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It's that time of year again...
It's that time of year again...
Halloween fast approaches, and with that, so does Jorvik, our annual Halloween weekender!
Welcome to Jorvik, our annual beginner-friendly weekender!
We were thrilled to bring you a whole weekend full of lively dance lessons, amazing socials and fascinating discussions. As always, we brought together loads of incredible local teachers who are here to share with you their skill and passion in swing dance. We also organised two awesome socials to kick back and relax after a long day of lessons.
This year we hosted a focused historical talk with musicologist Catherine Tackley and a community focused discussion group - to help us all engage more with both the heritage and development of swing.
We hope you enjoyed it all!
See you on the 25th - 26th October 2025!
Registration
Registration
If you have purchased a weekender ticket, please register
at 09:30-10:00 in the room you first dance in :
Beginners - Hendrix Hall
Intermediates - James Hall
A member of committee will be at the welcome desk to sign you in! You’ll be given a wristband - please wear them throughout the weekend as you will need them to attend both social dances and the Sunday tasters. If you would like to opt out of photo consent please mention when registering, and we will give you a red wristband. Please refrain from taking photos of people with a red wristband. Please make sure you register on all days that you attend as we need to know who is present in case of emergency.
If you have only purchased a social pass ticket, please register instead at the welcome desk at the social dance venue:
Saturday - Central Methodist
Sunday - Vanbrugh Dining
Our band and teachers
Our band and teachers
Ashley and Sarah
Ashley and Sarah
Ashley and Sarah started here ten years ago, and are now back as our wonderful teachers!
Rob and Tina
Rob and Tina
From Leeds, we have the incredible Rob and Tina!
The Blind Tiger Dance Band
The Blind Tiger Dance Band
Their repertoire has been created in collaboration with swing dancers to keep you dancing all night long - with seventeen members, this is certainly a wow-factor big band!
taster Classes
taster Classes
All our tasters are open level and taught by our fantastic teachers!
First Stops (Pt1)
First Stops (Pt1)
Discover the First swing ensemble dancing routine, which was choreographed by the icon, Frankie Manning, in the 1930s. It involves both solo and partnered sections and emphasises stops in the music.
First Stops (Pt2)
First Stops (Pt2)
Join a complementary taster looking at a different section of the First Stops routine. Each session is self contained so feel free to mix and match.
Beginner's Balboa
Beginner's Balboa
Try the swing dance of Balboa from Southern California which evolved simultaneously to Lindy hop but on the other coast. It’s developed under the restrictions of crowded ballrooms resulting in an elegant close-hold dance.
Solo Charleston
Solo Charleston
Come along to our taster where we explore solo Charleston and how to play with it in your social dancing!
History and Culture
History and Culture
Check out our Historical Talk, happening at 14:30 on Sunday, led by Professor Catherine Tackley!
We are also running our discussion group at 13:30 on Saturday in Hendrix Hall- we encourage everyone to come and discuss the longevity of swing, and how we can keep the community thriving. No matter your level of experience, we want to create open dialogue to encourage everyone to think about how we can better engage people in the community. Whilst we encourage everyone to speak, there is no pressure, and even if you just want to come to listen to everyone’s perspectives on building inter-community links, we welcome all perspectives.
Check out the infopack for information on how to find rooms and quiet rooms, food and drink nearby, and lots more!
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