Swingin’ to Spring! (2024)

 

Fredericton Swing Dance is inviting community members, music lovers, and dance aficionados to Swingin’ to Spring 2024, our 8th annual swing dance event! It includes 2 days of of dancing, starting with live music by the The Thomists Big Band (Friday), followed by live music by the The Alex Bailey Swing Band (Saturday) as well as workshop swing dance classes Saturday afternoon.

An all-levels swing dance lesson at 7:00pm Friday and an intro (no experience or partner required!) beginner lesson at 7:00pm before the main event on Saturday is included in the price of admission. There will also be Mix & Match preliminaries Saturday afternoon with finals that Saturday evening!

Indoor footwear is required at all events. There will be refreshments at the dances and a cash bar will be available on Saturday – a valid I.D. is required for the cash bar.

Schedule: Friday May 10th

7pm-10pm Dance at The Cultural Centre (28 Saunders St)
7:00pm – All levels lesson with guest instructor Tobias Zan from Halifax
8:00pm-10:00pm – Dancing with The Thomists Big Band!

https://www.facebook.com/events/380250971487351/

Schedule (afternoon): Saturday May 11th

Workshops at the Fredericton Convention Centre (670 Queen St) with Gabrielle Macklin and Claire Ahern
Note: You should be comfortable with the basic 6 count and 8 count step footwork for these classes!

12:00pm – 12:30pm: Registration and sign-in!
12:30pm – 1:30pm: Workshop 1: We Cats Will Swing for You
1:30pm – 1:45pm: 15 minute break
1:45pm – 2:45pm: Workshop 2: I Know How to Do It
2:45pm-3:00pm: 15 minute break
3:00pm-4:00pm: Workshop 3: Fascination Rhythm
4:00pm-4:30pm: Mix and Match prelims    

Workshop descriptions:

Workshop 1: We Cats Will Swing for You
Ever wondered what the trick to the perfect swing out is? We’ve got some tools and tips to make your swing outs feel smooth and clean!
 
Workshop 2: I Know How to Do It
Ever watch dancers that seem to have memorized the song they’re dancing to? We’ll discuss song structure, and how to structure your dance to fit the music, making it fit like a glove!
 
Workshop 3: Fascination Rhythm
Ever wished you could express with your body the rhythms you’re hearing in your head? We’ll show you how to put those rhythms on the dance floor, with and without a partner!
 
https://www.facebook.com/events/1388908272511029/
 
Schedule (evening): Saturday May 11th
 

7pm-11pm Dance at the Fredericton Convention Centre (670 Queen St)
7:00pm Beginner swing dance lesson
8:00pm Live music and dancing with The Alex Bailey Swing Band!
8:40pm Mix and Match competitor meeting
8:50pm Mix and Match competition!
9:00pm More live music and dancing with The Alex Bailey Swing Band!

https://www.facebook.com/events/1412182299424085/

11:30pm-2am: Late night blues at the Speakeasy at The Royal Barbershop (530 Queen St.)
Still looking to dance after Swinging to spring? ???? Come unwind and slow it down with some blues dancing at the Speakeasy! 10$ cover for this special after hours event, paid at the door (cash or card)
Because of bar capacity, please email frederictonswing@gmail.com to reserve your spot (limited spots!) BLUES EVENT IS SOLD OUT

https://www.facebook.com/events/1459627208321180/

Workshop instructors:

We are super excited to announce our instructors for the weekend: Gabrielle Macklin & Claire Ahern!!

Gabrielle Macklin

Who would have thought running by the university swing dance office every day between classes would have started a decade long passion? For Gaby, that’s exactly what happened. One semester she started dancing with the University of Manitoba Swing Dance Club, and she’s never stopped. Transitioning from thirteen years of musical theatre to swing dancing was easy for Gaby, as for her, the joy and energy of Lindy Hop is the same joy and energy needed to put on a fantastic show – which is the same style she brings to her teaching. After having opportunities to dance her way across Canada, the US and the UK, Gaby has a singular goal when she teaches Lindy Hop – for people to walk away having a great time dancing with each other!

Swing dancer Claire Ahern is a dynamic performer, charismatic instructor, and passionate champion of swing dance in New Brunswick. Claire learned to swing dance in Halifax, NS, where she also began teaching and has since danced across Canada, the U.S., and Europe. In 2019, Ms. Ahern moved to Saint John NB, a city bereft of a swing dance scene. Claire quickly took matters into her own hands to create a swing dance community from scratch and founded Saint John Swing Dance. Since then, she has hosted many swing events, lesson series, live band and outdoor dances, and has taught hundreds of folks how to dance. A keen collaborator, Claire is thrilled to be teaching at Swingin’ to Spring 2024!

 

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Class descriptions:

TBH

Note:
All workshops have a prerequisite of having done at least a few of the previous beginner 6 and 8 count classes.

A video from 2016

Billets

If you’re a local dancer able to offer a place, or coming from out of town and looking for a place to stay with friendly local swing dancers, please email: frederictonswing.billets@gmail.com

Prices

Friday dance: $25 ($20 early bird!)
Saturday dance: $30 ($25 early bird!)
Workshops: $15 each at the door
Weekend pass (includes both Friday and Saturday dances as well as all 3 workshops): $90

This year there are no physical tickets. “Tickets” can be purchased in class, at the door or on this page through Paypal (Note: The Paypal price includes an extra 4% fee): Paypal now closed!

As well as a Facebook event for each thing happening this weekend!

Friday night with The Thomists:
https://www.facebook.com/events/380250971487351/

Saturday afteroon workshops:
https://www.facebook.com/events/1388908272511029/

Saturday evening main event:
https://www.facebook.com/events/1412182299424085/

Questions?

Contact us

Fredericton Swing Dance