For our very first Swing City Brighton Weekend we're thrilled to be bringing two inspiring and exciting swing dancers to Brighton: Katie Cobalt and Mike Sonder!
Katie and Mike will teach two Lindy Hop workshops and two Air Steps workshops over the Saturday and Sunday, catering to various levels of experience. Check the schedule below for workshop descriptions and requirements. IMPORTANT: please read carefully the information on how to sign up to both types of workshop.
Plus there'll be a Saturday party night with our fabulous band The Joss Peach Swingin' Six who went down a storm at our sold-out Spiegeltent event in May! Watch out for a performance from Katie and Mike during the evening.
Not seen Katie and Mike dance yet? Click here to check out their performance at ILHC last year that won them 1st place in the All Star Classic category!
We'll be adding further resources on our Facebook event page here so bookmark the page even if you're not a Facebook user.
We hope you can join us on this special weekend to mark Swing City's third anniversary!
Scroll down for info on the workshops, how to book, teacher profiles, plus the T&Cs.
SCHEDULE
SATURDAY 26TH OCTOBER
11:00 - 13:00 Lindy Hop - All Levels
"Jams, Creativity, and Developing Your Own Style"
Katie and Mike love teaching mixed level workshops on this theme. There'll be something for all levels of dancers in this session, from beginner to experienced!
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
You've been attending Beginner/Next Steps/Improver classes and can social dance to an entire song with a mix of footwork patterns.
14:30 - 16:30 Air Steps – Fundamentals
Suitable for newbies and for experienced folks who want to train their fundamentals. You will NOT go upside down in this class. Check below for requirements to sign up.
Planned tricks (we may not get to all of these):
- Throwout with optional variations for the adventurous
- The back-drop with optional basketball catch
- If there is time, the proto-lotus
SUNDAY 27TH OCTOBER
11:00 - 13:00 Lindy Hop - Higher Level
This workshop is geared to more experienced dancers looking to hone their technique, styling and pizazz!
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
You’ve been attending regular Lindy Hop classes and socials for at least two years. You can swing out comfortably at 160bpm and you can lead/follow basic Charleston transitions with ease.
As a more experienced dancer, you've already begun to develop your curiosity and knowledge of the Black American history and culture of Lindy Hop and actively respect the roots of the dance.
14:30-16:30 Air Steps – Higher Level
Katie and Mike will choose some air steps to teach to suit the group. They may also give options and let the group choose. You will go upside down in this class.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
Everyone: plank hold for 30 seconds, 30 squats
Fliers: 10 tuck jumps, comfortable with being upside down
Bases: 10 push ups, 30-second wide-leg squat hold
REGISTRATION AND TICKETS
Participants can sign up to as many workshops as they like. Each workshop is at the early bird price of £20 until Sunday 1st September when the price will go up to £25 per workshop. Please read carefully the information below on how to sign up to each type of workshop.
If you sign up to 1, 2 or 3 workshops, the party is £10 (early bird) or £12 (standard). Remember to add your party ticket(s) to your basket before checking out!
BONUS! If you sign up to all 4 workshops you get FREE ENTRY to the Saturday party! If you choose this ticket type, you don't need to add the party ticket to your basket.
Party-only tickets will be available nearer the time.
SIGNING UP FOR LINDY HOP
You don’t need a partner to sign up for the Lindy Hop classes. However, signing up as a lead-follow pair will skip any waitlist as this doesn't affect the role ratio. Waitlists will activate automatically once a certain ratio between roles is reached. If so, please sign up to the waitlist and you'll be notified when further places become available.
SIGNING UP FOR AIR STEPS
You must sign up with at least one partner of the other role (1 base + 1 flyer). Other than that, you can sign up in whatever group you'd like. For example, some people might want to come as a trio with one base and two flyers, or as a group of four who like working together. There will be no rotation in class so you will remain with your partner / small group for the duration. Each person must register separately.
MEET THE TEACHERS!
ABOUT KATIE COBALT
Katie Cobalt tried many different dance styles before falling in love with Swing. The freedom of improvisation, the satisfaction of rhythm and the deep historical and cultural roots of the dance made her want to learn more.
She is now known for her classroom energy, musicality, and infectious enthusiasm for all things Jazz. When it comes to dance, she deeply values self expression and fully committing to the idea. As a teacher, she focuses on individually helping her students on their own dance journeys and finds so much joy in seeing them grow.
Katie holds multiple first place titles at, International Lindy Hop Championships, Balkan Lindy Hop Championships and Savoy Cup. When not throwing down in international competitions she is teaching all over the world in more than 20 countries sharing what she has learned. When not on the dance floor you might find her in a hip hop class or on the stage at her local drag bar.
ABOUT MIKE SONDER
As an instructor, Mike strives to create a learning environment that is fun, challenging, and inclusive. The goal is for each individual student to find their next step forward and enjoy that process of growth. Mike loves seeing students’ eyes light up when they understand a concept or feel a movement work naturally in their body for the first time.
Mike has taught dance in 21 countries and counting. He currently teaches Lindy Hop, Air Steps, Solo Jazz, and many different Blues styles. Mike has not only placed in and won respected competitions across multiple genres but also thrown down hard in unofficial late night dance-offs.
Mike lives and breathes dance. He is constantly honing his skills and developing new ideas. If you run into him at a grocery store, an airport, a museum, or a mountain top, you’ll probably catch him dancing.
T&Cs
CANCELLATION
Tickets are non-refundable but can be transferred to another dancer of the same role and of a suitable experience level. You must notify us at swingcitybrighton@gmail.com if you wish to transfer your ticket.
PHOTOGRAPHY
Please be aware that we will be taking photos and video over the weekend. We may use them in publications, including for example: flyers, posters, email newsletters, website, social media.
If you would rather not feature in photos or videos, please inform us before the start of the weekend.
By participating in our event without notifying us in writing that you would not like to be photographed, you consent to your likeness being used without compensation in any and all media as described above.
WAIVER
Dancing is a physical activity, and you attend Swing City events at your own risk. Any injury or loss is your own responsibility. The organisers, venue and teachers cannot be held responsible in any circumstance. Please get in touch if you have any concerns and/or discuss any injury with the teachers before the workshop starts.