When do we stop saying Happy New Year? Well.. not tonight Josephine, HAPPY BLOODY NEW YEAR friends! Coming to you tonight from a demolished house, living on frozen dinners (I prepared earlier!), Our laundry is our kitchen sink, my studio is the kitchen (of sorts) with toaster, kettle and microwave, our bedroom squeezes all the kids in if they stay and of course we still have the back deck to eat and the mancave if we want to watch anything.. It’s not bad! Short Term pain for long term gain right? Ray is doing a remarkable job.. his body is screaming I HATE YOU! but he pushes on.. below is a picture of our little house gutted right now but hopefully by the time the Sydney Swing Katz descend upon our tiny home we will have a beautiful kitchen and lounge room! (The bathroom will be the last thing!)
In tonights newsletter I thought I would slam you with all the things I have on our calendar so you can mark them on your (if you want!) It’s not comprehensive as new events come up all the time but it’s what I have listed in ours today.
For the calendar..
January 2026
Saturday 10 Jan – The Byron Speakeasy (Emma Pask Performance): Link: https://www.byroncentre.com.au/theatre-events/the-byron-speakeasy-presents-emma-pask
Friday 23- Monday 26 January – Adelaide CBD Adelaide Lindy Exchange: There are 14 of us Swing On In GC & Northern Rivers peeps heading down to this, gonna be a hoot!
Link: https://events.humanitix.com/the-adelaide-lindy-exchange-2026
Wednesday 28th & Thursday 29th January – Swing On In Dance Classes Start:
– Yep, thats us.. My heels and hair made me look taller than Ray!
Wednesdays from January 28, 6:30 PM, Mermaid Beach Bowls Club, Gold Coast, QLD ($20/person);
Thursdays from January 29, 6:45 PM, Mullumbimby Ex Services Club, Mullumbimby, NSW ($20/person).
– Yep, thats Ray’s never one to drop of glass of good whiskey!
February 2026
Sunday 1st February 2026 – Swing Sesh – A new bi- monthly swing social by our friends in the north, Swing Patrol Brisbane – First one is on 1/2/26 and then bi monthly after that – all details here: https://swingpatrol.com/brisbane/social/sunday-swing-sesh/
Saturday 14 February – Evans Head NSW – JB and the Blues Breakers: https://www.facebook.com/share/1CajK3Nbm6/
Saturday 14 February – Valentine’s Day Dance with Desi and the Stingrays plus The Well Swung Daddys: 6:00 PM, South Tweed Sports Club, Tweed Heads, NSW. Link: https://events.humanitix.com/it-s-love-baby-valentine-s-dance
March 2026
Friday 13th – Byron Bay Lindy Exchange EARLY BIRD TICKET RELEASE: (event itself October 16-18), Byron Bay, NSW. Link: https://byronbaylindyexchange.com.au/ https://www.facebook.com/events/4168328826756257
Sunday 15th March – It’s back by popular demand! Swing On In’s WWII BLITZ Party @ Mo’s Desert Club House – Further details to come but this madcap, outrageously good time celebrating the good humour of resilience of the Brits whilst getting into the theme of things and dancing to great tunes of the era! – MORE DETAILS TO COME… All I can say is… SPAM!
April 2026
Saturday 10th & Sunday 11th April – Sydney Swing Katz Dance Workshops with Swing On In: (two days workshops plus social dance), Gold Coast, QLD. All workshop content and ticket links now up on line but I have listed below also for you: Link: https://www.facebook.com/events/1338085407556063
Tickets: https://events.humanitix.com/sydney-swing-katz-full-weekend-pass-4-workshops-and-includes-sat-night-social/tickets
May 2026
May 14-17, – Blues on Broadbeach: Broadbeach, Gold Coast, QLD. Link: https://bluesonbroadbeach.com/
May 22-24, Brisbane Swing Thing: May 22-24, Brisbane, QLD. WEBSITE HERE
May 26 World Lindy Hop Day: (global celebration). Link: https://www.frankiemanningfoundation.org/frankie-month
June 2026
2017 CRO – It was a VIBE!
June 3-7, Cooly Rocks On: Coolangatta, Gold Coast, QLD. Link: https://www.coolyrockson.com/
July-August 2026
July 31-August 2, Greazefest Kustom Kulture Festival: Redland Showgrounds, Cleveland (near Brisbane), QLD. Link: https://www.greazefest.com/
August 20-23, Cairns, QLD – Cairns Swing Festival: Link: https://www.facebook.com/events/cairns-qld-australia-queensland-4870/cairns-swing-dance-festival-2026/1247287127436136/
September 2026
Sydney Lindy Exchange – Date TBA (Usually first week – 406 September 2026) https://www.sydneylindyexchange.com/
October 2026
16-18 October – 3 Days/Nights – Byron Bay Lindy Exchange Byron Bay, NSW. Link: https://byronbaylindyexchange.com.au/
https://www.facebook.com/events/4168328826756257
October 23-25, Chromefest: Memorial Park, The Entrance, NSW. Link: https://www.facebook.com/ChromeFest/
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THE SWING KATZ ARE COMING: All the details and links here:
– Yes thats Justin from the Sydney Swing Katz in a Vintage Bra – more to that story later!
4 Amazing Workshops over 2 days with 4 of the infamous SYDNEY SWING KATZ dancers.
Who are the SWING KATZ: https://sydneyswingkatz.com.au/about/
The Sydney Swing Katz are one of Australia’s premiere swing dancing performance troupes. Their spectacular and extravagant floorshows replicate the dance styles of the 20s, 30s, 40s and 50s – Charleston, Swing, Lindy Hop, Boogie Woogie and Rock n Roll.
Check out some of their action here:
https://youtu.be/U5gKVlc9hvE?si=_L7brx8C_yvNxrcF
WORKSHOPS:
Sydney Swing Katz Workshops: Elevate Your Swing Dancing!
Join us for an exciting weekend of swing dancing workshops with the Sydney Swing Katz, Australia’s premier vintage dance troupe founded in 2000 by director Justin Langley. Renowned for their high-energy performances in Lindy Hop, Charleston, Jive, Rock’n’Roll, and Boogie Woogie, the Katz have dazzled audiences worldwide alongside artists like The Beach Boys and James Morrison. As international teachers, performers, and competitors—including strong showings at the Boogie Woogie World Championships—these world-class instructors will share their expertise to take your dancing to new heights.
Saturday, April 11th: Workshop 1 (10:00 AM – 12:00 PM) – Lindy Hop Sydney Swing Katz Style:
Dive into the signature Lindy Hop style of the Sydney Swing Katz, perfected through years of global performances and competitions. You’ll learn their favorite showstopper moves, including the fast footwork techniques they’re famous for. By the end, you’ll have a mini choreographed routine ready to shine. Ideal for intermediate to advanced dancers ready to challenge and elevate their Lindy Hop.
TICKETS: https://events.humanitix.com/lindy-hop-sydney-swing-katz…
Saturday, April 11th: Workshop 2 (1:00 PM – 3:00 PM) – Tricks, Dips, and Slides:
You don’t rise to Australia’s top dance troupe, touring the world to teach and perform without an arsenal of audience-wowing tricks, dips, and slides. After focusing on aerials last visit, we’re going low this time with grounded moves like intentional drops and stylish slides. These are perfect social floor showstoppers (space and partner permitting), boosting musicality for beginnings, endings, or troupe routines. Suited to anyone with partner dancing experience.
TICKETS: https://events.humanitix.com/tricks-dips-and-slides-with…
Sunday, April 12th: Workshop 1 (10:00 AM – 12:00 PM) – Boogie Woogie Basics to Social Mastery:
The Sydney Swing Katz are internationally celebrated for their Boogie Woogie expertise, competing yearly in European championships and claiming numerous titles. Founder and director Justin alone has shelves of trophies from his competitive days. This class begins at a beginner-friendly level for Boogie Woogie specifics and builds to comfortable social dancing, ideal if you already know partner dancing basics, footwork rhythms, and are ready to add high-energy Boogie grooves to your repertoire.
TICKETS: https://events.humanitix.com/boogie-woogie-basics-to…
Sunday, April 12th: Workshop 2 (1:00 PM – 3:00 PM) – Intensify Your Lindy Hop with Technique Infusions:
Transform your social dancing with pro-level technique from the Sydney Swing Katz. Perfect for anyone wanting to enhance their skills on the floor, we’ll slow it down to refine connection, communication, and musicality. Focus on smooth execution and those delicious slow, groovy moves that let you glide effortlessly like Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, savouring the music, partnership, and deep grooves while looking utterly spectacular.
TICKETS: https://events.humanitix.com/intensify-your-lindy-hop…
FULL WEEKEND PASS INCLUDING SOCIAL DANCE SATURDAY NIGHT:
Tickets: https://events.humanitix.com/sydney-swing-katz-full…
One of my fav pic this christmas when the girls raided Mema’s vintage wardrobe and styled themselves! Proud moment!
That’s it for me tonight! Love and blessings, catch you on the flip side!
Chrissy & Ray xx