The Perth Swing Dance Society stepped back in time for its inaugural 1940's Swing Ball at the beautifully restored Midland Town Hall.

Guests came from afar for the biggest swing function of the year, steeped in style and glamour and featuring the Fremantie Jazz Orchestra with vocalists Stephen Michael and Kate Uphill as well as shows by the Hullabaloo Hoppers Performance Team.

Western Suburbs Weekly, May 2003
Zoo Jazz

The cuddly (and not so cuddly) animals at Perth Zoo provided interesting backing vocals to Jazz group Baseline Benny's concert in the zoo's tropical garden. Picnickers grooved to the cool jazz sounds and watched swing dance demonstrations.

The original music makers: Big bands fronted by virtuoso leaders who became stars themselves, such as Count Basie, Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw, Lionel Hampton and Chick Webb. They fused jazz music with the early beginnings of pop.

New faces: With a resurgence last decade. bands with such colourful names as Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Royal Crown Revue, Cherry Poppin' Daddies, Squirrel Nut Zippers and The Flipped Fedoras got young people back into the swing. They fuse old jazz with modern rock, punk ska and rockabilly. These smaller bands replaced the traditional clarinet with tenor sax and found singers to replace band leaders.

Grab a partner. Swing rekindles a love for dancing with a partner after Chubby Checker taught us how to do The Twist alone.

Dance steps: Energetic and positive with elements of dances such as the Charlston, Lindy Hop, Shag, Shim Sham and Jitterbug. Dress the part Two-tone or wing-tipped shoes, smart zoot suits, bobby socks, full skirts and a big smile.

Just curious: The free hangouts for swing dance lovers are Fridays from 6.30pm at the Mustang Bar in Lake Street, Northbridge with eightpiece band Harry Deluxe. Then from 9pm head to the West End Bar (166 Colin Street, West Perth) to dance the night away with Jus' Jump.

Join In: The Perth Swing Dance Society is a social club designed to spread the word. They put on dance nights, have exhibition groups and host workshops for skill improvement.

More Info: Visit perthswing.com

HEP cats and kittens showed their style at the Swing Dance Society's launch party at the Hyde Park Hotel.

The night swung into high gear after a half-hour crash course in Swing Jazz steps with band Bassline Benny dishing out the live grooves.

Organised and run by swing dancers, the Perth Swing Dance Society is a social club created to further the awareness and enjoyment of swing dancing and music.