What's on Auckland, NZ

Got a question? Visiting us in Auckland? Need a ride to a gig?

Post it to our facebook group Swing Dancing in Auckland

Here's the Google Calendar for Auckland's swing dancing events and classes:

Weekly swing dance gig guide for Auckland, New Zealand. Another way to see 'What's on for Auckland'

you can even add to your own google calendar by clicking on that "+" (above this text, on the right)

Got a question? Visiting us in Auckland? Need a ride to a gig? Post it to our facebook group Swing Dancing in Auckland

Classes - weekly vintage swing dancing classes in Auckland

Classes for brand new dancers, as well as for those with some experience at 7 venues each week

For Auckland classes as well as Auckland social dancing see the google calendar, https://calendar.google.com/calendar/embed?mode=AGENDA&src=gigsakl@gmail.com
For the swing school listings around NZ, see NZ Listings, https://goo.gl/ZQU7Ch
Key: L1 = Level 1 for new and beginner plus dancers. L2 = Level 2 for intermediate dancers.

Mondays

☑️ Glenfield - Balboa - L1, L2, Bridget & Matt B | Gin Mill Swing - Glenfield | videos | example fb event

☑️ Mt Eden - Lindy Hop - L1, L2, Ana & Jesse | Swing Out Central - Mt Eden | videos | example fb event

Tuesdays

☑️ Grey Lynn - Lindy Hop - L1, L2, Tia & Hamish | Swing Out Central - Grey Lynn | videos | example fb event

Wednesdays

☑️ Kingsland (was Parnell) - Lindy Hop - L1, L2, Nathalie & Richard | Swing Out Central - Kingsland | videos | example fb event

Thursdays

☑️ Birkenhead - Lindy Hop - L1, L2 - Bernie & Gianni Gin Mill Swing - Birkenhead | videos | example fb event

☑️ Freemans Bay - Lindy Hop - L1, L2, Tania, Imogen, David and occasional special classes in the second hall | Swing Out Central - Freeman's Bay | videos | example fb event

Fridays

☑️ Newton - Blues Dancing with Black Sand Blues @ Auckland Old Folks Association 8 Gundry Street, example fb event, for Blues Dancing with Janet Schofield & Matt Weir

Saturdays

☑️ TAPAC Western Springs (near Zoo) - Saturday Short Course Special - Solo Jazz @TAPAC, Akriti | Jazz, Dancing with Akriti | videos | example fb event

The Swing Schools in Auckland

📣 Swing Out Central fb page, website, and, Gin Mill Swing fb page, website | party video | performance video

Both are part of the same swing dance school, with 7 venues around Auckland. Gin Mill Swing is the brand for Auckland's North Shore over the Auckland Harbour Bridge. Class times vary, check venue web pages and faceook pages for each venue (see above against each day of the week)
Their 6-week block of classes run and you can join in at any time

📣 Jazz, Dancing with Akriti | fb page | venue location map

Venue is Viva Dance Studios, 10 Newton Rd, Auckland. This is a short 50m walk down the hill from corner of Ponsonby Rd & Karangahake Rd. Bus stops on K'Rd, Ponsonby Road and Great North road for heaps of bus routes. Free on-street parking is all around
Run by Akriti Rana. Class is for 1 hour, 'drop in' so you can go at any time
Akriti also runs monthly workshops - see the google calendar

📣 Black Sand Blues | fb page | venue location map | the Hall venue

Venue has changed to Auckland Old Folks Association 8 Gundry Street, Newton with parking on nearby streets (was previously Gribblehirst Community Hub, 5 Cabbage Tree Swamp Dr, Sandringham, Auckland 1351, which was a short walk from St Luke's Shopping Centre, with it's own free car parking in the Park. Bus stops are on Sandringham Road, St Lukes Road (and short walk)
Run by Matt Weir and Janet Schofield. Class is 1 hour, followed by heading to the very close-by 'The Dogs Bollix' for dancing to live Blues music

Regular social dances - vintage swing dancing gigs in Auckland

For all social dancing (or classes) see our google calendar (shown above), or the link is https://calendar.google.com/calendar/embed?mode=AGENDA&src=gigsakl@gmail.com

on Fortnightly or 3 weekly

The Occidental Pub, 6 Vulcan Lane, downtown Auckland city. Belgian Beer Pub. Licensed bar & restaurant
A favourite gig for Balboa and Solo jazz dancers with more & more songs aimed at Lindy Hoppers
200m walk up from Britomart transport hub for trains & buses. Paid parking nearby on-street or parking garages

☑️ Swing Dance @ Vodka Room - Wednesdays every 3 weeks, Social dance evening, upstairs at the Vodka Room, 5 Rose Road, Ponsonby, inner West Auckland, DJ'd swing dance, venue has wooden dance floor, aircon, 8pm-11pm, $5 | example fb event | map | where to park and not park (avoid being towed) | photo, photo, photo |

Good social dancing, welcoming to all levels, visitors. A community event, supported by the swing schools
Venue has licensed bar, serves food

☑️ Social dancing at Big Ticket - Saturdays, every 2 or 3 weeks, The Lula Inn (used to be called The Crew Club), 149 Quay St in the Viaduct Harbour on Auckland's waterfront, live music, starts either 8pm or 10pm for a 2 hour set, free | band fb page | venue fb page | map | google street view | video band at the venue | example fb event

Big Ticket is a Auckland Based band that plays contemporary songs in a swing style, or put it another way, a vintage twist on modern songs. Music in the style of Post Modern Jukebox and The Commitments, upbeat pop songs done in a vintage style, some swing, some rnb
Most of the music you can swing dance to, whether Lindy Hop or Balboa
Lovely dance floor, and lots of people (non dancers) hit this venue for a drink (licensed bar & restaurant) & a boogie
venue is 149 Quay St at the start of the Viaduct Harbour, beside the Maritime Museum and the big KZ1 sailing boat on display. The venue is a cocktail & beer bar an is happy to provide water free to dancers

on Monthly

25-30 Lake Road, Devonport, lovely floor for dancing. It is North Shore United club house, also known as Dacre Park, or Allen Hill Stadium soccer rooms. Licensed bar, coffee, tea and snacks available
Exact location, as it's a bit hard to find: The venue's driveway is between a small car lot (Pronto Cars and Rock Star Cars) and an old fire station, drive down a long driveway, then through some security gates into the venue's car parking area. The venue's signage is quite hard to see from Lake Road, so if you reach the roundabout to Devonport you've gone too far
Lots of free parking in the soccer club's car park. Bus stop is 150m away (cnr Allenby Rd & Lake Rd) and the Devonport Ferry terminal is 1.7kms (22 mins walk) which gets you to the city Ferry Building (near Britomart) in 12 mins (runs every 30 mins, see Fullers ferry schedule)
Dates: 29 Mar, 26 Apr, 31 May, 28 Jun, 26 Jul, 30 Aug, 27 Sep, 25 Oct, 29 Nov, 27 Dec 2019

6 weekly

Ponsonby Cruising Club, 141-151 Westhaven Drive. This is in Westhaven Marina, just under the Auckland Harbour Bridge. Licensed bar, fantastic views of the harbour and marina .
Popular night, well-supported by swing dancers. Dance floor is quite sticky, so you'll see talc is used to speed up the floor - the venue has no issue with this
Free parking in the venue's car park, free on-street nearby, paid/free car parks for the Marina nearby
Bus access isn't so good, so perhaps Uber or get a lift as it's 1.3km to the nearest bus stop up at Jervois Rd/Shelley Rd or 2km walk to the buses on Fanshawe St by Victoria Park
This is a lovely place to meet other dancers, check out some dancing or just chill out and listen to the big band. All welcome along with all the swing schools for some fun dancing, friendly people
Dates: 24 Mar, 5 May, 16 Jun, 28 Jul, 8 Sep, 20 Oct, 1 Dec

2 monthly

just off K Rd, opposite cnr Beresford St & Pitt St. Go round the corner of Poynton Tce and head down the stairs,
Example fb event: https://www.facebook.com/events/2446156992336507

on Weekly - But... small venues/hard to dance

not attended by dancers as the space is small, small wooden floor but danceable, space for 1 or 2 couples dancing
They play a weekly gig at De Fonteins Belgian beer bar/pub, Tamaki Drive, Mission Bay
Free parking on street, but this area is popular at the weekend

not attended by dancers as the space is small, small wooden floor but danceable, space for 1 couple dancing
They play a weekly gig at The Caretaker Downstairs, 40 Customs Street East, Auckland CBD
Very talented musicians and they have the violin too which makes for the classic gypsy jazz sound. The light is low and there isn’t much space, and quite busy with non dancers - very speakeasy. Suitable only for a small group, Balboa dancers, and best to grab a table right by the band to have slightly more space to dance
Example fb event: www.facebook.com/events/1813392478957461
In the past they've had a flamenco, Latin or contemporary jazz feel to their music, and some long medley tracks that morph into swing in parts. Example: www.youtube.com/channel/UCdUt3uwPEcHdeDrWeEj5bZw

Other jazz gigs around Auckland

Check out the Auckland Jazz and Blues Club , Creative Jazz Club and EventFinda for other live jazz gigs around Auckland city

Other bands around Auckland we dance to. Tend to have one-off gigs

Bands

The Mumbo Jumbos - by swing dancers, for swing dancers
The Lindy Tops - jazz tunes with their lead singer, Stephie Harmsworth who is a swing dancer too | fb page | map | band photo | video, video, video
The Alibis - live jump blues band | listen
Prohibition Band - line up can be either Jazz Swingtet or Ensemble (12 piece) or Big Band (18 piece) | fb page
Liam Neeson Tribute Jazz Band - A jazz small group dedicated to playing good charts | fb page
Society Jazzmen - live new orleans-style jazz | 4pm-7pm, free| fb page | map | photo | video | They play a weekly gig at De Fonteins beer pub, Tamaki Drive, Mission Bay. Belgian Beer Bar, small wooden floor but danceable, space for 1 or 2 couples dancing. Dancers rarely get along to it, just so's you know... Free parking on street, but this area is popular at the weekend
The Gramophone Band - swing/blues or early rock'n'roll interpretations. website | fb page

Other bands around NZ to watch out for, either for dance or listening or buying their CDs

The Wellington City Shake-'em-on Downers - swinging live band who once a year come up to Auckland from Wellington | fb page | video
The Dancing And Drinking Society - swinging live band from Wellington, sometimes they tour and have played in Hamilton | fb page
Devilish Mary and the Holy Rollers - swinging and bluesing live band from Christchurch, who tour occassionally | fb page

Venues

Shanghai Lils - 335 Karangahape Rd, Central Auckland. Live jazz with Jessie Le Marie (vocals) and Billy Farnell (piano). Shanghai Lils has been a favourite venue for swing dancers for Wednesday nights, and at last they've reopened in their new location | 5pm-late, free | venue's fb page | map | google street view. Licensed bar, space for 8+ couples to dance plus solo jazz'ers. Getting there: Excellent bus connections, as all K'Rd buses stop about 80m away. Parking is a bit harder: try K'Rd, the parking paid car park (closes midnight), suburban streets in Grey Ave, off Ponsonby Rd, Newton, or Beresford St (all within 500m walk, 7 mins)
Lula Inn - live Band Big Ticket play Saturdays - a type of Soul, R&B, upbeat that's like 'Post Modern Juke Box'. Can dance swing dancing (Balboa, fast lindy hop/charleston, solo jazz) but it's definitely not swing music | venue is 149 Quay St at the start of the Viaduct Harbour, beside the Maritime Museum and the big KZ1 sailing boat on display |

No longer - Schools and Venues no longer hosting swing dance gigs

Last Sundays with the North Harbour Swing Band - Good new/bad news: Sad news (as of 13 April 2017) this gig is no longer on. Good news it's moved date and venue to now be First Sundays at Pt Chev RSA, see above
Queen's Cafe Bistro, 34 Queens St in the Queens Arcade, downtown Auckland city, venue photo | Had been the Lindy Tops playing fortnightly in late 2016-early 2017 |200m walk up from Britomart transport hub for trains & buses. Paid parking nearby on-street or parking garages | As you enter the arcade from Queens street, take first door on the right, and go up 1 flight of stairs | Licensed bar & restaurant - please support the venue by buying drinks or food & please be considerate of restaurant diners and staff
TriBeCa restaurant - had been on Wednesdays, weekly DJ'd dance in the summer months Dec 2016-Feb 2017 | map | photo | video | TriBeCa restaurant, 8 George St, Parnell, in the outdoor courtyard bar area at the rear of the restaurant. This is right next door to the Swing Out Central - Parnell venue at Jubilee Hall and was also the after-class dance. Free parking in the massive car park at the rear, bus stops directly outside on Parnell Rd
Surrey Blues Sessions - was 2nd Sundays monthly (usually), DJ'd/playlists, free | 6pm-9pm | The Surrey Pub & Hotel - had been the location for the Surrey Blues Sessions, which was held 2nd Sundays monthly until mid 2017, 465 Great North Road | map . Licensed bar & restaurant. A lovely pub roast or pizza (veggie options, too) followed by some sweet blues dancing. Getting there: Free parking on-street nearby and outside. Bus stops within 100m
All-in Swing | ended 27 Dec 2017 | fb page | website | documentary video | venue location map | koha ($5 suggested. Venue was 'Hum studio' in a beautiful old colonial style house next to Grafton Bridge, at 123 Grafton Rd. Many buses stop there, as it's near Auckland's main hospital | Class at 7.15pm, social dancing Blues & Balboa 8.30pm to 10pm, Classes are ELEF (ELEF is everybody leads, everybody follows, also known as switch and ambi, as in ambi-dancestrous)
Balboa & Blues social dancing - was Tuesdays weekly after class, Hum studio in Grafton, 123 Grafton Rd (near the main Auckland hospital), cosy venue, 8.15pm-10pm, $ by donation | fb page | map
Swing Revolution | ended 4 Dec 2017 | fb page | venue location map | Venue was AUT Rec Centre (Auckland University) in central Auckland, 55 Wellesley St. Run by Irene Ireland & Shane Pope. Beginner class 7pm, Intermediate class at 8pm

If you're planning ahead, see the google calendar at top of this page

^{Add our Google Calendar:}

^{1. Tap the "+Google Calendar" above, or}

^{2. paste gigsakl@gmail.com into your desktop mode (or actual desktop PC) google calendar in "add a friends calendar"}

Image credit Auckland city at night - by Michelle Redward (nee Stoupe) - it's the profile pic on our fb group Swing Dancing in Auckland

Got a question? Visiting us in Auckland? Need a ride to a gig? Post it to our facebook group Swing Dancing in Auckland

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