Canberrang 2013 – the Sunday

Baby, it sure was cold outside.

Sunday started off with lindybombing the pants off of Old Bus Depot Markets in Kingston. Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves, and it was probably the most fun I’ve had dancing on concrete. Public displays like that are great – they serve as wonderful advertisements for the dance. The DJs know this, meaning a whole range of songs get showcased – hard to find an hour of dancing as varied as this.

Then… the winery! The beautiful views of lovely outdoors were hampered by an icy wind that cut right through you. Luckily inside had a fire going (lovely!), not to mention the multitude of dancers. Lake George Winery is a nice venue, made all the more so by the availability of wine.

Dinner and dancing at Digress, my favourite place to go out to in Canberra, rounded off the extended weekend. The final social of Canberrang were broken up by a DJ battle and the Swing Olympics, a series of events too surreal to do justice on paper. All I can say is, watching the creative way that a certain team managed to cheat (*cough* China *cough*) at relay, ice skating and tobogganing made my day.

And with that, my Canberrang experience is done for the year. Already I’m counting down the days til my favourite lindy exchange returns to this beautiful city of ours, and when it does I’ll be right here transcribing each day, typing through the pain and fighting off sleep for just another few moments.

Until then, I’ll take some well-earned rest. I hope my fellow dancers are able to do the same.

Canberrang 2013 – the Saturday

The weekend! A chance to relax and unwind.

Haha! As if.

Waking up this morning at the unreasonable hour of 10 am wasn’t as rough as it could have been, but it was no picnic. But it was worth it. A special hi to anyone who came to saw us dance at Garema Place in the middle of Canberra’s central shopping district – if you’re interested, I recommend signing up for lessons. It’s pretty much always like that for swing socials. Well okay, the awesome live band is usually a DJ. But not always!

Afternoon dancing at Australian National University House was the point during the day when I realised I’m going to be hungry and thirsty no matter what I do. It’s a strange sensation to be full yet aching for more food, or dehydrated despite drinking constantly.

And come Monday, I’ll likely sleep all day and still feel tired. There’s nothing like constant exercise to make you feel like you’re breaking the rules of biology.

The evening event was held at Albert Hall, one of my favourite venues. Its large dance floor struggles under the number of dancers the socials there attract, but the genuine old-time feel of the place gives it a great atmosphere. There’s a balcony, too, that lets you get away from it all while giving you a perfect view. I can say from experience, though – if you’re up in the balcony and there’s a Shim Sham, by the time you get down there it’ll be up to the full break. Ah well.

Then there was the afterparty. As usual, it was a blur of great food, sore legs and really bizarre dancing. One of the most fun things you can be doing at 1:30am… that’s right, I stand by that.

Canberrang 2013 – the Friday

Dancing in a wintery wonderland.

Tonight was held at the Italo-Australian club, a nice venue with spacious dance floors and great pizzas. Seriously – the cost-to-dancing-energy ratio on those things was very low, and it tasted great to boot. People really got into the theme of mountain gear, surprisingly so given that it’s impossible to dance in any such attire.

Then came the after party. All I remember from this is a sensational hot chocolate and a 3am shim sham – not my best, but certainly not my worst.

One thing that’s becoming clear is that my fast dancing is getting better. I’m keeping up with songs that as little as a month ago would have had me flailing around like a fish with arthritis. Nothing like endless social dancing to really test your abilities.

Words are coming difficultly to me. My shower and bed beckon, my body all too aware that dancing at Garema place is less than eight hours away. Lindybombing the middle of Canberra, with a live band – I can’t wait, yet I’m going to hate my alarm when it goes off.

Canberrang 2013!

Oh boy, is it that time of year already?

The event that launched this blog is back – Canberrang 2013 is officially underway. Like last year the Thursday night was at the wonderful Kurrajong Hotel. DJs kept the pace low (thank goodness!), giving us humble dancers the chance for our legs to warm up.

One event down, a mere ten to go. I’m buzzing. I’m feeling tired, sweaty and hungry. It’s going to be a great weekend.