On Sunday 30th July, just under 2000 people, attended the UK’s largest FREE Jive, Swing, Vintage and Jazz Festival, now termed ‘The Big JiveSwing Festival’, organised by JiveSwing.Com and Watford Borough Council. .
.
The Big JiveSwing Festival Crowds
Whilst held in Cassiobury Park, Watford, due to the popularity of the event, now in it’s 5th year, Watford locals, dancers and families, came not only from Hertfordshire, but all over the UK.
Down for the Count Swing Band
As people started to arrive, the afternoon kicked off with, Jeep Jump Jive, DJ Micheal Proctor and one of London’s leading bands, Down for the Count.
Charlie’s Angels – Vintage Dance Troupe
Followed by performances, by Charlie’s Angels, one of the UK’s leading All-Female dance performance troupes and the Last Chance Ragtime Band.
The Last Chance Ragtime Band
Crowds gathered, towards the performance stage, as the all new JiveSwing Hoppers, exciting everyone with their acrobatic 1940’s Lindy Hop and 1950’s Rock n Roll routines.
JiveSwing Hoppers: Photo by William Weaver
As the afternoon warmed up, it was time for the ‘JiveAces’, as seen on Britain’s got talent, who welcomed JiveSwing’s very own Joseph Sewell & Charlotte Middlemiss, as seen on BBC Wartime Farm, to perform an impromptu improvised 1940’s Acrobatic Lindy Hop dance to one of their songs.
The Jive Aces, with Joseph & Charlotte dancing
During each show, there were free dance classes, where JiveSwing dance teacher Joseph Sewell, got hundreds of people up on the floor participating, creating a rapturous atmosphere.
JiveSwing Stroll Class, with Joseph Sewell
The final band of the day, was Stolen Moments, from north London, followed by a few tracks from the DJ. Crowds gravitated towards the dance floor area and kept dancing until the very end.
Stolen Moments Band
Everyone cheered and clapped, as we made the final announcement, that the date for the Big JiveSwing Festival 2018, is already set for 29th July 2018, so put the date in your diary now. 🙂
