Blindfolded Lindy Hop! Sensory deprivation for improved connection.

This special trust training workshop will put your leading and following skills to the test! How well do you trust your partner? As a leader, how well are you taking care of your partner, and as a follower, are you really letting the leader do their job? In this special workshop we’ll train our senses using special blindfolding exercises. By removing our sense of vision we’ll heighten our other senses. This is a fantastic learning experience. Don’t miss it!

Wednesday, December 28^th

– Level 1.5+, 6pm to 8pm, $20

Song: Gimme A Pigfoot

Artist: Bessie Smith

Description: This is not really a Lindy Hop song, but a fabulous and very historically important vintage Blues song. It’s tempo is just quick enough that you could do a little bit of Lindy Hop to it, but really it’s the vibe of the song that you’ll want to embrace. Bessie Smith really sets the feeling of the era that we love so much.

Song: Are You Hep To The Jive?

Artist: Cab Calloway

Description: Songs like this are just purely fun! This is why I wish I had been raised during the swing era. Why don’t people write songs like this anymore? Popular music sure has changed.

Song: Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy

Artist: The Andrews Sisters

Description: Continuing today’s Remembrance Day theme and in preparation for Swing Out To Victory, The Andrews Sisters certainly provide the sound and some of the key imagery of 1940s wartime. This is an Andrews Sisters favourite among Lindy Hoppers.

SONG OF THE WEEK

Song: Route 66

Artist: Nat King Cole

Description: Nat King Cole had the most velvety smooth voice! This is a swinging jazz standard and Nat classic. A definite must in every swinging jazz music collection.

The song is about U.S. Route 66, also known as the Main Street of America or the Mother Road or The most famous road in the world. The song was written by Bobby Troup and originally recorded by the Nat King Cole Trio in 1946, and later it was also performed by such artists as Chuck Berry, The Rolling Stones, The Manhattan Transfer and even Depeche Mode!

Toronto Lindy Hop Presents: Cabaret! November 26th.

Toronto Lindy Hop is excited to announce the return of this beloved evening of community performances. Song, dance, skits & more followed by a Saturday Night Swing dance, all at the Dovercourt House.

There will be many performances by Bees’ Knees students and instructors, as well as from other members of the community. Don’t miss it!

Please visit the Toronto Lindy Hop website for more information.

SONG OF THE WEEK

Song: Swingin’ At the Seance

Artist: The Johnny Long Orchestra

Description: Looking for a swinging Halloween song? This is a great option. The original is by the Johnny Long Orchestra and has a nice vintage feel to it.

Since then, it’s been covered by a contemporary band called the Moon Rays. Cheesy video, but a fun song.

Song: I Hear Music

Artist: Billie Holiday

Description: Billie Holiday is certainly a jazz favourite but not many of her songs are appropriate for Lindy Hop. Here’s one of the few songs that’s swinging and of an appropriate tempo. So great!

Song: Be Careful (If You Can’t Be Good)

Artist: Buddy Johnson & His Orchestra

Description: Most of you will recognize this as my favourite song choice in Beginner Swing classes. I find this song to be the perfect tempo, as well as being a clear recording. I also encourage you to check out other music by Buddy Johnson & His Orchestra.

SONG OF THE WEEK

Song: The Lady is a Tramp

Artist: Tony Bennett & Lady GaGa!

Description: I never ever EVER would have imagined that I would post something about Lady GaGa here. I have never willingly sat through one of her songs until now – yes, I’m a big music snob. But she’s teamed up on Tony Bennett’s Duets II album to make this recording and I think it’s pretty neat. Just the fact that something swinging will be reaching new audiences makes me very pleased.

Now, I’m only really posting this as a novelty. If you’d like to look in to great earlier recordings of this song, check out those below by Ella Fitzgerald and Frank Sinatra.