On May 22nd-24th right here in Toronto we are hosting “Toronto Celebrates World Lindy Hop Day“. This is a very special weekend of Workshops, Dances and a special Sunday Inspirational & Historical talk. All proceeds helping to fund Lindy Hop initiatives in Toronto and the Frankie Manning Foundation! And did we mention that Dawn Hampton, Chazz Young and Sylvia Sykes will be in town??!! REGISTER TODAY!
At the event we will be having 3 nights of dancing and on the Friday, Saturday nights & Sunday Afternoon we have 3 outstanding bands for your dancing pleasure.
(Note: All Dances are being held at The Dovercourt House (805 Dovercourt Rd.West of Ossington subway station, North of Bloor)
Here is a taste of what is to come:
Friday Night: Roberta Hunt and the Gents
At the Door Pricing: $20 (space permitting).
Schedule: 6:45pm – Doors Open
7 pm – Additional Class Balboa technique with Sylvia Sykes ($25)
8 pm – Shim Sham Lesson
9 pm – Opening Dance with Bertie and the Gents!
1 am – Wrap up
ABOUT: Roberta Hunt is an exhilarating jazz and blues musician – she is a singer, piano player and songwriter. With her signature rootsy and blues style, one music critic wrote, “Mix big piano with beautiful voice, add some attitude and a lot of charisma. With a penchant for those you-done-me-wrong songs and her musical roots in the jazz and spirituals of New Orleans: a picture of Roberta Hunt starts to emerge…”
A sought-after musician in the Ontario music scene, Roberta’s personal and exuberant approach to performance has now mixed with the swing/Lindy dance scene resulting in sizzling energy between dancers and the band that electrifies the audience (source).
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Here is a great video from last summer in St. James Park with Bertie & the Gents and several Toronto Lindy Hoppers enjoying dancing in the park.
Saturday Night-Dawn Hampton Ball & Silent Auction with Martin Loomer & the Orange Devils Big Band
At the Door Pricing: $35 (includes Late Night blues, Silent Auction, Special Performances and so much more).
Schedule: 6:45pm – Doors Open
7pm – Beginner Charleston Lesson
8pm – Beginner Swing Lesson
9pm – Double Decker Extravaganza Swing Night, Bake Sale and Silent Auction with the 14 Piece Big Band “Martin Loomer”
12am – Late Night DJ’ed Dance in collaboration with Toronto Blues Dance
About: You want a Big Band? Your Getting a BIG BAND! Martin Loomer & The Orange Devils are 14 piece swing Big band and they will fill the Dovercourt on Saturday Night playing music by Duke Ellington, Fletcher Henderson, Jimmie Lunceford, Benny Carter, Count Basie and so much more. Not to Miss Night!
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Here they are at their Monthly Residency at the Monarch Tavern.
AND here they are at this years TUX playing a Jam for the dancers.
Sunday Afternoon: “Patrick Tevlin”
At the Door Pricing: Sunday Afternoon is a full package: $30 (includes Panel Discussion, afternoon dance (Dovercourt) and the after party (at the Imperial Pub)
Schedule: 10 am – Doors open
10:30 am – Panel Discussion with Dawn Hampton, Chazz Young and Sylvia Sykes
11:30 pm – Historical retrospective with Mike Thibault
12:30 pm – Wrap up
Afternoon Dance (note: no at the door pricing for sunday’s afternoon dance. You must buy full day ticket)
2:30 pm – Dance with music by Patrick Tevlin
5:30 pm – Wrap up
Patrick Tevlin’s hot New Orleans-style trumpet leads The Happy Pals New Orleans Party Orchestra, New Orleans Rhythm, The Magnolia Brass Band and other groups performing in the Toronto area and around the world.
Tevlin’s groups have recorded often, always to rave reviews, such as “This is New Orleans jazz at its best.” (JazzReview.com, USA). Working in the studio, Tevlin has appeared on many other artists’ recordings as well. He has toured extensively in Europe, and been featured as a guest artist with groups in France and the UK.
On his first trip to New Orleans, in 1978, Patrick met trumpet great Kid Thomas Valentine and promptly fell in love with the New Orleans style. He lives in Toronto, but his soul lives in New Orleans.
Additional Dances (DJ’d):
- Late Night Blues After the Saturday Night Dance: FB Invite, Website Schedule
- After 11pm: $10 (included in Saturday’s dance ticket if purchased)
- Toronto WLHD After-Party (at the Imperial Pub): FB Invite, Website Schedule
- $5 @ the door pricing (included in Sunday’s ticket if purchased)
Getting excited?? I know we are! See you on the dance floor. And remember to register today!
Note: Dance Passes are $75 and includes the Historical Panel Talk on Sunday with Dawn, Chazz and Sylvia
TLH
