DANCING in the streets will be all the go this weekend, as Canberra’s festival of swing dancing known as “Canberr?ng” marks its 11th year.
A celebration of swing dancing and jazz, the event draws participants from round Australia and overseas.
The festival is organised each year by Jumptown Swing, the local swing-dancing society and this year they’re expecting around 200 dancers to take part.
In case you’re wondering, the name “Canberr?ng” is a reflection a much larger and more famous swing dancing festival held every year in a town called Herr?ng in Sweden.
Swing dancing, also known as the “Lindy Hop” originated in New York during the ’30s and ’40s, but has been undergoing a worldwide revival since the mid 1990s.
The chilly theme for 2013 is “Baby, it’s cold outside” and it’s easy to see why.
The weekend will feature snow kings and queens as well as skiers and, we are assured, “the odd penguin or two”, especially in the “Penguin Parade” at the chessboard in Garema Place on Saturday, August 3 between 11 am and noon. On Sunday, August 4, dancers will recreate their own winter wonderland at the Old Bus Depot Markets from 11am to noon.
There are, as well, Friday and Saturday evening events at venues such as the Hotel Kurrajong, the White Eagle Polish club and the Italo-Australian club, featuring live jazz bands from Canberra and Melbourne and swing dance performances.
Details at canberrang.org
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