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Let’s Remember: Arthouse Swing
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Let’s Remember: Arthouse Swing
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  • Dance Styles & Techniques

Let’s Remember: Arthouse Swing

Arthouse Swing stopped running after 2 glorious years. The band miraculously kept it going consistantly for that long but let’s face it; with a band of 20+ people it was never going to be around forever. For those of you that want to know what it was all about below is my blog from the very first event…

After finishing my classes last Wednesday I headed to what I thought was just another dance night in Adelaide. How wrong I was…

I jumped in the car and drove in the pouring rain to Franklin Street and managed to find a carpark within walking distance of the Publisher’s Hotel. I gathered my camera and of course my dance shoes and ran, puddles splashing up against my legs, down the tiny side street to the Published Arthouse.

Once inside the sound of the band filled the air. Trumpets, drums, sax and the smooth vocals of William Parton. I turned the corner and was amazed to find such an expansive space that could be hidden so well from the street.

How can such a big open space feel so warm and inviting? The warehouse was flooded with moving lights of magenta, fuchsia and red, climbing up the walls and across the floor rhythmically to the music. The smoke machine released a soft cloud of rolling fog across the dance floor which was alive with swaying, dancing bodies.

Let’s Remember: Arthouse Swing

My eyes were immediately attracted to the 12 foot walls covered in street art giving the room a special flavour and energy. This graffiti was now lending the swing the kind of grungy, cool atmosphere it deserves to be danced in.

I put my bag down next to one of the many oak barrels and got myself a drink at the bar before hitting the dance floor.

‘April in Paris’ comes on loud and the floor is full once again.

The band plays hit after hit, delivering every classic swing song dancers love and even surprising them with unexpected tunes. They specialize in a swing cover of ACDC’s Shook Me All Night Long, bringing a unique twist to the night. I have a feeling this energetic rendition will quickly become a crowd favorite.

Let’s Remember: Arthouse Swing

Once the band finished up it was over to the DJ who kept the swing dance tunes coming and the dance floor jumpin’.

Throughout the evening, dancers came and went, enjoying the incredible restaurant for a quick bite to refuel. They always returned to the floor for “one more dance. I have not been to a swing event quite like this. Anywhere.

An expansive and talented band sets the perfect atmosphere in a fantastic grungy location in the heart of the city. The friendly faces of the Adelaide swing scene make the experience even more inviting. This is a night that I believe will help to put Adelaide on the dancing map.

But what will it take for this to happen?

Well, we all know the drill by now. A dance night starts up in a pub or a bar and gradually builds momentum over a couple of months. However, as more dancers attend, the venue eventually realizes it’s not making enough money over the bar. As a result, they cancel the night, leaving the dance club searching for a new home.

Adelaide dance community, you know who you are—let’s not let this amazing swing night fade away! Instead, let’s work together to keep it the funkiest swing event in the country!

So, what will it take? It will require lots of dancers attending monthly, bringing friends along, drinking at the bar, and actively spreading the word!

Why not have dinner in the bar beforehand and support the venue that supports live music and dancers? (It’s delicious!)

Let’s Remember: Arthouse Swing


Arthouse Swing ran on the last Wednesday of every month for two years, attracting a lively crowd. QuickSteps members always showed up with their dance shoes on, ready to hit the floor!

Mish xo

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