Whether you get down like Napoleon Dynamite, Beyonce or Ian Curtis, it’s time to let your apprehensions go and put your dancing shoes on. Boogying is the flavour of the month with a slew of shimmying shindigs enlivening the Inner West.
Social Sunday
Okay, you haven’t busted a move since 1974 but you’ve still got it, right? The Bridge Hotel’s live music event on Sundays is probably the groove for you. The Bridge Hotel is known for its historical contribution to Aussie Rock, and is one of Sydney’s longest enduring live music venues. The Hotel’s Sunday Social celebrates a different period of rock ‘n’ roll every week, with the purpose of getting the crowd moving to some of Sydney’s most respected musicians. Social Sunday is held during the very sociable hours of 3.30pm to 7pm, so you can get home in time to watch 60 Minutes.
119 Victoria Road, Rozelle, $10
Swing Dancing
Is your favourite movie Dirty Dancing, Strictly Ballroom or perhaps Grease? Then maybe it’s time you started learning to partner dance, without the fierce competition of the ballroom scene and a bit more of the spunk of the ‘Lindy Hop’ or ‘Collegiate Shag’? (yes, that is the real name of a dance). Maybe it’s time you start learning to swing dance! Let your knees out for weekly classes in the jigging du jour of the ’20s, ’30s and ’40s with beginner and pro lessons held at Petersham Bowling Club every Wednesday night. The classes are singles and queer friendly. Time to invest in some brylcream!
77 Brighton St, Petersham, $15
No Lights No Lycra
If you’re looking to re-enact the cathartic, endorphin-rush experience of your partying days, minus the hangovers, wardrobe malfunctions and bad pick-up lines, then this is the dancing event for you. No Lights No Lycra turns the lights off so you can dance like nobody is watching… because nobody is. The NLNL teams curates a highly danceable playlist each week, generally featuring artists and genres from the ’70s all the way to now. No Lights No Lycra is known for its serious approach to safety and for its welcoming community, so if you haven’t danced for a while or you’re a little bit wary about what could happen in a darkened community hall, taking the plunge is definitely worth it. No Lights No Lycra is held every Thursday just off King Street at 7.30pm – 8.30pm. Wear light clothing because it gets hot and sweaty fast.
189 Church St, Newtown, $7
Salsa 4 Seniors
Salsa is regarded as one of the sexiest styles of dancing. As a distillation of many Latin and Afro-Caribbean dances it has an extensive history as an art form. The Inner West Council has just introduced free weekly salsa classes into its program for seniors, to be held in eight-week blocks throughout the year. Dancing is obviously a great way to rejuvenate the mind and body at every age, and doing it to beautiful music with enthusiastic locals only seals the deal. The classes begin on Wednesday October 19th at Petersham Town Hall, 2pm – 4pm. To register, call 9335 2143.
107 Crystal Street, Petersham, free
