Jumptown Workshops

Jumptown Swing is committed to bringing the best to Canberra by offering opportunities to learn from great teachers – some home-grown, and some with stellar international reputations. Jumptown workshops are always fun, and are a great way to take your dancing to the next level.

Check back here, or keep a weather eye on the Jumptown calendar to see what’s coming up.

Best of Strolls Workshop – starts Thursday 28th July!

Just in time for Canberra’s biggest social dancing event of the year, you now have the opportunity to learn 3 fun and authentic solo strolls that are sure to be danced throughout the Canberrang weekend. These 3 solo routines are an integral part of swing dancing history and are rarely taught in succession, so take advantage of this opportunity to learn these inspirational solo routines from the 1930s! No partner required!

When:
Thurs 28th July – The Shim Sham, 7:30 – 8:30pm @ Griffith Neighbourhood Centre
Saturday 30th July – Tranky Do, 10 – 12pm @ White Eagle Club, O’Connor)
Saturday 6th Aug – Al and Leon Shim Sham, 10 – 12pm @ Griffith Neighbourhood Centre

Where:
Griffith Neighbourhood Centre (Thurs social venue) & White Eagle Club (Wed venue)

Cost:
One hour workshops – $14 each
Two hour workshops – $18 each
Two workshops – $25
All three workshops – $30

How do I book:
Register your interest by emailing classes@jumptown.org or you can simply arrive on the day.

Here are 2 clips of dancers enjoying the Shim Sham all over the world to give you a taste of how universal this dance is. Plus you’ll even spot some local Canberrans in the clip – look for New Parliament House! -

Another great clip with the late Frankie Manning leading the Shim Sham -

The Tranky Doo is another great jazz dance, just a common as the Shim Sham back in the day. Originally choreographed by Pepsi Bethel , the Tranky Do first appeared at the Savoy Ballroom in Harlem during the 1940s. You will love this routine – its challenging, fun and allows lots of individual expression.

Here’s a clip to get you excited -

Al and Leon’s Shim Sham – There are at least 3 alternative choreographies to the universally known Shim Sham dance. One developed by Frankie Manning, another by Al Minns and Leon James (also called the ‘Savoy Shim Sham’), and a third by Dean Collins. If you know the original Shim Sham, you’ll love this Al and Leon version of the dance. Here is an old time clip to take you back -