Calling All Lindy Hoppers!!!! Share your voice in the development of our scene.
The Swing Debates©: A safe space where open discussions regarding issues concerning the Global Lindy Hop community take place. An event created and facilitated by Angela Andrew.
“Let’s talk about…”
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A BIT OF HISTORY
I created The Swing Debates (2015) and Conversations By The Oak Tree (2017) in response to the multitude of Facebook et al. ‘conversations’ I saw, was forced to see, obliged to listen to, attempted to implicate me in.
It was clear people wanted to share their thoughts and opinions about issues that really concerned them in the scene. What also dawned on me was the lack of understanding, much less human compassion displayed, as these word battles ensued from safe distances behind computer screens with no view to a peaceful resolution. Taking note that ‘resolution’ does not mean ‘agreement’. A resolution, in this case, indicates understanding.
As a trained Youth and Community Worker, I have extensive experience in round table discussions to bring about positive change. So…I decided to share that part of me with the Lindy Hop scene, a community I love so much.
The sessions have been recorded in some form or other and will be available at some point or other! In the meantime, you can get an idea of the topics via the Instagram hashtags #conversationsbytheoaktree and #swingdebates and the list below.
The format is one hour, everyone in a circle (or something like) and dancing afterwards (doing what we do best)
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PAST EVENTS
2021
Sunday 15 August 2021 – Let’s talk about….What we’re talking about.
2020
Sunday 9th February 2020 – Let’s talk about – The Legacy of Lindy Hop, the shape of things to come
2019
Sunday 14th April 2019 – Let’s talk about… Lindy Hop – Consumers, Collaborators, Co-Creators
2018
Thursday 2nd August 2018 – “Slap some respect on that.”
Thursday 26th July 2018 – “Pop Stars, Deities and Royalty”
Saturday 31st March 2018 – “Let’s talk about…The London Lindy Hop Scene. Then, Now and To Come.”
2017
Thursday 3rd August 2017 – “Safe Spaces?”
Thursday 27 July 2017 – “The Business of Lindy Hop”
2015
Thursday 28th May 2015 – “Let’s talk about…World Lindy Hop Day”
FIRST SWING DEBATES, MAY 2015
In May 2015 following the World Lindy Hop Day event debacle, I decided to host the 1st Edition of The Swing Debates. Ryan Francois and Sing Lim (all the way from Singapore!!!) were present, both of whom were key organisers in the WLHD event that should have taken place that weekend. I was extremely grateful to them for attending since the public breakdown of the event had just taken place, and I was aware of the emotional tensions that affected all parties. Silvia Palazzolo (Italy) was not present.
Statement by The Frankie Manning Foundation:
https://www.frankiemanningfoundation.org/statement-by-the-frankie-manning-foundation-concerning-world-lindy-hop-day-2015/
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