Welcome to the Swing Patrol Blog! How exciting is this? We have so many cool people involved with Swing Patrol, we have a well organised web site and even a football team (Swing Patrol United.) But now, to top it all have we have…drum roll..a BLOG!!!

This blog is intended to be an online community for everyone involved with Swing Patrol. While it might have some similar news to our website it will also be updated with a range of cool things about fashion, music and all things that relate to the life of Swing Patrol and the art form we love…swing dancing!  Have a look around and see what you think!  Welcome.

If you love your vintage style then I have a new friend for you. Allow me to introduce Jessica…who likes to think of herself as a bit of  a curator of vintage images.

I am sure you’ll get as lost as I did in this great collection of Vintage Vogue photos on FLickr. The fashion photos are from 1920 through to 1965.  Her collections on Flickr – which include magazines, models, accessories and vintage stars. You could literally lose hours in there! You can also search by decade on her website. Genius.

Something tells me I’ll be spending a lot of time with Jessica….

My Vintage Vogue on Flickr
My Vintage Vogue on Twitter
My Vintage Vouge on Facebook

Take a peek at this amazing video of Mable Lee, the sassy chanteuse and jazz dancer with the million-dollar legs! Mable is often called ‘Queen of the Soundies’ – an early version of  music videos three-minute musical films, produced in New York, Chicago, and Hollywood between 1940 and 1946.  If you’ve never seen a soundies have a hunt for them. There’s some great ones with Fats Waller, my personal favourites !

Anyway, after you’ve seen ‘the legs’ speed through the wooden looking white folks and straight to the jams at the end. There’s some pearlers!

I love clips like this…they remind you that dancing is just fun, done rhythmically

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"Shorty" George Snowden and Big Bea

Shorty George Snowden is widely cited as one of the top dancers at the Savoy between 1926 and the early 1930s. He formed the first professional Lindy Hop troupe, the Shorty Snowden Dancers and is widely recognised for two things; the Shorty George dance step and coning the term Lindy Hop.

His famous dance step ‘The Shorty George’ – in which his bent his knees, swinging from side to side, exaggerate his closeness to the ground- is a parody of himself and his general tininess!

George was barely five feet tall. But he didn’t let that stop him. His dance partner Big Bea was huge in contrast and paired up they were considered comic dancing phenomenon. They often ended their routines in a comic move in which she carried him off the dance floor on her back.

Take a look at this clip from 1937 which shows George and Bea dancing…

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Missy Fatale presents……
The Swinging Burlesque Boudoir
Burlesque beauties and hot rhythms from the golden age of jazz!

Friday 16th July, 2010 at Proud Cabaret
Luxury supperclub & Jazz piano from 7.30pm
Showtime! 8.30pm
Social dancing and late-night floor show 11pm – 3am

Prize for best dressed (and best-undressed)….

Sponsored by Kiss Me Deadly lingerie

Join Missy Fatale, London’s most formidable red-head, for a night of decadent jazz, vintage strip-tease and wild swing dancing.
July’s revue presents …gin-soaked strumpets, eye-popping Lindy Hopping, Marilyn Monroe and her fabulous cake, steamy -solo Charleston, flaming LP’s and fire tassels, singing sirens, champagne showgirls, French Mannequins, and a banana-shaking finale!

Miss Fatale

**Missy Fatale**
Missy is one of London’s most sought after burlesque stars. Devoted to 1930’s swing dance, audiences across the world have been captivated by her hypnotic performances, including the red carpet opening of London Burlesque Week and the launch of Kiss Me Deadly lingerie.
This sassy burlesque siren has her five-inch heels firmly rooted in the formidable era of the Femme Fatale. With a passionate love of all things swing and an addiction to shimmying, she intoxicates her victims with her dark mysterious eyes and bewitches with her hips.

Banbury Cross

**Miss Banbury Cross**
Banbury Cross is a true vintage beauty, oozing the sex appeal and glamour of Hollywood’s Golden age. “She is a real show stopper” and a figure that will make any man weak at the knees. Debuting at the infamous Madam Jojo’s in 2008, Miss Banbury Cross is has quickly become the shinging star of British Burlesque, and show no sign of slowing down.

This Blonde Bombshell, Pin-Up and Sex Goddess draws her inspiration from The greats of Classic Burlesque and the timeless style of Marilyn Monroe.

Laurie Hagen

**Laurie Hagen**
A burlesque performer, actress and star of the screen, Laurie Hagen was also one of Miss Polly Rae’s original Hurly Burly girls. Her cabaret mentor is the sensational Dusty Limits who took her under his tarnished wings at an early age, leading this drunken strumpet to the glittering heights of London Town’s cabaret scene. The lesson you will learn is not to cross this dazzling lady – especially when she’s been at the gin…

Ivy Paige

**Ivy Paige**
Ivy Paige is a modern day diva who’ll break your heart and rock your world. With her trademark red hair, her lyrics, music and stage presence, it is no wonder she has been dubbed “A singing sensation and burlesque star.” As a presenter, Ivy has a sassy and witty rapport and has entertained audiences across the globe. She has presented and hosted shows on The West End Stages, including Cabaret Nights, London Burlesque Week and supported John Waters (The creator of Hairspray) on his UK Tour. One thing is guaranteed – this “Burlesque Rockstar” will continue to break your heart and rock your world!

Swingcopation

**Swingcopation**
Sensations of the London swing scene, Swingcopation have set the town on fire with their show-stopping lindy hop and solo Charleston routines! Authentic swing dance evoking the feel of 1930’s Harlem and the Savoy ballroom – they make the crowds cheer the hardest, and they don’t even take off their clothes….now that’s talent.

Tallulah Tonic

**Tallulah Tonic**
The gorgeous Tallulah Tonic is one half of the sensational singing duo Twin and Tonic, and our sultry stage kitten for the evening. This multi-talented songbird is inspired by the glamorous and sophisticated stars of the silver screen’s 30s and 40s hey day, and will blow your mind with her show-stopping legs!

Riddum ‘n’ Blue, and Boogie ‘n’ Woo with Fingers Wolfenstein on the 88’s (AKA the piano, for the uninitiated…)
Swing DJ Benjamin Cook will be hotting up the social dancefloor from 11pm – 3am. Bring your dancing shoes for some Lindy Hop, Charleston, shag, balboa, cakewalk, blackbottom or slow-drag!

Tickets
Advance show tickets £8 (More on the door)

Social dancing only (after 11pm) £5

3 course Supperclub & show £25 with Missy discount (email HQ@missyfatale.com for reservations)

BUY TICKETS ONLINE

24/7 Ticket Hotline: 01224 443377

For info call 07771 393 347
www.proudcabaret.com Tower Hill
Proud Cabaret No.1 Mark Lane (Corner of Dunster Court and Mark Lane) London EC3R 7AH

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What a great night we had at the Royal Albert Hall on Friday! It was just amazing to see such a huge and legendary venue filled with Swing Dancers. We’re SO proud of our two dancing teams, the Traffic Jam crew and the Happy Feet girls, who really pulled it out of the bag. Take a peek at their performances here…

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We just had to give a shout out to this post from the fantatsic Swing Fashionista blog of Sharon Davis’ recent shopping trip in Korea. If you’re wondering where dandy’s went , it was clearly to Korea! This snap was from a stall labelled Great Gatsby, a Korean brand. I look at this and dream whimsically of age before the invention of flip flops, sweatpants and elasticated waist unisex jeans. Guys…we want to see more of this style! Hot.

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In case you hadn’t noticed the sun is out and we’re feeling summery. So in that great British tradtion of running to park and lying there all day with a beer why not get yourself down to Newington Green for a spot of Jazz on the Green?

To support the local area Swing Patrol will be attending this event and dancing and handing out flyers. It will run from 12.30 to 3.30pm and feature The Brass Volcanoes.   As the old saying goes, only mad dogs and Englishmen bask in the mid day sun. Buck the trend and come and dance instead The lovely Ashleigh is in charge of picnic location and would love your support!

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For more informtion check out www.newingtongreen.org.uk

Psssttt….don’t tell anyone but we’ll be at the Secret Garden Party this year.  Yes, rehearsals have been underway and planning is a go-go for an exciting array of classes and performances at one of the UK’s best small festivals. Among the acts performing are Caravan Palace and we’ve been getting very exciting about the prospect of swinging out to them in a field in Cambridge shire. Swinging out to electro-swing?! I hear you cry. Yes! That’s right. And just in case you thought it couldn’t be done, take a look at this amazing performance form the Ninjammerz at  with the very same Caravan Palace at Festival de Jazz de Montréal.

Next challenge…swinging out in wellies. Oh dear…
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