Merry Knew Year Swing Kids, Welcome to 2022 or is it still 2020 or 2021, I can’t work it out, its all still blurry!
Before that:
Lets talk about that subject line quote: Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass, it’s about learning to dance in the rain by Shanna LaFluer.. It’s kinda relevant right now and has been for the past two years for Ray and I.. Covid is the Storm and the weekly/monthly decisions to wait out the storm or dance in the rain have been real. To date, as you all know, for the most part we have been dancing in the rain and hope to continue to do so but we will just have to keep you all posted on that front. At this stage, the plan is to return for an Australia Day Dance on 26th Jan then classes in February but everyday there is a new weather forecast and we will adjust our sails as required, put up the umbrella, dance in the rain or just put up the feet, who knows… Staying Positive though that this too will pass and we shall all return to the floor!
Sunday 16 January 2022 – Solo Charleston with Chrissy & Ray
Sunday 20 February 2022 – Blues Dance Workshop with Caitlin
Sunday 6 March 2022 – Put some Sass into your Stylings – Burlesque Workshops with Summer & Mara
Saturday 5 February – Camp Hill Antique Centre – 1920’s/30’s Hair and Makeup
Saturday 12 February 2022 – Camp Hill Antique Centre – 1940’s/50’s Hair and Makeup
Swingfit:
Ray’s got new Swingfit clobber, new fancy red shoes and is back into the swing fit of things… If you haven’t tried and looking for some fitness with some jazz moves fun and great tunes, get along. Only $5pp.
Monday 7am
Wednesday 6pm
Friday 7am
The 20 (Okay, there are more than 20) dancers are:
1. Shorty George
2. “Big” Bea
3. Frankie Manning
4. Ann Johnson
5. Jewel McGowan
6. Dean Collins
7. Leon James
8. Norma Miller
9. “Snookie” Beasely
10. Willa Mae Ricker
11. George Greenidge (invented a lot of the Lindy Charleston moves)
12. Arthur Walsh
13. Jean Veloz
14. Lenny Smith
15. Al Minns
16. Pepsi Bethel
17. Irene Thomas
18. William Downes
19. Mickey Jones
20. Hal Takier
21. Betty Takier
22. Gil Brady
You Tube Video and Names reference in order from Robert White – Chief Content Writer and Owner of SWUNGOVER – a Fab reference website – check it out.
Our first Corporate Gig back in 1997.. a Retrospective giggle for you…
We were hired by Sak’s Nightclub, Marina Mirage Gold Coast Circa 1997/8 for New Years Eve to dance on top of the Bar Fridges behind the Bar. Yep, about 2.5Mtr x 1.5 mtr Space on top of the Bar Fridges in amongst the wine bottles to boot!. We had to dance for hours to live band Madison Kat and had to dance through the count down to NYE. It was our very first corporate gig as Dancers with our newley formed Dance School called Katz Korner (Note the HANDMADE by Ray Banner as our backdrop!). My eyes were looking down the whole time and many a time my foot was off the bar but never once did my man let me go, make me feel unsafe and we had so much fun with it all, laughing all the time. It was ridiculous and Oh so great. Could not get away with it today I’m sure but I’m glad e could back then. What a buzz!
The thing was, they paid us in “all you can drink bar tab” and NO Food! Ray, as you know is not a big drinker and back then neither was I, so suffice to say were were a little tipsy and tired by nights end AND to top it off.. have you ever tried to get a taxi (Pre UBER Days) at 2am NYD Morning… Tired, he had a little lay down in the flower beds of Marina Mirage, they never looked so colourful!.
There you go.. A little window into the start of our careers! You’re Welcome ha ha!
Happy New Year everyone, Catch Ya on the Flipside of Crazy and hope to be hugging and laughing and dancing with you all real soon,
Love Chrissy & Ray
Our Happy Customers
Swing On In's Chrissy Keepence and Ray are two cool cats. Their vivacious personalities and enthusiasm really motivate students at all levels. From beginner to advanced, they treat each dancer...
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We have had the greatest time learning to dance with you two. It's such a fun thing to do together, kind of our special time together each week which has...
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So much fun and filled with amazing friendly people!
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I have been dancing for 16 years both modern jive.rock n roll and swing and in my opinion Swing is the most social and energised of them all just one...
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The most friendly and welcoming dance group on the Gold Coast
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Just dropped in to Tuesday night Swing On In class and absolutely loved it! Fantastic teachers, fantastic dancers! See you next week.
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Fantastic ppl fantastic teachers and a whole lotta fun
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How lucky are we to have Chrissy & Ray Keepence teach us Swing Dancing right here in Bangalow.... Taught directly by Frankie Manning himself the grandfather of Swing Dancing, this...
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Ray and Chrissy are both truly gifted in their abilities to teach swing to any age group. There love of this genre is infectious and they keep classes exciting and...
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I can't thank the teachers Ray, Chrissy enough for bringing Swing Dancing into my life. They are wonderful teachers and it has become "my happy place" every week. I've also...
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Loads of fun, Ray and Chrissie are awesome teachers who always take the time to make sure everyone learns at their own pace. I never would have thought I'd enjoy...
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Swing dancing has opened my eyes to a whole new love that I didn't know existed! Ray and Chrissy's expert feedback and patient teaching style makes every class rewarding, exciting...
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I started going to swing on in 9 months ago and I plan to keep going it's lots of fun
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I never learnt to dance before I joined Swing on in. I totally enjoy the experience, great teachers, Ray and Chrissy, great atmosphere, very friendly, lots of fun
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We always have a great time at Swing On In dance classes. There's always lots of great dance moves to learn and heaps of friendly people to dance with.
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This time round we'll be taking our lindy hop to the dance floor replacing the comfortably familiar RnR
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I have always wanted to Swing Dance & Ray was such an awesome teacher. Everyone at the classes are so friendly & welcoming!
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Swing On In is awesome! Chrissy and Ray are excellent teachers and superb dancers, no matter what dance level you are at they are very welcoming. Highly recommended!
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As soon as I get to Queensland I will be there for sure! Chrissy and Ray are not only incredible people with hearts of hold they are also incredibly talented...
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Ray & Chrissy are both as amazing dancers and people. They are so passionate about everything they do. I'm absolutely mesmerised every time I watch them dance. They at an...
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Wonderful, talented teachers and both with a beautiful personality to match!
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Started Lindy Hop with Chrissy and Ray many years ago and they gave me the foundation on which to build my Swing dancing. Lindy Hop has taken me all over...
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Awesome peeps and great Lindy hop dancing for all ages!!!
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Ray and Chrissy are excellent teachers and make it a fun experience. Lindy Hop is in my opinion a life skill. Improvised social dancing is where it's at for me...
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With out a doubt the best dance group in Australia!!
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Do yourself a favour and learn about this stylish and spirited style of partner dancing with the best teachers I could imagine. I love Chrissy and Ray's energy and humour...
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Love going to class each week with Chrissy and Ray. Such fun, great exercise and you get to meet some wonderful people.
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Fabulous dancers, amazing (and most patient) teachers ;-p, incredible people! Wish they were able to get to Perth more often
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Great teachers and great fun. Highly recommended!
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Excellent classes, it's amazing what you can learn in one or two lessons, even with two left feet! Very welcoming and warm and as fun as you make it.
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Ray & Chrissy are both amazing dancers and absolutely delightful people. They are so passionate about everything they do, and open their hearts to assisting others in so many ways.....
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Expert helpful instruction, loads of fun, beautiful people, great exercise - what's not to love! And thanks for the inspiring clips from the original swing era.
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Fantastic........Chrissie and Roy are the Best! Always happy, always patient, a lovely friendly atmosphere and a pleasure to look forward to every week........Betty
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On Wednesday night at Bangalow Swing on In, I have a great time, smile all night, laugh at Ray's jokes and learn to dance at the same time. Our teachers...
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I was hooked after my first lesson! Amazing people and an amazing atmosphere! Ray and Chrissy are fantastic teachers. Something about swing really invigorates the soul. I guarantee that if...
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“We had the pleasure of working with Ray Keepence last year when he did a gig for our Surf Life Saving Club. Ray acted as a DJ and provided Music,...
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QT Gold Coast have been working with Swing-A- Billy Ray Dj Entertainer Services for over 3 years. Ray and his team consistently provide slick, professional entertainment for both our corporate clients...
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Ray Keepance has been my go to music man for 15years. He has provided music for all different occasions for us from birthdays, weddings, funerals, yes funerals. He has the...
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While he may go by the name Swing-a- billy Ray, he is no one trick pony. We have known ray for the past 17 years. Ray began working for us...
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