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.

New Styles dance week: 9th – 14th April 2018

Hello!

Next week as part of a fundraiser, I’ll be facilitating couple of Lindy Hop workshops at Chisenhale Dance Space during the Easter holidays:
Tuesday 10th April: 7 – 8pm taster class (general level)
Saturday 14th April: 3.30 – 5pm workshop (experienced Lindy Hoppers and dancers of other styles).

See you there!!

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Info and booking – http://www.chisenhaledancespace.co.uk/whatson/new-styles/New-styles-placeholder

9 – 14 April 2018,

Chisenhale Dance Space
64 Chisenhale Road
E3 5QZ
Tube: Mile End
Buses: 8, 277, 399, 425, D6

New Styles event is a collaboration with Chisenhale Dance Space and University of East London.

Born an’ Bred

Enjoying the wonderful sunny days in the Endz!!!! Was in #moreselfie mode over the last few days – expressing my die hard teenager self 😂.!!!! Innit!  Musta brought the sun back wiv me from Moz!

 

Fully equipped with headwrap courtesy of a Greg, my new friend from Perth, acquired during our trip to Mozambique, rocking the MASX badge, I wandered as I wondered in my hood.  Retracing some after-school-not-going-straight-home steps. Discovering parts that for some reason, or no reason at all, I never knew about.

Some things change but some things remain the same. That Hackney Spirit.  That relaxed yet ‘on it’ vibe.  That freedom of difference and togetherness. #sankofaswing

So blessed to have been born into this lifespan.  #hackneychickforever

Thanks Mum, Thanks Dad.

Close your eyes, make a wish and blow

On Tuesday 12 March 2013, the Savoy Ballroom will be 87 years young.Savoy Ballroom

I would have loved to have danced there.  All the stories that I have heard, from Norma and Frankie especially.  And when I see the footage, I think…maybe if I cross my fingers, close my eyes and wish real hard, then…

Photo: Jul Effet

Savoy Ballroom Celebration, Lyon, France 2012.
Photo: Jul Effet

Last year, I and the gang at Rhythm Tap N’ Swing put on a little party to celebrate. This is what we got up to in Lyon photos. The party was attended by mostly members from the association – a small but very enthusiastic bunch of dancers.  Let’s hope that there will be more happy feet dancing there this year.

The Savoy Ballroom was … located at 596 Lenox Avenue, between 140th and 141st Streets in Harlem, New York City . It was in operation from March 12, 1926 to July 10, 1958…owned by white entrepreneurs Jay Faggen and a reputed Jewish gangster, Moe Gale…It was managed by African-American real estate business man Charles Buchanon.

…It could hold up to 4,000 people. The interior was painted pink and the walls were mirrored.

Unlike many ballrooms such as the Cotton Club, the Savoy always had a no-discrimination policy. Generally, the clientele was 85% black and 15% white, although sometimes there was an even 50/50 split. Lindy hop legend Frankie Manning noted that patrons were only judged on their dancing skills and not on the color of their skin…All they wanted to know when you came into the Savoy was, do you dance?”. Virtuosic dancers, however, excluded others from the northeast corner of the dance floor, now referred to as the “Cat’s Corner,” although the term was not used at the time.

Taken from Wikipedia

Frankie Manning, Chazz Young, Mickey Davidson, Norma Miller, Angela Andrew

Savoy Celebration – 2006: Frankie Manning, Chazz Young, Mickey Davidson, Norma Miller, Angela Andrew

What they were doing then voice over, Norma Miller

What we are doing now 🙂

It’s funny how history repeats itself, so many parallels on sooo many levels (a bit of an in joke I’m afraid).  So if you fancy shaking a leg in honour of the Home of Happy Feet, or even finding out more what is behind the “in joke” then come along to Jitterbugs on Wednesday 13th March and ask me.

Some links:
Savoy Ballroom on Wikipedia
www.theharlemswingdancesociety.blogspot.co.uk
www.yehoodi.com
Dance Heritage Coalition
Savoy Ballroom Anniversary on Facebook
Savoy Ballroom Project

Savoy lights

Say look-a here Lucky, what’s that place uptown that all the hep cats rave about?

Savoy Boy, Savoy

Yeah, well tell me Jack, what’s this place like, maybe I can come swing some night

P.S. Speaking of countdowns. Have you noticed, there’s another one on this page. Don’t you just love pisceans?! 😉