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| the Oxford Lindy Exchange branding with All Souls College in the background |
As I've only been dancing for two years the idea of going to a Lindy exchange was one that I had put off for a while as I figured I'd rather go to an event with workshops than just turn up at a few socials and dance without getting to learn anything.
What a daft notion that's turned out to be.
For a start, socials are actually the best place to learn. Those new moves need to be test-driven eventually, but when you venture into a new scene you also get to watch other dancers who have been taught by other teachers and maybe have a few shapes that differ from those thrown by every other dancer in your home scene
But it still took me until this past weekend to finally go to a Lindy exchange and discover what I've been missing for the last two years, and OLX was one heck of a way to start!
At some stage last year I discovered SwingPlanit (and if you don't already know that website, prepare to waste some serious time on it!) which led to me making a few mental notes of scenes I'd like to visit and Facebook events worth following. One of these, OLX, happened to be holding a competition last December to give away an event pass to whoever provided a winning design for their new branding, and with the help of many of you (thanks again!) mine was chosen and that free pass was winging my direction.
I'd never previously been to Oxford but had heard great things, and as someone whose real job is in academia it is a city that has always held a natural fascination for me, so I was very much looking forward to finally visiting.
That said, and sadly on a more sombre personal note, my grandmother passed away suddenly last week which gave me serious consideration to just staying at home. I was very close to my grandmother but I knew one of the things she never tolerated was anyone moping around, especially on her behalf, so I decided that a few days away would be a healthy distraction. And it inevitably proved that Granny's "just get on with it!" mantra was as right as ever.
And so immediately after work on Friday I drove to Belfast International airport and, by way of Gatwick and a couple of hours on a bus, I arrived in Oxford around 10pm and threw myself straight into the thick of things after a quick costume change.
It didn't take long to break a sweat due a triple combo of the obvious high intensity aerobic exercise, warm weather, and a beautiful venue with windows that couldn't be opened. Thank goodness for the industrial air blowers!
Friday night proved to be a cracking sample of what was to follow for the weekend: great weather, great venue, fantastically fast floor (love dem slides), amazing live music, and, best of all, a fun and friendly Lindy herd.
...'herd' - I think we need a better collective noun for swing dancers. A fling... a jam... a savoy... a sweat... a murmuration?!
OK, back on point.
I have to admit, I was initially unsure if I was actually in the right city because as chance would have it nearly all of my first dances were with girls from Cambridge along with a fair few from Reading and Bristol. In fact, by the time the Lindy was over and we headed for the blues venue, I had still only danced with two locals!
Around this point in the evening I met my host, Matt, and I have to give him a massive thank-you, not only for hosting but also for adding to my Oxford experience by loaning me a bike (I felt like a local and everything), showing me around a few colleges, and just generally being great craic.
When we arrived for the blues I spent a good while just chatting to people and watching everyone else dance. I shortly discovering that there were actually a lot of Oxford dancers and it was great to meet and get to know folk a bit better (as I was swingin' solo from Belfast after all!) but another reason for not bouncing onto the floor as per usual was because I had absolutely no idea how to blues dance.
About a year ago I think I went to a grand total of three classes and I've not touched blues dancing since. So to stand and watch people who, to my eyes, looked like they knew what they were doing was a little intimidating and reminded me of how I felt at my first Lindy socials - where the longer you stand the less eager you feel. But thankfully that wasn't to last too long.
I figured I had to learn somehow and as I'd already found that everyone I'd met seemed cast from a fun and forgiving mould then the opportunity was there. So, starting with an apology for what was to come, I asked someone up for a dance and after that I don't think I stopped all night!
One of the great advantages of blues dancing is the physical closeness of the hold - not for the reasons some may think - but because it means that rather than looking at your partner this closeness practically encourages you to look past them and over their shoulder... allowing you to watch and copy the better dancers!
I also got to talking with a few of these more experienced dancers and they further allayed my fears by explaining that, unlike Lindy, in blues the basic rules are much looser and there is plenty of scope for 'individual interpretation' (also translated as: 'fake it 'til you make it') which allowed me the opportunity to get up with a little bit more confidence.
Saturday morning came too soon after the night before but involved a tour of the Pitt Rivers Museum that easily reinvigorated me for the day ahead courtesy of its natural history and anthropology exhibits with great additional insights provided by Mark. It was then the turn of Russell to lead us on an info-laden tour around the key sights of the city proper before we headed to the park for a relaxing afternoon of games, conversation and sunburn.
After a nip into a vintage store on the way home, a quick nap and a bite to eat, I was soon heading out again to another stunning and historic venue: the Oxford Union.
A good dance floor, good music and good partners are what make up the holy trinity of social dancing. If one is lacking but the other two are exceptionally good then a blind eye can be turned, but more often than not you really need all three to have a great night. However, one of the things that can embellish an evening is if this triumvirate is featured somewhere special.
The Oxford Union (not to be confused with the student's union) is a beautiful building within an equally peaceful setting but what adds to its mystique is its significance in hosting debates, lectures and seminars from some of history's greatest luminaries of science, politics, art, and business since 1823. I have danced in many impressive venues but I can think of none that come close in prestige.
At the end of the Saturday night Lindy, more blues dancing again followed and for this there was yet more incredible live music in another quirky venue. The heat of the dance room was something else but the Finns would have us believe that great health benefits can come from warm, wood-clad venues so I shall consider it beneficial.
The Sunday afternoon involved a return to the Oxford Union for an afternoon tea dance in the garden before again moving inside the main chamber for the weekend's final action, and it goes without saying that the musical accompaniment to each of these dances was provided by amazing live bands.
After the formal conclusion of events, thanks and goodbyes were shared although a small group of us managed to extend the weekend's activity for a few more hours with burritos and dancing in the park before moving things indoors until the wee small hours. It was lovely low-key way to finish what had been a fantastic weekend for me and I am not only keen to return next year but my appetite for Lindy exchanges has now been well and truly whetted.
A massive congratulations and thanks must go to organiser-in-chief, Madeleine, and her OLX crew; to the sensational musicians Melody Room Jazz Band, Down for the Count, Little Moaner and the Tantrums, Nick Gill and the Oxford Classic Jazz Band, and Benoit Viellefon and his Orchestra; to Matt for hosting me; and most of all, to the incredible dancers of OLX2015 - my first Lindy exchange was an absolute belter, so thank you all for contributing to a stunning weekend.
About a year ago I think I went to a grand total of three classes and I've not touched blues dancing since. So to stand and watch people who, to my eyes, looked like they knew what they were doing was a little intimidating and reminded me of how I felt at my first Lindy socials - where the longer you stand the less eager you feel. But thankfully that wasn't to last too long.
I figured I had to learn somehow and as I'd already found that everyone I'd met seemed cast from a fun and forgiving mould then the opportunity was there. So, starting with an apology for what was to come, I asked someone up for a dance and after that I don't think I stopped all night!
One of the great advantages of blues dancing is the physical closeness of the hold - not for the reasons some may think - but because it means that rather than looking at your partner this closeness practically encourages you to look past them and over their shoulder... allowing you to watch and copy the better dancers!
I also got to talking with a few of these more experienced dancers and they further allayed my fears by explaining that, unlike Lindy, in blues the basic rules are much looser and there is plenty of scope for 'individual interpretation' (also translated as: 'fake it 'til you make it') which allowed me the opportunity to get up with a little bit more confidence.
Saturday morning came too soon after the night before but involved a tour of the Pitt Rivers Museum that easily reinvigorated me for the day ahead courtesy of its natural history and anthropology exhibits with great additional insights provided by Mark. It was then the turn of Russell to lead us on an info-laden tour around the key sights of the city proper before we headed to the park for a relaxing afternoon of games, conversation and sunburn.
After a nip into a vintage store on the way home, a quick nap and a bite to eat, I was soon heading out again to another stunning and historic venue: the Oxford Union.
A good dance floor, good music and good partners are what make up the holy trinity of social dancing. If one is lacking but the other two are exceptionally good then a blind eye can be turned, but more often than not you really need all three to have a great night. However, one of the things that can embellish an evening is if this triumvirate is featured somewhere special.
The Oxford Union (not to be confused with the student's union) is a beautiful building within an equally peaceful setting but what adds to its mystique is its significance in hosting debates, lectures and seminars from some of history's greatest luminaries of science, politics, art, and business since 1823. I have danced in many impressive venues but I can think of none that come close in prestige.
At the end of the Saturday night Lindy, more blues dancing again followed and for this there was yet more incredible live music in another quirky venue. The heat of the dance room was something else but the Finns would have us believe that great health benefits can come from warm, wood-clad venues so I shall consider it beneficial.
The Sunday afternoon involved a return to the Oxford Union for an afternoon tea dance in the garden before again moving inside the main chamber for the weekend's final action, and it goes without saying that the musical accompaniment to each of these dances was provided by amazing live bands.
After the formal conclusion of events, thanks and goodbyes were shared although a small group of us managed to extend the weekend's activity for a few more hours with burritos and dancing in the park before moving things indoors until the wee small hours. It was lovely low-key way to finish what had been a fantastic weekend for me and I am not only keen to return next year but my appetite for Lindy exchanges has now been well and truly whetted.
A massive congratulations and thanks must go to organiser-in-chief, Madeleine, and her OLX crew; to the sensational musicians Melody Room Jazz Band, Down for the Count, Little Moaner and the Tantrums, Nick Gill and the Oxford Classic Jazz Band, and Benoit Viellefon and his Orchestra; to Matt for hosting me; and most of all, to the incredible dancers of OLX2015 - my first Lindy exchange was an absolute belter, so thank you all for contributing to a stunning weekend.
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