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    Thanks to everyone who came to this at the end of 2012. Further details of the 2013 event will be out by the summer but in the meantime the details of 2012 below will give you an idea of what to expect.....

    New Year Swing 'n' Blues!     28th Dec 2012 - 1st Jan 2013

    Event is completely SOLD OUT - waiting lists for followers and couples are now closed, but we'll take 2-3 more on to the leaders waiting list in case of cancellations.

    We have a lovely weekend of lindy hop and blues for you, in one of the UK's friendliest dance cities. Come and enjoy a relaxed weekend with friends old and new, all at a super-value own-brand bargain-basement price!

    We're still working on or two details still, so expect some minor changes (for instance, we hope to include more live music), but in the meantime here's a rough idea of what to expect:

    Fri 28th Dec
         Ain't Misbehavin' dance night @ The Southbank Club (10 mins walk from harbourside)
    7.30pm-12am Mainly swing

    Sat 29th Dec
    Daytime classes      @ The Southbank Club
    11am-5pm We'll start with a solo jazz routine and then have two rooms running classes so you'll generally have a choice between Blues and Lindy/Boogie Woogie. 

    Dance @ Easton Community Centre (10 mins bus or cycle from city centre, or 30 mins walk)
    7.30pm-9pm Dinner available in the cafe: cheap, good food from the resident chef.
    8.30pm-2.30am Swing and blues DJs, plus live band (tbc). Cafe open all night for snacks, tea/coffee, and soft drinks. 

    Sun 30th Dec
    Daytime classes      @ The Southbank Club
    12-5pm We'll start with a solo jazz routine and then have two rooms running classes so you'll generally have a choice between Blues and Lindy/Boogie Woogie.

    Dance @ Easton Community Centre
    8.30pm-2am Swing and blues DJs. Cafe open all night for snacks, tea/coffee, and soft drinks.

    Late night @ The Island (right by the central shopping area, 5 mins walk from the Harbourside) 
    2.30-6am Blues, blues, blues.... Tea/coffee/toast available.

    Mon 31st Dec
    Tea Dance @ The Old Duke 
    2pm - 6pm Swing and blues with live set from Eric Arthur.

    Late afternoon forum on developing dance scenes (specific topic suggestions welcome)

    NYE dance @ The Island (right by the central shopping area, 5 mins walk from the Harbourside) 
    9.30pm-5am A fun class suitable for all, then a relaxed event to see in the New Year with friends old and new, a lovely chill-out area and of course the dance floor will be going all night with a mix of swing and blues.  Tea/coffee/snacks available.

    Tues 1st Jan
    Afternoon social dance @ Azucar      

    Teachers

    We'll have teacher bios here very soon, but just so you know who's coming:

    Adamo & Alba (London/Madrid) - Blues
    Ben & Jane (Amsterdam/London) - Solo Jazz, Boogie Woogie, Lindy Hop
    Rob & Tina (Leeds) - Lindy Hop
    David (Bristol) - Blues, Lindy Hop

     

    Prices and booking

    One of the aims of this weekend is to provide a low-cost weekender at an expensive time of year, and we've kept prices as low as we can make them, therefore we can't offer any reduction if you're only coming for a shorter weekend.

    Full package £65
    Social pass: all the dances (very limited availability) £55

    We expect to sell out and there are unlikely to be tickets for individual events. If there are these will be announced in December.

    It's a relaxed social weekend, with an atmosphere more like an exchange than a dance camp, so we're not going to be ultra-strict on balance of leads/follows (and classes will all be drop-in anyway), but we will operate a waiting list if we need to, as we don't want the dances to be imbalanced at a level that's frustrating.

    Some hosting will be available, prioritised for people from abroad and for those who book early. No guarantees but we usually manage to host everyone who books our events 6-8 weeks in advance, and sometimes even those who book late.

    To book just email:
    david@swingdancebristol.com
    We'll send you details of how to pay and confirm once we've received your payment. We're aiming to keep admin to a minimum and will send full details of events/locations in December, including details of what events you can bring your own alcohol to, and a menu for the food available at Easton Community Centre (This webpage and the facebook event will be updated with more details as we have them).

    UPDATE 28/10/12: Bookings have been open just over a week and we are very nearly sold out!
    We have a few places left for leads or couples (you don't need to be together in classes, just for overall balance).
    We already have a waiting list for followers, but once fully booked will start waiting lists for leads & couples, and would expect to have a few places become available as we chase payment.

    Accommodation

    All events will be in or near the city centre, so we'd suggest looking for accommodation within easy reach of there.

    here are several hostels:
    http://www.yha.org.uk/find-accommodation/south-west-england/hostels/Bristol/index.aspx
    http://www.rocknbowlmotel.com/
    http://www.fullmoonbristol.co.uk/ 
    http://www.bristolbackpackers.co.uk/

    We've had some particularly good reports back from people who've stayed at the YHA in the past.

    You'll easily find hotels on a search, but for starters some of the central ones are:
    Ibis
    Marriott
    Novotel
    City Inn
    Ramada
    Mercure
    Premier (right by coach station)

    Probably worth checking for those and others via one of the sites such as LateRooms.com as you may find a better deal.

     

    Hosting

    We’ll host as many as we can on a first-come first-served basis – so the earlier you book the better! We aim to let everyone know about their hosts/guests as early as possible so there will be time for you to make other arrangements if we can’t find a host.

     Info for guests:

    • You may have your own bedroom with four poster bed and en suite marble bathroom, or you may have a space on the floor in a shared room and need to bring a mat and sleeping bag.
    • Your host is not expected to pay for your food, so please expect to buy food or contribute to groceries. The same applies to transport.
    • All hosting accommodation is non-smoking (unless your host tells you otherwise).
    • It’s a good idea to contact your host, informing them of your travel plans and enquiring about any bedding or towels you need to bring.
    • It’s not required but a small gift for your host is always appreciated :-)

     Info for hosts:

    • If you have a spare bedroom that’s great, otherwise floor space is fine and guests can bring mats and sleeping bags. Guests are usually very grateful for your hospitality and not too concerned about space or luxurious facilities.
    • You’re not expected to pay for/provide all your guests’ food.
    • You’re not responsible for transporting your guests around (although you can) – just let them know transport options if you’re going at different times.
    • It’s a good idea to contact your guests to find out their travel plans and to inform them of any bedding or towels they need to bring.

     

    Why not come back and join us in the Spring for the Bristol Swing Festival over Easter 2013? full details tba soon...