Saturday was my first work shop door shift. I got up early to make sure I'd find my way to Richmond. I was scheduled for the all day door shift at the "Dance Factory". How exciting.
I was even early and happy to see Kerryn again who was on the same shift. She filled me in with what I had to do. That was mainly asking the dancers for their passes, get them to write themselves name tags, pointing out studio 8 or the nearest bathrooms. I also met my other shift mate Megan, who was lovely and even showed me some dancing moves at a quiet moment when everyone was busy in the classes.
There was also Moriah, who was doing a great job as the teacher's aide responsible for their lunches. She even managed to organise a requested coconut water within a few minutes although she had no idea where to get it from when I passed the message onto her. At that point I didn't even know what a coconut water was.
I got to see quite a few interesting classes that way over the weekend. I really enjoyed Remy and Ramona's classes. They had such a good message in all levels and got people excited. In one of the advanced classes Remy was told to write a book :-).
The day at the door passed quickly and it was time to get ready for the big night! - "Putting on the Ritz", location: Forum Theatre. I'm quoting the program here:
"Presented in conjunction with Melbourne International Jazz Festival. This will be the premier event of the Melbourne Swing Festival and a highlight of the swing year. Not to be missed!"
I'm so glad I didn't! The Forum is beautiful and a really big venue. I was blown away when I walked in! That was by far the most impressive venue I've seen or done some dancing at. There was a beginners class held when I entered and that was by far the biggest class I'd ever seen. A microphone was needed.
I knew there would be the moment for my favourite dress to come out of my backpack :-)! Everyone looked beautiful again and there was an interesting mix of dancers and jazz lovers. The reason why this big venue could be filled was the international Jazz Festival taking place at the same time. Having quite a few people there to 'only' watch and listen seemed to make every dancer a little part of a performance.
Just for fun and to show my friends what Lindy Hop is all about, I've often looked up competitions and really good dancers on YouTube quite a lot. Great to look at! I've also seen impressive dancers in jam circles at events but what I got to see here was just amazing!
The international teachers on the dance floor where performing to the band. Just great! Smooth, fast, fun moves. I was lucky and was sitting on the dance floor only an arm's length away. That made it very special. I love seeing performances live and in front of my eyes. It gives me a very special feeling.
The performance was really impressive but what made it so great might also have been due to the fact that I had watched some of the workshops and what had been taught there and now seeing the artists in action made it even clearer to my why they had been hired for the Melbourne Swing Festival!
That was the night when I decided not to worry about the trams and just to go for it. I even treated myself to a little glass of wine and never looked at the time again :-)!
By the end of the night I was in the best mood, had made some friends and was offered a lift to the after party. My first after party ever!
I felt slightly tired by the time we entered the upstairs are at the 'Forever Dance' in Richmond. There had been a lot of dancing at The Forum. However, soon I'd find out that there was just about anything available that would get a tired dancer back on their feet. Food, snacks, sweets, cups of tea and so on.
It was just great. All the energy came back and I felt like I could dance forever ;-). The venue was quite big and had a really chilled atmosphere. A blues room on one side and a bigger room with the band playing on the other side.
I recognised Georgia from the classes in Brunswick. I knew it was her band 'the Sentimental Gentlemen and Georgia' playing that night and had been looking forward to that. Beautiful! I can only recommend going to see them if you get the chance.
I found it quite impressive how many people where out and dancing way after midnight. There were more people around than back home at our bigger events. Wow! This is Melbourne for me again :-)! I heard that some dancers prefer the after parties and won't even go to the main event. I can see why but I would't have missed out on The Forum!
After a nice mix of dancing in front of the band and chilling at the side of the dance floor I was lucky enough to get a ride back to my place and my head hit the pillow around 4am.
By the end of the night I was in the best mood, had made some friends and was offered a lift to the after party. My first after party ever!
I felt slightly tired by the time we entered the upstairs are at the 'Forever Dance' in Richmond. There had been a lot of dancing at The Forum. However, soon I'd find out that there was just about anything available that would get a tired dancer back on their feet. Food, snacks, sweets, cups of tea and so on.
It was just great. All the energy came back and I felt like I could dance forever ;-). The venue was quite big and had a really chilled atmosphere. A blues room on one side and a bigger room with the band playing on the other side.
I recognised Georgia from the classes in Brunswick. I knew it was her band 'the Sentimental Gentlemen and Georgia' playing that night and had been looking forward to that. Beautiful! I can only recommend going to see them if you get the chance.
I found it quite impressive how many people where out and dancing way after midnight. There were more people around than back home at our bigger events. Wow! This is Melbourne for me again :-)! I heard that some dancers prefer the after parties and won't even go to the main event. I can see why but I would't have missed out on The Forum!
After a nice mix of dancing in front of the band and chilling at the side of the dance floor I was lucky enough to get a ride back to my place and my head hit the pillow around 4am.
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