Get into the Dunkirk spirit

Seeing as Germany just won the Eurovision Song contest, whilst simultaneously we're commemorating - on the beaches of Dunkirk this weekend - the success of our endeavours in Operation Dynamo during World War II, I thought now was a great time to mention this.

The Lindy Hop craze, sprung form the Savoy Ballroom in Harlem USA around 1926, where regular Sunday competitions pushed the dancers to invent new steps whilst dancing to the Big Band sound.  It became a dance craze, worldwide, known as Jitterbug and morphing into Rock'n'Roll, Boogie Woogie and Swing. In Britain during WW2 it became extremely popular in the dance halls around the UK.  And guess what! You can relive it all here in Balham!  

C Jam is Swingland's south london weekly Tuesday night swing dance and music club hosted at The Bedford, There's swing dance classes for beginners through to intermediates followed by freestyle dancing.  No need to book!  Just turn up.  Here's what their website says. 'A typical night at C Jam attracts a crowed of between 50 to 100 people from all walks of life, and all age ranges .... probably the most fun you can possibly have keeping in shape!'

And what about this.  In true dance hall tradition, there's a monthly 2 O'Clock Jump club, on a Friday at the Bedford.  Billed as a vintage dance party this will be a glamourous affair with a smart dress code - vintage or retro encouraged! Dance until the early hours in the spirit of the great Harlem ballrooms!  The next one is on Friday 4 June and tickets cost £12, dancing to Graham Hughes & The Sunshine Kings! Now, that's the spirit!