Twelve Things: January's Swing

This year I'm going to do a new thing each month. In January this was starting swing dancing or the lindyhop. A gaggles of us girls went along to the first class of the new year at the Electric Social in Brixton and there were many others who looked to start off 2014 with a dancing new year's resolution. The atmosphere is so upbeat and the music takes you back to another era which all of these images evoke memories of. There are some great videos here, here and here, and a fab collection of images here. I've always loved dancing but the lindyhop is simple to pick up, and who knows, one day I might be swung over someones shoulder! If you've ever thought of learning a dance, definitely give swing a go!

Images sources 1, 2 & 3

Just Dance

Don't Save Me by HAIM has me dancing like fool! It's so catchy, there's something of Fleetwood Mac and Feist about them and they've just been voted as the BBC's Sound of 2013. I think I'm going to be listening to this an awful lot over the next few weeks...

En Pointe

I haven't danced for about 6 years but I've recently taken in up again. There is something about prancing about that makes you feel so good! On at the moment at the Royal Academy is an exhibition of Degas' fascination with movement of dancers.

Images: 1. Edweard Muybridge from RA 2. Dane Shitagi

Macaroni & Tea

We've been exploring Manchester alot since we moved up. I've already set my sights on doing a ballet and jazz dance class on Mondays (I forgot I even had muscles after this week's class!) Luce and I stumbled across Sugar Junction in the Northern Quarter, a cute little tea shop on Tib Street. We were served a delicious macaroni cheese and I'd definitely like to go back for an afternoon tea.

Bestival!

The past weekend I was at Bestival on the Isle of Wight. Twas the first time I'd been to IOW which was beautiful - I have a slight fascination with small islands! There was so much to do, alongside the music and bands, there were craft stalls, so many places to eat and dance too.
My particular favourites to check out are:
Ellie Goulding - she was amazing!
Mumford & Sons
Hurts
The River People

Saturday was dressing up day - I went as a unicorn - but there were soooo many incredible outfits... robots, bananas, Maaario and Luiiigi, allsorts! I guess this means the end of the summer... roll on Autumn!

Tango Tango

I've just booked tickets to see Tanguera at Sadler's Wells in a few Sundays time. My friend Lauren and I are going to have a day in London to celebrate our 21st birthdays by having Afternoon Tea and then seeing this dance show. I love latino dance and culture, and we've both been dancers in the past, so I'm looking forward to our birthday trip!

Ceilidh

So last night we had my aunt's birthday ceilidh/barn dance. Quite honestly I had such an amazing time! We were all dancing like crazy, parents, aunts and uncles, cousins, usually reluctant brothers included. I have always loved dance from a boogie out in the evening to my ballet classes but this was great to get eveyone involved. We had it in Farnham Castle but it would be perfect in a real barn at a wedding!