Performance – Saturday 18th May 2024

Hey there. It’s been a while. A very long while. Not that I haven’t had anything to say. Quite the opposite actually.

So, yeah. This is happening.

https://www.siobhandavies.com/events/mearchivingme/

So yeah, last year in January, I applied for the Artist Archive at Siobhan Davies Studios. Not thinking that I would ever get it. And of course as these stories go, I did.
So here we are with just a few weeks to go. Propa full on.

Was meant to have been at the end of ’23, but that was never going to happen as I had way too much stuff to sort through. So now I’m doing the do in May. Saturday 18th May from…well…yeah evening time.

What’s it all about?

It’s all about me. Lil’ ole me. Moi. Io. Jag. Mwé.

“mearchivingme is an anthology of Angela’s works and career. Sometimes ordered. Sometimes not. But there. A collection of objects, images, costumes creating a landscape to explore.”

That part.

Hope you can make it. 🙂 You can get your tickets here

p.s. US. FR. IT. SWE. DM.

p.p.s. AI says I should include use more descriptive language to enhance to post to attract more readers. Maybe next time.

The Swing Debates: 5th Edition

The Swing Debates©:

A safe space for open discussions concerning issues regarding the Global Lindy Hop community.

Sunday 15 August 2021, 1.15 – 2.15pm

at South London Swing Fest, Balham, South London

Let’s talk about….What we’re talking about.

Following the murder of George Floyd in May 2020, the global Lindy Hop community was catapulted into a season of acute introspection. The responses displayed the full palette of humanness: ‘I told you so’s, shame, ‘I’m part of the solution’s, denial, rebuttal, self-flagellation to righteousness and self-righteousness.    A year and a half of reflecting on choices and decisions made. 

Now we’re back.

The Lindy Hop community recognises that the Black Lindy Hop originators lived a life of mandated segregation. It is interesting to note, however, that during that particular time frame, the British revelled in the abundant riches of the Empire and Swedish scientific thought informed school curricular that Africanus niger was biologically inferior to other human groups.

Happy Anniversary to me!!!

Happy 30th Anniversary to me!!!

Yes folks, today marks the 30th anniversary of my Lindy Hop journey.

That momentous day was Wednesday 24th July 1991. That was the day when I opened the door to the magic wardrobe – and never came back out.

It’s been a ride.

Never in a million years did that hyped young woman believe that by stepping across the threshold of the Notre Dame Hall in Leicester Square into the new location of Jitterbugs, that her life would be changed forever. Never did she imagine that her skills from the telecoms field and community and music would merge to create a cacophony of beautiful yet overwhelming experiences. Let alone sharing moments with the silver screen stars of days gone by, that her soul absorbed through witnessing their art in motion at home and at the cinema. Never did she imagine that she would one day make eggs for her idols or wash their dishes.

The Swing Debates, York, 9th February 2020,

The Swing Debates©:
A safe space for open discussions concerning issues
regarding the Global Lindy Hop community.

Sunday 9th February 2020, 2.45 – 3.45pm

at Whip-Ma-Whop-Ma-Hop Swing Dance Festival, York University

Let’s talk about….The Legacy of Lindy Hop: the shape of things to come

The Savoy Ballroom in Harlem, New York is the model which the majority of lindy hoppers worldwide celebrate. Whilst being an incubator for vernacular jazz art forms, it was also a community centre at the heart of a vibrant and developing neighbourhood. A diverse set of people frequented the Savoy as it was a welcoming space for everyone. Yet, everyone knew their place. There were unspoken rules which were adhered to, on and off the dance floor e.g. Cats Corner or Patron seating. Much of these rules were explicit. However, there were also implicit ones which were governed by the ‘real’ world in which the Savoy Ballroom patrons lived. 

Ms Norma Adele Miller, 1919 – 2019

Dear friends,
Today, Friday 14th June 2019, marks 40 days since Norma’s spirit transcended.
This is a global invitation to Norma Miller’s friends, dance family, fans, community and admirers, for a meeting of hearts to accompany Norma on her journey towards her next mission.

It is with a sense of deep gratitude and undying love that I propose we take time out during the day to reflect on the immense contributions Ms Norma Miller made to the arts and entertainment industries.  And, not least of all to the individuals with whom she shared her fabulous fresh personality during her very, very full lifetime.

A mother’s love is never-ending. #QueenofSwingforever

The Swing Debates: 3rd Edition (Hamburg,Germany)

The Swing Debates©:
A safe space for open discussions concerning issues
regarding the Global Lindy Hop community.

Let’s talk about… Lindy Hop – Consumers, Collaborators, Co-Creators

Sunday 14th April 2019, 3.30 – 4.30pm
(supported by New Swing Generation & SwingWerkstatt)

Let’s talk about… Lindy Hop – Consumers, Collaborators, Co-Creators

The Lindy Hop is a phenomenon enjoyed by a global community.

When the dance was created and developed, it was during a time of great social upheaval in the United States of America. It was a reflection of a time of decadence for some and extreme poverty for others, in an atmosphere of racial segregation and violence. Despite, or perhaps in response to this, the Lindy Hop flourished in local communities, providing a healthy means of self-expression for all who took part.

Fast forward several decades later, the dance is now shared via one or more of following mediums: festivals, parties, competitions, documentaries, films, YouTube channels etc., which is in contrast to its localised, fairly segregated beginnings.

One of my best creations

Hey there,
haven’t posted in a while.  Not that I haven’t been busy mind you. Lots of things in the movin’ and a groovin’ in the kitchen, if you get my drift.
One the things I’ve been up to is harvesting the info on my dance website preparing for a new website. More work than you would imagine. You got to be very organised (of which I am), just wasn’t counting on being focussed as well. HAHAHAHAHA 😀

Here’s something I did earlier…almost two years to be exact. One of my best creations.  Taken from https://www.cookiesjam.com/contact

Enjoy!

#dontaskforAngela

I was going to fb this, but I think my thoughts may reach a more thoughtful audience here.

So…

Yesterday, I received what I perceived to be a threat from a person who in my eyes is: a colleague not a peer, in the artistic sense; a junior more, so in earth years than in lindy years, but still nonetheless junior in both cases; but also an employer, whom I mentored and heavily supported as a teenager.

Blurred lines huh?!

What to do?

Bank Holiday Fun!

Hey everyone!  Been a while since I’ve blogged.  Been busy!  Travelling.  Teaching.  Speaking.  Yes, that’s a new one, giving talks.  How bleedin’ cool is that then 🙂  I’ll be posting about my experiences etc. as the info settles in my head.  My mind has been buzzing with all the new things I’ve seen and heard.  Good stuff.  Really good stuff so come back soon for a bit of a read.

This is just a quick post to let you know that I’m still doing stuff and as a perfect segue – here are a couple of links.  Click on the pictures to take you to the facebook events, there you’ll find all the info.  Or you can email iheartcookiesjam@gmail.com.

 

All artwork by Silvia Cherneva.

Leaving Herräng with contemplative face on.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

oooh…I forgot to mention…

I’ve started classes at Chats Palace Arts Centre…Yes!  The Original Hackney Hipster is BACK.

Come join jam every Thursday at Chats Palace.