Hi everyone, there is a lot of information in this email so please read it carefully and if you have any questions don’t hesitate to ask us.
Registration
When you arrive just tell us your name at registration and you’ll get a wristband which will get you in to all events. Registration will be open:
Friday 6.30pm – 11.30pm
Saturday 10.00am – 12.00am and 9.00pm – 11.00pm
Sunday 10.00am – 11.00am
If you can’t arrive during those times then you need to text in advance to Kate 07943 000 795, ideally the day before, to arrange how to get your wristband. (Single night ticket holders don’t need to register, just tell security their name on arrival.)
Evening Schedule
We will have two floors every night, with upstairs opening once it’s busy. Food will be available every night. Headline times are:
Friday night 6.30pm – 12 midnight
6.30 – 7.30 Registrations
7.30pm – 8.30pm Thriller Charleston Stroll Class with Nat & Oli from the Mudflappers
9.30pm Performances (upstairs open 9.45pm)
10.15pm Live band: Bag of Cats
Saturday night 9.00pm – 1.30am
10.30pm Swing Circus Cabaret
Sunday night 9.00pm – 1.30am
9.00pm J’n’J heats (just turn up, please arrive 8.45pm)
10.30pm Big R Big Band first set
11.45pm J’n’J final & band second set
Sunday Late All Hallows Hall, Open 1.30am-4.30am
13 All Hallows Road, BS5 0HH
Make sure you have a wristband to get in.
1.30am Blues taster class with David Zilkha
Dance Taster Classes
Friday evening’s Thriller Charleston Stroll is free to everyone to attend.
Saturday morning at Circomedia will feature a warm up and stretch inspired by Swing Train and taught by Bristolian Hazel Crimmins.
Saturday and Sunday afternoon will have a range of taster classes. Andy and Linz will be teaching aerials on both days to a small group of people. Sign up at Registrations to reserve your place.
None of the other dance taster classes not require sign-up so just turn up and enjoy.
Massages available at BSF
We have two masseurs coming to the festival and you will be able to enjoy time with them both in the evenings at Trinity and daytimes at Circomedia. Check with Registration for booking details.
Food & Drink at Trinity
There is a full bar & food service, please don’t bring in any of your own drinks or food (you’re welcome to bring a bottle of water).
There will be veggie chilli with rice & sides every night to keep you going, plus cake/brownie bites with tea/coffee. Serving times will be approximately:
Friday 6.30pm – 11.00pm
Saturday 9pm – 12 midnight
Sunday 9pm – 12 midnight
Most important: the kitchen staff are all dancers and would like to be asked to dance.
Gluten-free or Vegan – the main meals are fully gluten-free and vegan except the dairy sides (sour cream, grated cheese). The small cakes / brownies are unlikely to be vegan or gluten-free.
Nut allergy – nuts are used in the kitchen, so please make your own food arrangements.
All Hallows Hall
Hot drinks & toast will be available free. You are welcome to bring anything else you want to eat or drink
Water
There will be water available at all venues. During the day you will need to bring your own water bottle to top up, at night there will be glasses available.
Food & Drink at Circomedia
The cafe will be open at Circomedia for breakfast baps, lunch & snacks, with at least two different serving points. You’re welcome to bring your own food & drinks to Circomedia but please don’t consume them inside the cafe. Cafe serving times will be (closing time may extend if they are busy):
Saturday 9.30am-5pm approx
Sunday 9.30am-5pm approx
Monday 10am-4.30pm approx
Gluten-free or Vegan – the cafe can cater for you but it would be helpful to know approximate numbers. Please email david@swingdancebristol.com asap with email subject ‘Cafe food’. At the festival it would be best to order lunch in the morning before classes start.
Nut allergy – the cafe is completely nut-free, so everything is suitable.
Beginners & both Solo Jazz classes
You will need to pre-order lunches in the morning, so please arrive in your classroom around 10.45am to order, and then your lunch will be delivered to your classroom. This is to prevent you having to wait too long in the cafe.
Activities before the festival
On Thursday night there is a pre-BSF warm up party organised by our friends at The Gert Lush Battery Powered Blues Fusion Revolution. Details at the end of this email.
We considered arranging a Friday afternoon social gathering for those in Bristol or coming early but decided against an extra event. If anyone is in town and looking for something to do we always recommend The Old Duke in town. It’s a great little jazz pub, close to the river and a nice place to hang out.
Essential information for circus taster classes
It is very important that you wear appropriate clothing for safety and to protect your skin. What you need to bring depends on which circus skills you have chosen:
Trapeze/Aerial Hoop/Rope/Silks – wear long-sleeved tops and leggings, two pairs are more comfortable, definitely no baggy or tight restricting clothes. Sports bras recommended. Check what you have chosen and bring appropriate clothes with you
Chinese pole – it is essential to wear jeans, and leggings underneath are strongly advised. And trainers with good grip that can be tied very tightly.
Everything else – clothes you can move freely in, nothing loose or sharp that could catch you or others.
We will ask you to fill in a disclaimer form at registration. If this identifies any risks please discuss these with your first circus teacher. Your personal circus timetable will be given to you on Saturday morning.
Addresses
Evening dances:
The Trinity Centre, Trinity Road, BS2 0NW
All Hallows, 13 All Hallows Road, BS5 0HH
Daytime venue
This is really important.. Circomedia has two sites – one is a former church in the centre of Bristol and the other is a training facility. Apart from Savoy, the daytime classes are at the training facility in Kingswood, not the Portland Sq site. All the daytime classes and circus tasters take place there, except for the Savoy Class which will have its lessons in the Kingswood Community Centre for your daytime lessons, High Road, BS15 4AB
Security
We have exclusive use of all our venues during our booked times, and security on the door at all evening events. Bristol is a fairly safe city, but we’d recommend traveling to & from the after-party in groups.
The Gert Lush Battery Powered Blues Fusion
Live music from Bristol’s own, inimitable “Battery Powered Blues Ban” – a queer blend of glitter, leggings and battery powered trad-fusion blues!
Then we take it back to the way blues dancing started… with a full scale blues jam! – musicians and dancers, improvising together. ***Musician bonus*** If you play, you get in free!
DJ-’s fill the gaps so you can groove on all night long!
If you’ve not danced Blues – or danced at all! – then come along to our free taster class. It will be a fun introduction to partner dancing with a relaxed connection. No experience or partner necessary, just join in!
Our awesome venue will be The Brunswick Club. It has a super sweet dance floor surrounded by carpety coziness a wrap-around sofa!
*BYO!! *
Where?
The Brunswick Club
15-16 Brunswick Square
BS2 8NX
When?
Thursday 13th April
Doors – 7:30
Taster class – 8:00
DJing/live music & jam till late…
Suggested donation – £5
Saint Savoy Dance Shoes
If you need some new dance shoes then bear in mind we have the fabulous Saint Savoy shoes coming over from Belgium.