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Education

5. Swiss Balboa Weekend 03.-05.09.2010

29.04.2010 by Chris

This year's Swiss Balboa Weekend in Zürich will already be the fifth edition. We are looking forward to a great weekend from Friday 3rd to Sunday 5th September 2010.

There will be two days of workshops with international and local teachers and two parties on Friday and Saturday night.

The teacher line-up: Joana Ekeström & Andreas Olsson from Sweden, Masha Krohina & Alex Gud from Russia and our local teacher couple Ulla Wingenfelder & Tim Kask.

The registration is now open! So be fast and register as soon as possible, preferably as a couple! (Don't use the registration link on this website for the Swiss Balboa Weekend!)

Check out the event website for further informations!

Side note: The regular Zurich Balboa Night on Friday 3rd September, organised by Shuffle Projects, will be part of this event.



Filed Under: Dance, Education, Event Tagged With: Balboa, Swing Party, Swiss Balboa Weekend, Workshop, Zürich Balboa Night

14 Tips To Become A (Better) Swing DJ

23.04.2010 by Chris

14 Tips To Become A (Better) Swing DJSwing DJ'ing is quite different from Club DJ'ing.

Neither do we have to mix the songs nor do we have to scratch. Nevertheless it's much more than just running a playlist!

I often get asked for tips about Swing DJ‘ing. So I have put together this list of 14 tips to become a (better) Swing DJ in a more or less random order.

1. Listen to Swing music

Do it as much as possible: CDs, radio, internet radio, live concerts. Get a feeling for the music. Which songs make you dance? Why?

2. Know your music library

Build up your library steadily and in small steps. Avoid getting large amount of songs in one go. You rather have only 300-500 different songs in your library and you deeply know them. That means being aware of tempo, rhythm and style (lindy hop, balboa, charleston), mood (light, driving, bluesy) and so on.

3. Learn about Jazz/Swing History

Have at least basic knowledge about the history, there are great sources out there to learn from. It helps you distinguishing between different styles, knowing the main musicians of the era, and eventually building up your library.

4. Play SWING

Maybe that sounds weird, of course a Swing DJ should play Swing. Well, I attend a lot of Swing events and sometimes I'm really wondering if some DJs even know what Swing is. It doesn't matter if the song is an old or a new one, but please play Swing music! If you are a beginner: check out my series Song of the Week to get an idea.

5. Feel the crowd!

Where is the comfort zone of the dancers? In which mood are they tonight: high energetic or more laid back? Watch who is dancing. Can you attract the advanced dancers as well?

6. Challenge the dancers

This is very important to me. As a DJ I'm responsible for the dancers. In beginner classes you usually don't learn to dance to faster music. So, where else beginner dancers learn it? You got it, on the social dancefloor. So give them a chance, challenge them (not overwhelm!) and play faster songs even if it's at the upper end of the comfort zone. It was too fast? Don't worry. Play a safe winner to bring them back on the dance floor.

7. Don't DJ and dance

Take it seriously and don't dance and DJ at the same time. One song inbetween, why not, but be focused. Nothing sucks more than a DJ who is the only one dancing because he's lost his crowd. No kidding, it happens!

8. No prepared set lists

Never ever prepare a whole set list and just play it! You won't be able to react to the dancers. Feel the crowd and build your set on-the-go!

9. Only play music you like

That was the main reason why I started DJing. I rarely heard my favourite music on the dance floor. It's as easy as that, only play Swing music you like and your set becomes much more personal. BUT keep in mind, it's about the dancers, not about you.

10. Find your style

This is related to the point above. Why having different DJs when everybody is playing the same stuff. It's boring! Dig for the gems and surprise the crowd!

11. Have safe winners prepared

Some tunes are just awesome and fill the dance floor immediately. Keep some of these songs prepared and play them when you start your set, the energy falls or when the song before was too fast.

12. Know the technical equipment

Have an idea how a PA or mixer works. Why not asking a professional sound engineer or tour technician for help? I once had a private workshop with a sound technician in the afternoon. It was great!

13. Bring your own cable kit

Especially when you don't know the venue, make sure to bring your own cables and adapters, and don't forget your headphones. I usually have a kit with me that includes: high quality cables in two lenghts with golden plated jacks, 3 different adapters, an external sound card and my DJ headphones.

14. Interact with other Swing DJs

Join communities such as swingdjs.com etc. and discuss about music, skills and technical equipment. Learn from the more experienced DJs in your local scene. Don't hesitate to ask for advice. Most of them are more than happy to give you some tips.

Do you like this list?

Did I forget something to mention? Please leave a comment!

Related Posts:

Swing DJ Resources has been launched

Filed Under: Education, Swing DJ'ing Tagged With: Knowhow, Swing DJ

Balboa Mini Workshop in Glebe Sydney 17.04.2010

13.04.2010 by Chris

SHUFFLE BABY, SHUFFLE!

Balboa mini workshop just before “Swing @ The Roxbury” by Christian Bossert – Balboa addict, Swing dance instructor and DJ, directly from Zurich Switzerland.
Learn one of the Balboa Shuffle steps and get an awesome technique to dance to the fastest music!

Where:
The Roxbury Hotel, 182 St Johns Road, Glebe NSW 2037

Date/Time:
17.04.2010 7-8pm

Level:
all, Balboa basic steps required

Shoes:
don't forget to bring shoes with leather soles!

Costs:
AUD 20 (entry fee for “Swing @ The Roxbury” is included!)

Registration:
Not necessary, just turn up. Event is published on Facebook.

Any questions? Please feel free to contact me!

Filed Under: Education Tagged With: Balboa, Dance, Workshop

Shuffle the House 20./21.3.2010 Schaffhausen CH

03.03.2010 by Chris

Marcia Bodenmann und Jonas Maggiori organisieren am 20./21. März 2010 das erste Balboa-Weekend „Shuffle the House“ in Schaffhausen CH.

Workshop
Angeboten werden je 4 Stunden Unterricht in den Levels „Beginners“ und „Advanced“ mit den
Teacherpaaren Alice Mei (F) und Marty Klempner (USA), sowie Ulla Wingenfelder und Tim Kask aus der Schweiz.

Party
Abgerundet wird das Wochenende mit einer Swing Party am Samstag Abend, live mit den „Hot Strings“.

Registration und weitere Infos auf der Website (Link nicht mehr aktiv).

Datum 2011
15.-17. April

Filed Under: Dance, Education, Event Tagged With: Balboa, Live Music, Shuffle the House, Swing Party, Workshop

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Welcome, I'm Christian Bossert. Since 1999, I‘ve been passionate about Swing dances as well as their culture and history. I‘m a Swing dance instructor and international Swing DJ Chrisbe, based in Zurich Switzerland. Read More…

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