15pm at The Royal Music Open jam session Hosted by trumpeter Kevin Davy who opens the evening with the house band. All good musicians welcome including instrumentalists, MCs and vocalists. Free. Sun, Jan 25. 7.30pm. Rich Mix, Inn on the Park, 111 Lauriston Road, Victoria Park and from 7-10.15pm at The Water Poet, 9-11 Folgate Street, Spitalfields; and on Sundays at 3.30pm and 4.45pm at Juno, 134 Shoreditch High Street, E1. Blues dancing is taught on Tuesdays from 7-11pm at the 4th Floor Studios, 255-259 Commerical Road, Shadwell and balboa on Wednesdays at 7.15pm and 8.15pm at 30 Hanbury Street, E1. Sessions cost between £8 and £12. For more information visit www. swingpatrol.co.uk 35-47 Bethnal Green Road, E1. 7613 7498 www.richmix.org.uk Winter Reverb Performance by electric guitar quartet The Colin Fallows Ensemble. Fri, Jan 16. 7.30pm. Free, booking required. Swing Patrol founder Scott Cupit gets ‘em on the dance floor Wilkinson Gallery, 50-58 Vyner Street, E2. 8980 2662 Talk 5x15 Five 15-minute talks by people speaking about their passions and achievements. This evening features Spitalfields’ The Gentle Author, artist Viktor Wynd, Irish singer-songwriter Lisa Hannigan and film makers Mike Figgis and Franny Armstrong. £15. Weds, Jan 21. 7.30pm Wilton’s Music Hall, Graces Alley, E1. 7702 2789 Theatre Need a Little Help A fun and thoughtful glimpse into a world of care based on the experiences of young carers. For ages 3-7. Tickets £6. Fri, Jan 16, 10.30am & 1.30pm; Sat, Jan 17, 11am, 1pm & 3pm. Half Moon Theatre, 43 White Horse Road, E1. JANUARY 2015 PROGRAMME OF EVENTS ICE RINK CANARY WHARF UNTIL 28 FEBRUARY / TIMES VARY / CANADA SQUARE PARK ICERINKCANARYWHARF.COM WINTER LIGHTS FESTIVAL @ CANARY WHARF MONDAY 5 - TUESDAY 30 JANUARY THROUGHOUT CANARY WHARF / FREE Eleven digital and lights installations illuminate the darkest month of the year. WINTER LIGHTS WEEKEND EVENTS & PERFORMANCES FRIDAY 9 – SUNDAY 11 JANUARY THROUGHOUT CANARY WHARF / FREE Light adventures for all the family to enjoy. CANARY WHARF QUIZ NIGHT WEDNESDAY 14 JANUARY / EAST WINTERGARDEN £15 PER TEAM OF 6 COMING SOON CANARY WHARF SQUASH CLASSIC MONDAY 23 - FRIDAY 27 MARCH / MATCH TIMES VARY EAST WINTERGARDEN / FROM £20 TICKETMASTER.CO.UK / 0844 8472419 / CANARYWHARFSQUASH.COM FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT CANARYWHARF.COM @YOURCANARYWHARF Booking fees apply. All details correct at time of press. 12 – 18 JANUARY 2015 NEWS FROM TOWER HAMLETS COUNCIL AND YOUR COMMUNITY GET A LIFE 3
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