Swing Night

Hosted by
The Clod Ensemble
Produced by
Fuel
Dates
20 Jun 2012

Project History

Fuel presents Swing Night

Swing Night was a one-off swinging extravaganza at the Grand Hall at BAC, hosted by the one and only Tammy Why Not, complete with Gordon Campbell’s 18-piece Big Band and troupe of specially trained swing dancers.

The event involved over 400 participants across London. In the weeks running up to the event school children and senior citizens participated in swing dancing classes taught by Simona Scotto in schools and day centres in Islington and Battersea.

Transport was provided for senior citizens and primary school children to make their way to BAC and enjoy a magical evening of champagne, dancing and great music.

This intergenerational project celebrated the role of music and dance in London during WW2.

Partners: The Claremont Centre, The Peel Centre, Sotheby Mews Day Centre, Thornhill Primary School, Duncome Primary School, St John’s Primary School, High View Primary School, Katherine Lowe Settlement and Battersea Arts Centre

Supported by Home Front Recall part of National Lottery Big Fund, BAC, the Crafts Council and the Claremont Project.

#SwingNight

""The band are just wonderful – it has been a very special evening for us, so much attention to detail and it is just wonderful to see all of you (cloakroom staff, actor’s waiters) dressed up in the clothes we wore! –Thank you so much for taking the time to organise this event, you all look wonderful!" "

Day Centre Member

"“Being elderly I have to go home early – but I want to stay and carry on dancing – we’ve all got a spring in our step now, look at us! What a wonderful evening – most enjoyable!” "

Day Centre Member

""Brilliant!" "We got to talk to people we didn’t know and my best bit was getting to show our dance." "It was very exciting and really, really fun. I was a bit nervous but it turned out to be brilliant!" "I learnt interesting dances of the 1940s, I also leaned to be more confident dancing in front of people." "

Children's comments from Thornhill Primary School