Thanks to everyone who came along to the AGM yesterday. We got lots of feedback from people and it was great to dance to live band.

We now have a new Edinbop committee for 2014. The new committee is:

Alison (Ali) Jeffrey
Anna Plant
Sebastian Sandoval Similä
Leigh Anderson
Bryony Jackson
Jack Lavender
Daniel Roger
Martyn Tunstall
Sigridur Vala Gunnarsdottir

Edinbop will soon take a short break for the christmas break… don’t worry we won’t be gone for long.

The last night of Shoe Swing for 2013 will be Wednesday 18th December and we will return in 2014 on Wednesday Jan 8th.

The last night of the Tuesday Night Spoonful will be Tuesday 17th December and we will return in 2014 on Tuesday Jan 7th.

The annual Edinbop cabaret.. a highlight of the calendar every year is close upon us again.
So here’s is some heads up to start your act preparation. Remember anything goes – as long as it’s short!

The date of the cabaret will be Jan 29th. We will also have the bar open upstairs so its the best night of the year to bring along your non dancing friends.

This will be the first year we have had to run elections for the Edinbop committee. It’s great to see so much interest in helping out!

The election will be held at the AGM by blind ballot. There are 6 positions available on the Edinbop committee. Anna, Jack and Bryonny have not completed their 2 year terms so are automatically selected to the new committee. 3 current committee members (Ali, Leigh & Sebastian) will be running for re-election to committee as they have already served 2 years but would like to remain on the committee and we have 6 new nominations. Shell and Sarah will be stepping down from the committee.

To have your vote, simply turn up to the AGM, voting will begin after the meeting with a cut off time of 2pm.
Elected members will be announced online and at the dance.

We will be running preferential voting with the top 6 being elected to the committee. Simply the candidates in order of your preference.

Here are all the nominations for this year’s Election in alphabetical order and a quick message from each of them:

Leigh Anderson

Its been fantastic to be able to bring events like Swing May-hem and workshops with international teachers to Edinburgh while looking after the guest DJs, and taking my first steps into DJing and even a little teaching. The fascination with swing has grown into a full-on love affair and I’d especially like to represent blues within Edinbop – helping to build the community by strengthening connections with other groups and enhancing our promotions; all based on a foundation of classes, workshops, music and social events that bring people together with the best music there is.

Alison Jeffrey

Hi, I’m Ali and I’ve been part of the Edinburgh dancing scene for years and really enjoy it. I’ve been serving as treasurer of the Edinbop committee for 2 years and have been happy contributing to the scene and keeping all our figures together. I’d really like to stay on the committee to help make the transition easier with new members joining and to continue some of the projects we have started already for next year.

Daniel Roger

Hi, I’m Dan Rodger, I’ve been swing dance in Edinburgh for a couple of years now and would like to take a more active role in all the great events that Edinbop put on. I’m fun and bring tons of positive energy to whatever I’m active in.

Sebastian Sandoval Similä

I’ve been part of the Edinbop committee for at least the past two years, but also going to the socials at the counting house since Edinbop’s inception. As part of the committee, I’ve been involved in helping arrange different events, from booking rooms to other logistics, as well as arranging the teachers for the weekly blues classes. It’s been great being part in seeing the scene grow, and I look forward to keep helping that happen!

Crian Shields

I am standing for the Edinbop committee after having been dancing for several years. In that time, as well as being a very frequent attendee at Edinbop nights and events, I have been publicity officer and president of the Edinburgh University Swing Dance Society. As well as the experience in being on a dance committee, I have travelled extensively to dance events, giving me an insight into how other dance societies are run, giving me many contacts, and also giving me many ideas.

My enthusiasm for dance continues undiminished, and I wish to join the Edinbop committee to give something back to the group, and to help the group continue to be amazing.

Martyn Tunstall

I started dancing in January, and have really enjoyed learning and improving over the past year. I’d like to join the committee to give something back and to contribute my own ideas and skills to Edinbop. I think my viewpoint, as someone new to dance, would fit in well with a committee of experienced dancers who have been on the Edinburgh scene longer. Some of my ideas include building our sense of community getting some Edinbop shirts and jumpers made. I also think it could be fun to organise social outings for the group in addition to the dancing. When it comes to getting things done, I’m good at putting my head down and running with an idea, be it mine or someone else’s. I’m a hard worker and I like to see things done well. When not dancing, I teach English in a secondary school, get beaten at squash by my 12 year old son and crank out Led Zeppelin on my guitar.
I’d really look forward to helping out on the committee in any capacity. Thank you for your consideration.

Sigridur Vala Gunnarsdottir

Im passionate about swing dancing and I want to do what I can to help the Edinburgh scene go from strength to strength and I think being a part of the Edinbop committee would be a good place to do that.

The legendary Paul and Christi are running some monthly Advanced Lindy Classes.

The next class is on Sat 7th December November, 2-5. Cost just £6 / £4 students
Calton Centre, Montgomery Street, Edinburgh

No booking required, just turn up!

The fabulous Leigh Anderson and Craig Thomson will be teaching Blues classes every Tuesday during November.

Come on down to the Newsroom on Leith Street for classes and lovely social dances.

This year we’ve got any extra special treat for you at our annual general meeting, we will making it a sunday afternoon dance and better yet we have a live band for you to dance to.

We are happy to announce the  New Phoenix Jazz Band will be playing their swinging tunes for us. You don’t want to miss out this opportunity. Edinbop will be subsidising the event to encourage you to come to the AGM.

When:

Sunday 1st December – 1pm – 5pm

Place:

Cafe Camino Hall

1, Little King Street
Edinburgh
EH1 3JD

Cost:

£2 if you attend the AGM at 1pm and fill out our survey

£5 otherwise.

Pay on the door.

Coming all the way from the Kingdom of Fife, we are thrilled that the fabulous Jason & Toni Roseweir will be teaching Balboa classes in the smaller room at the Counting House during November:
Intermediate class at 7pm

Introduction for total beginners at 8pm

Beginners at 8:15pm

A real treat! This month, the awesome Bob Grasse and Jenn Gamracy will be teaching lindy hop classes at the Counting House.
As always, no partner required, come as you are and have a fun night!

Beginners classes start at 7pm.

Improvers classes at 8pm.

Followed by our super friendly social dancing with DJ Lenny Love at 9pm.

Hooray! It’s time for:
Balboa Brunch – Saturday 26th October at the Wash Bar on the Mound. 11am – 3pm.
Come have brunch, a coffee, a dance, a natter, practice your moves with the lovely balboa folk – a Saturday treat.
https://www.facebook.com/events/522239677829233/

And there are more fabulous Balboa events coming up in Edinburgh:

• Edinburgh Balboa weekend, 1 & 2 Feb. 2014
  https://www.facebook.com/events/467878616641422/ and http://www.edinbop.co.uk/events/edinburgh-balboa-weekend/
• Edinburgh Balboa Exchange, 16 to 18 May 2014
  https://www.facebook.com/edinburghbalboaexchange