The Lindy Diner  (Lindy Hop in Aylesbury every Thursday)

The Lindy Diner is a weekly Lindy Hop venue offering lessons and freestyle music in fun and friendly environment. Every Thursday, Andy and Anna teach 2 levels of Lindy - beginner and intermediate, and this is followed by over an hour of fabulous Swing music for freestyle.

**Note Modern Jive also takes place each Thyrsday in hall next door.  see www.jiveplus.com

EVERY THURSDAY

7:30pm Doors Open

7:45pm Beginner class

8:45pm Intermediate class

9:30 freestyle until 10:45

Sir Henry Floyd Grammar School, Oxford Road, Aylesbuy HP21 8PE

£5 for one class, or £8 for whole evening

ANNOUNCEMENTS

• THE DINER IS CURRENTLY CLOSED FOR SUMMER AND RE-OPENS ON AUGUST 28TH

• LEADING UP TO THE SUMMER BREAK WE HAD MORE LADIES THAN MEN FOR SEVERAL WEEKS - SO COME ON GUYS, GIVE THE  DINER A TRY & HELP US EVEN UP NUMBERS

• PLEASE COME ALONG TO FRIARS SQUARE SHOPPING CENTRE ON SEPTEMBER 6TH TO HELP US ENTERTAIN THE SHOPPERS, AND MAYBE ATTRACT ONE OR TWO OF THEM TO OUR CLASSES.

• NEXT BEGINNER COURSE STARTS THURSDAY 11TH SEPTEMBER (WEEK FOLLOWING FRIARS SQUARE BUSK.

• FOR ANY OF YOU LEARNING THE "SLOW BOAT TO CHINA" ROUTINE, YOU'LL FIND ALL THE MOVES LISTED FURTHER DOWN THIS PAGE (AFTER "FAQs)"

ANDY & ANNA

Andy and Anna have been teaching together at the Diner for over 2 years now. They both enjoy giving a relaxed and informal class, and are happy to answer any questions in class, or go over things after class.

They have huge enthusiasm for Lindy Hop and pride themselves on delivering a huge variety of material from week to week.

Andy is 3 times UK Lindy Hop champion, and Anna has the talent to be a future champion..

MORE DETAILS

The Venue

This takes place in Sir Henry Floyd Grammar School, Oxford Road, Aylesbuy HP21 8PE. Entrance to the school is off Oxford road - turn left at mini roundabout straight after crossing the railway line coming out of Aylesbury.

As Jive+ operate on the same night - follow their signs to main entrance (Go through the Jive hall to reach the Lindy Diner).

The classes

Doors open at 7:30 when we'll be playing some gentle swing music suitable for beginner practice.

Beginner class starts at 7:45, and is suitable for anyone in their first year of Lindy Hop. We make every effort to ensure absolute beginners can keep up with the pace in this class, but we also include tips and techniques for those well into their first year of Lindy, so newcomers may take a week or two to find their feet. If you are a complete beginner, and don't feel very confident about venturing into Lindy, then we suggest you join us for the first time at the start of one of our 8 week Beginner courses. Courses start every couple of months (see "announcements" above for details of next course). 

Intermediate class starts at 8:45, and is suitable for those who have done at least a year of regular weekly Lindy. This measure is a rough guide, and some people may be up to scratch after 9 months - if in doubt whether or not you're ready, just ask Andy and Anna for their opinion. You will find huge variety in this class, and you'll not only learn some fabulous figures, but also we cover musicality, lead/follow, breaks - basically everything to do with having a great dance.

Freestyle

Between the two classes there will be 10 minutes of freestyle with straight forward  swing music suitable for practicing the first lesson, or anything else you have in your repertoire.

Following the intermediate lessons, we provide around an hour and a quarter of swing music covering various tempos and styles. We aim to offer a mix suitable for all Lindy Hoppers, so if we aren't playing your favorites just let us know and we'll see what we can do for the following week. The Diner is a laid back affair, and is set out to make it as easy as possible to chat to other dancers when you're taking a break from the dancing.

Finish

The night ends at 10:45. Have a quick scout around the tables for any remaining jelly babies, then head off with a flyer or two in hand to tempt any of your friends to join us next time..

FAQs

Can I still do the beginner class even though I've been dancing more than a year?

Lots of people do this as it is very good practice for perfecting the basics, and helps your technique when tackling the more challenging figures of the intermediate class.

Can I still do the intermediate class even though I'm still in my first year of Lindy?

One or two people do this, but generally speaking it will be too challenging for those in their first year, and so it won't help your dancing. If you attempt this class to early, you may make it difficult for others in the class to get the most out of it. So if you think you are ready - just ask us.

Can I come along on my own?

Of course you can - many people do. We encourage everybody to rotate in the classes so you get to meet everyone, and you get used to dancing with different people. Though if you want to come along as a couple, and want to stay out of the rotation, then we are not going to object.

When can I start?

You can join us any week you like - no booking necessary. But if you are new to Lindy and you'd like a very gentle introduction, we suggest you join in at the start of one of our 8 week beginner courses.

Is there a car park?

Yes there is a car park right outside. It's a school, so plenty of parking.

The following are team routines taught at Aylesbury, usually with the shopping centre busks in mind. 

"SLOW BOAT TO CHINA"

0:00 (2 bars)

Stand side by side in side charleston position, ready to start at the beginning of bar 3

PART 1

0:06 "hey nice piano playing"(4 bars)

Twiddly dee (same feet, both starting with rock on right)

start second twiddly dee but changes to susie Q to left on beat 4

Twiddly dee (same feet, both starting with rock on left)

start second twiddly dee but changes to susie Q to right on beat 4

0:19 "I'm gonna get you" (4 bars)

Tuck turn, change places, left side pass, free spin

Around back (finishing figure by 5) push feet out 5, bring together 7

0:32 "get you and keep you" (4 bars)

Lindy circle, tuck turn with 2 blocks, texas tommy

Break on 1 of 4th bar, mess around

PART 2

0:46 "out on the briney" (4 bars)

Lindy turn, reverse turn, lindy turn

half lindy turn with shuffle to side starting on 5

0:59 "I'm gonna get you" (3 bars)

jig walk, jig walk, tuck turn (catch right to right)

rockstep girl, wrap girl in (guy kickstep, girl run run) both kick right leg turning left

1:09 "alone" (3 bars)

ride the bike (for 3 whole bars, drop down on 7 of 3rd bar to exit)

PART 3

1:19 "I'm gonna get you" ( 4 bars)

tuck turn, return (ending up in close hold)

groucho with kicks on 5 and 6

tuck turn (girl takes 4 counts to turn under, then guy takes 4 counts

1:33 "get you and keep you" (4 bars)

Lindy circle, yo yo, yo yo with outside turn (break on 1 of 4th bar)

PART 4

1:46 "out on the briney" ( 4 bars)

choreography not yet complete

1:59 "I'm gonna get you" (4 bars)

choreography not yet complete

2:13 "all to myself (4 bars)

choreography not yet complete

2:26 Finish

 "SINGIN IN THE RAIN"

The routine description is broken down into 4 bar chunks, headed by the first line of each in the song (numbers indicate start time of each phrase)

0:00 clap of thunder

open brolly, and move out of huddle and into tight circle

tap right foot 8 times, then left foot 8 times

link arms with partner and tripple step diagonally forward for 2 bars (start to the right)

0:21 I’m singin in the rain

Point brolly to outside of circle, spin it in hands and susie Q to the left

On 4th bar, point brolly up in air and skip into single file line 

0:34 I’m laughing at clouds

Close brollies and point to the side (guys to left and girls to right), then move out to 2 lines bringing brolly over head to form arch.

On bar 2, front couple heads through arch, closely followed by next

*dump brollies on floor at back, and peel off (right then left) with partner to form line across back of floor (guys lead the way going to right and girls lead to left)

0:47 Let the stormy clouds chase

Turn to face front and Shortie George for 7 counts starting on left.

Turn to left, and start chase on 8 of first bar (only front person in line does feet apart on 5)

3 chases completes the phrase

1:02 Well I walk down the lane

Continue to kick on 8 to go into fall off log (3 bars)

Connect with partner and skip in circle for last bar

1:15 Well I’m singin

Swing out

lindy turn

hip halt with no turn for follower

hip halt with turn and half for follower

1:29 I’m laughin, laughin at the clouds

back charleston

back charleston with full turn for follower

back charleston

slow turn for girl in preparation for cross kicks

1:43 Let the stormy clouds chase

Cross kicks starting on last 2 beats of previous phrase

after 3 pushes, kick around and move to next partner

cross kicks and after 3 pushes kick around back to original partner

1:57 Well I walk down the lane

right hand to right hand kick walk

starts on last 2 beats of previous phrase, leaders pull hand to start it off, everyone starts kicking right foot

after 4 kicks, pull and kick around (lead and follow both turn anti clock)

resume right hand to right (should be back in original position with girl's back to audience)

after 4 more kicks, pull and kick around, aiming for all in straight line facing left (followers should be in front of their lead)

jump, jump, jump still in line then girls take a step towards audience to form their own line

2:11 Sax instumental

brollies are passed along each line, fed by the couple who got split up during cross kicks

all girls should look to their right to receive brolly, all guys should look to their left to receive brolly

pass each brolly in windscreen wiper fashion to next person in line (until each person has a brolly)

guys open brolly facing front, girls open brolly above head and skip around guy to end up on their guys left

all point brollies upwards and face partner

2:24 Sax instrumemtal

everyone skates to the right first, zig zagging past each of the leasders / followers

person at front of leaders line and followers line leads them around to front, aiming to take the whole phrase to get there 

2:38 Shabop abop bip bip

brollies facing front, each line gallops sideways, criss crossing in the middle to form 2 circles (leaders on outside and followers in centre)

2:52 Sha bop a boppa

First bar : guys break out of the circle into 2 lines (guy 1 leads out the back line of 2,, guy 3 leads out the front line of 3)

Second bar : girls break out of circle to pair up with their partner (front row keep their brollies spinning while back row dump theirs

third bar and fourth bar : back row forward and front row back (new back row ditch brollies)

3:05 When you’re Singin, singin in the rain

Now in 2 staggered lines)

Swing out

lindy turn with girl going under arm

monkey walk forwards

stompy shuffle back (keeping in 2 lines)

3:19 I’m happy again

side charleston x 2

twidly dee into charleston swing outside leg

run run run

3:33 Well I’m a sing sing singin

Tuck turn double turn

lindy turn (inside turn)

around the world (changing hands half way through)

3:47 Well I’m wingin and swingin

(right to right hold)

rock step wrap in to side and step back

walk forward twisting in and out

bounce on the spot twisting in out in

turn girl one and a half turns clockwise (still kicking) (change hands for second turn)

girl around the back

crazy legs

4:00 Finale

all join hands into 3 rows and gallop into close formation 

back row lift girl and brolly

GOODY GOODY

Part 1

0:00 Introduction (2 bar intro)

Stand with partner in close hold position

0:05 "So you met someone" (4 bars)

twidly dee, into Johnny's drop

twidly dee, into Johnny's drop

0:18 "So you gave him your heart too" (4 bars)

susie Q into bang bottoms

susie Q into boogie drop to front

circle

lean out and jump back together

(alternative to above 2 bars is for lady to squat to floor and guy to kick leg over - then pull lady through and up to face, aiming for landing on 6)

0:31 "So you lie awake" (4 bars)

swing out

texas tommy

heel rock into cross kicks (2 full bars)

0:44 "Hooray and heleluya" (6 bars)

kick around

back charleston

back charleston (push away)

back charleston (push away)

back charleston (don't quite finish it)

drop back - bring girl up pushing right elbow to turn girl under right arm

end facing each other with guy having turned 90 degrees to left

Part 2 

1:03 trumpet instrumental (4 bars)

groucho, stepping on 2, 4 and 6 - finish with triple as you drift apart

6 count wrap in - prepare 7,8

groucho, stepping on 2, 4 and 6 - finish with triple as you drift apart

6 count wrap in (turning to front and both putting weight on right foot)

1:17 instrumental (4 bars)

kick left foot on 8 leading into susie Q to the left (look at each other on 6

kick right foot on 8 leading into susie Q to the right (look at each other on 6, to fronot on 7)

ladies walk around the man anti-clockwise in sexy style - guys watch the lady and click fingers

1:30 instrumental (4 bars)

monkey walk, stepping on 2, 4 and 6 (big steps) regain your balance on 7,8

waddle backwards sticking your bum out

monkey walk, stepping on 2, 4 and 6 (big steps) regain your balance on 7,8

waddle backwards sticking your bum out

1:44 instrumental (6 bars)

tuck turn with 2 blocks

6 beat wrap in

tuck turn jump (with 2 bounces)

ladies take over - tuck turn jump with 2 bounces

ladies head back towards your starting positions, inticing the guys to join you

guys (on the next bar) strut back to your partner

2:02 repeat Part 1 

Finish the routine by picking up the girl, spinning around and putting her down

OPUS 1 

0:00 Introduction

Introduction is only 1 bar - stand with partners in circular formation all facing outwards

0:02 "I'm rackin my brain"

Boogie forward away from centre

Boogie back to original position

repeat

0:15 "the melody's dumb"

Link arms and susie Q to left (kick left foot on 8)

susie Q to right (kick right foot on 8)

repeat

0:27 "we call it Opus 1!

Kick the dog with high kick on 3rd kick in

rock step and stomp down on 7 (keeping close hold)

boogie back as a pair for 1 bar (slapping each other's hands)

rock forwards and back to slow count (clicking fingers)

0:40 "if Mr les brown"

Groucho outward, Groucho back towards centre

Groucho outward, jumping apart on 7 land 8, crazy legs for bar

0:53 instrumental

Cross kicks - 3 pushes change partner to right (kicking around)

3 pushes with new partner, return to original partner (kicking around)

1:05 instrumental

right hand to right hand - high kick, rock step, pull girls into circle facing out

Repeat from top (missing out first bar of routine)

(don't catch right to right after cross kicks - just keep kicking around to end of music)