BLUE HARLEM

21.30 – 23.15

THE HEP CHAPS

19.15 – 21.00

Cripes! We’re taking you cats back to the 30’s and 40’s for the opening night of the festival, with two superb swinging bands for you to strut your stuff to. Our headliner for Thursday is the fantastic Blue Harlem from London. They come highly praised by the London Swing Dance Society and are regulars of Ronnie Scotts, The 100 Club and Jitterbugs. The band lay claim to launching the career of current UK star Imelda May and are now proud to feature as their vocalist the sensational Sophie Shaw.

Blue Harlem

With a love for the music of the golden swing era and with the likes of Nat “King” Cole, Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Jordan and Count Basie as their heroes, you can be sure that the band will get you jumping!

Their brand of high energy big band swing and R&B that would have been equally at home at the Apollo or the Savoy in the 40′s as it is today – Blues & Rhythm Magazine

They are supported by the wonderful Hep Chaps, a favorite with swing dancers all over the region. Mingling well-known swing tunes from the 30s & 40s with their own originals in the same classic style this band is one of the most fun & accessible dance bands around.

You don’t need to be able to swing dance to enjoy our Thursday night – the music and rhythm is fun and infectious, and we challenge you to listen and not want to get up and boogie! Of course, if you’ve always fancied learning – come to the workshop before and then show off your new moves.