Together at the Melbourne Lindy Exchange (MLX 2023)

With the schedule of local dance classes winding down for the year, it’s a good time to reflect not just on my recent attendance at the Melbourne Lindy Exchange (MLX), but also on the year of major dance exchange events that was.

For me, it started with the Adelaide Lindy Exchange, Hullabaloo (in Perth), Brisbane Swing Thing, Canberräng (in Canberra), the Swing Into Spring Lindy Hop Weekender (in Sydney), Brisbane Balboa Weekend, and finally, the Melbourne Lindy Exchange.

It goes without saying that, aside from having the opportunity to dance in different venues and to different live bands (and DJs), attending a major dance exchange event (of any kind) is a great way to meet and connect with swing dancers from all over Australia (and overseas), to cement (or test) your social dancing skills, and to gain valuable experience dancing with a diverse range of people of varying abilities who have been shaped by different ideas. Plus, it’s just a whole lot of fun, and my time at MLX was no exception.

Throwing down in a jam circle

After a 4-year break due to the global pandemic, the return of MLX saw it's 20th Anniversary edition brought to life with 4 nights of social dancing (to some amazing live bands and DJs, in some incredible venues), plus 2 late-night events (with an excellent range of snacks), and even included a high stakes dance competition (the Savoy Cup Australia Qualifier). But that's not all - whilst MLX itself is a social dancing only event, I did take the opportunity to attend two separate dance workshops (Lindy Hop and Balboa) with some experienced dance teachers during this same trip also - it was full weekend indeed!

Finalists at the Champions Cup qualifier

With MLX tickets having sold out in about 3 minutes, this was certainly the biggest major dance exchange event in Australia in recent times, and the fear of missing out (FOMO), both for those who had actually missed out on tickets as well as those who didn't, was very real... And I get it, I really do. You pay a lot of money for a full weekend pass, for flights and accommodation. You see familiar faces from all of the previous dance exchanges you have ever attended, and you want to catch-up and dance with all of them because you've missed them terribly. But 4 days of social dancing (often with very little sleep) is a lot, and when you start to feel sub-optimal, the urge to keep going despite the beginnings of a cough or a sore throat can be very strong. (Life in general may have opened up again, but the threat of debilitating respiratory illnesses still remains.) I could say more about this, but I want to keep this light because overall, this was a good trip.

Brisbane Crew’s take on the theme “Friday at the Foot ball”

Thanks again to the organisers, venues, musicians, DJs, volunteers, attendees, and my Brisbane crew for making MLX the event that it was – a great way to bookend the swing dancing year! Thanks for all the dances and the catch-ups, and here's hoping we see you all again at another major dance exchange event soon. In the meantime...

Remember to stay safe, look after each other, and happy dancing! ~

Mama Trang

It's 1.30am and I should be asleep... BUT THE ILHC WAS SO GOOD!!!

The International Lindy Hop Championships in New York City have just ended and I was fortunate enough to attend. As I come off my dance exchange high, I'd like to share some of the experience. This was my first big dance exchange so I was super excited!

Thursday night kicked off the weekend with a World Lindy Hop Day/ Frankie Manning birthday celebration hosted by the Frankie Manning Foundation in the historic Harlem Alhambra Ballroom. There was a panel discussion, beginner lesson, performances, and social dancing with live music from Charles Turner and Uptown Swing Band. It was a great way to kick of the weekend in the neighbourhood where Lindy Hop was born.

Friday, Saturday and Sunday were the official event days - The ILHC venue this year was the Edison Ballroom just off Times Square in NYC. What a location! I was staying at the adjacent Edison Hotel which turned out to be a fabulous idea after the late night finishes. After a sleep in (then covid testing and temperature check) there were 2 or 3 lessons during the day, video and in person competitions, and social dancing and final comps to live bands at night. The bands were fabulous - Eyal Vilner Big Band and Danny Jonokuchi & the Revisionists.

The teachers were some of my swing idols (!) Bianca & Nils, Laura & Remy, Peter & Naomi, LaTasha & Tyedric, Ramona & Todd, and Irina & Anthony. There were additional big names in the competitions and judging panel e.g. Sylvia Sykes, Jo, Felix, Natalia, Ari & Simon - make sure you check out the videos as I don't have space to name them all! Lessons included learning moves, techniques, working on grooving and taking time, and musicality. Watching the competitions made me so excited for what this dance can be and re-sparked the fire to get practicing and learning. The All Star and Invitational comps were an absolute highlight, as was dancing with some of my swing idols - these are heroes that you won't regret meeting!

Another highlight was competing in the open luck-of-the-draw prelims where I was randomly matched with three people to dance three songs of varying tempo. I was so excited to learn I had made it to the finals! For the final I picked a name from a 'hat' and had a warm up dance, spotlight, and then all skate to finish. Unfortunately I didn't place, but I can be proud that I made it to the finals in my first ever Lindy competition! And at ILHC of all places which draws in dancers from around the world.

The event is put together by a group of dancers that do their absolute best to make the event what it is. A big thank you Tena, Sylvia, Scott, Brett, LaTasha and the whole ILHC team. The vibe created by having so many swing dancers come together to celebrate was like a big hug. Everyone was so happy to be there and so encouraging, even if in direct competition with someone. I made some great friends and met so many lovely people. If you've never attended a dance exchange...do it. You will have the BEST time! It was an unforgettable weekend and I am already keen to get back there and any other event as soon as I can!

—Sarah V

Thanks so much for sharing your experience with us Sarah. We are just so gosh darn proud of you!
—Rob & Emma