We welcome Su Gorrie back to teach us the Shim Sham! The Shim Sham is a choreographed routine, originally a Tap Anthem, and has become an important part of Swing Dance Communities.* (Read more about the history below)
The workshop will be followed by an evening social with singer Kelly Young & pianist. Kelly has been a professional singer for 14+ years and has performed at numerous events and venues throughout the country. A great opportunity to practice your solo jazz moves and shim sham!
Level: All levels, though it will be helpful if you have done a few lindy lessons to get to know the dance style.
Duration: 3 hours including breaks.
13.15 Doors open
13.30 Workshop starts
13.30-16.30 Shimsham (with two 10 min breaks)
16.30-18.30 Option to go for meal in city centre (details provided nearer the time)
19:00-21:30 Social with singer Kelly Young & pianist
What to bring:
Water or other soft drink, and a towel, deoderant and fan may be useful.
Please also bring a cup/mug for tea & coffee.
What to wear:
Classes are very casual, so wear clothes you are comfortable in and allow you to move freely. Flat shoes are best, and ideally fairly light and not too much grip – also not shoes that might easily fall off your foot. No black soled shoes or stiletto heels which may mark the floor. Remember to bring an outfit for the evening social!
Car parking:
There is limited on street parking on Southernhay East & West and Dix’s Field road which is free after 6pm. There are plenty of nearby car parks including Princesshay and Dix’s Field.
Further afield you can park in Triangle or Parr Street car parks, these cost a little less but will involve around 5 – 10 minutes walk. You may also find free parking in residential streets in Newtown and St Leonards.
Public transport:
Our venue is approximately a 2 minute walk from the high street and city bus routes, and about 10 minutes walk from Exeter Central railway station. There is a cycle rack directly opposite the venue above the car park ramp to Princesshay 3.
Facilities:
Toilets and kitchenette to refill water bottles. Tea, coffee and biscuits will be provided. Soft drinks will be provided in the evening.
As the venue has a high quality sprung dance floor we ask that all attendees are mindful of the shoes they wear. No black soled shoes or stiletto heels which may mark the floor are to be worn. We may provide dance socks to be placed over shoes if shoes are worn which may damage the floor.
This workshop and social has been subsidised by Swing Exe as a thank you to our community for your support.
*The Shim Sham, also known as the Shim Sham Shimmy, is a tap dance routine that has become a staple in the world of jazz and tap dance. Its history is rich and intertwined with the evolution of American jazz music and dance.
The Shim Sham, in it's tap form, originated in the late 1920s. It was created by Leonard Reed and Willie Bryant, who were performers in Harlem.
The routine was popularized at the Savoy Ballroom and it was designed to be simple enough that performers could join in spontaneously, making it an inclusive and fun routine for dancers of all levels. The basic steps include the Shim Sham Step, the Pushes, Shorty George, the Tacky Annies, the Half Break, and the Full Break.
The Shorty George move originated in the late 1930s. The move is named after George "Shorty" Snowden, a pioneering African-American dancer who was instrumental in the development of the Lindy Hop. Snowden was known for his distinctive style and impressive footwork despite his short stature. Snowden and his partner, Big Bea, popularized this move in their performances and it became a hallmark of Lindy Hop. You can see them dance together here.
The Shim Sham experienced a revival during the mid-20th century, particularly in the 1950s and 1960s, as interest in traditional jazz and tap dance was rekindled. Most famously, we see Frankie Manning dancing the Shim Sham in this era.
The Shim Sham has become a beloved routine within the Lindy Hop and swing dance communities. It's often performed at social dance events, where dancers of all skill levels can participate.