The escalating rioting, and increased verbal, and physical racist violence that we are seeing and many are experiencing first hand across the country and closer to home right now is truly horrific and sickening and truly frightening.

I hope this is something all of you all already understand, but I want to reiterate it today: hatred, bigotry, intolerance, prejudice of any kind has no place at Nottm Lindy Hop (& Jazz, Charleston, Balboa) and will not be tolerated at any of our classes or events or on our social pages or anywhere that we have presence and influence.

Everyone is welcome here and we treat each other with kindness, warmth and respect.

Lindy Hop, Jazz, Swing, all the things we love were created by Black Americans during a period of mass migration, leading to the Harlem Renaissance. Jazz is a melting pot of rhythm and influences from across the African diaspora. It has always sought to build bridges between people and provide a place of expression to relieve pain, give solace, lift up and empower the oppressed and celebrate life. Christians, Muslims, Jews, humanists, people of diverse ethnic, cultures, and countries of origin, genders and sexual orientation, have all made their mark on this art form over the years and continue to influence it today. Is the scene perfect, no, is it working hard to do and be better, absolutely.

What is Lindy Hop? – What is Solo Jazz?

Nottm Lindy Hop’s mission is to be a safe, welcoming and supportive place, to have fun, meet friends, and learn to dance and appreciate swing and jazz music and dance and culture for all people – the heart is part of our logo for a reason – and, in partnership with all who have joined our community over the years, I believe we have been relatively successful at ensuring that is the case to date.

I am not perfect however, none of us are, and despite my many years of experience, I am actively continuing to learn and understand more every day about our modern and historic swing culture and community and the changing world around us, uncover my blind spots and unconscious biases, and adapt and change accordingly.

Please come and talk to me, or send me a message, or even ask a friend to speak on your behalf, if you have any concerns to raise at anytime and I will address them together with you or your nominee (that includes anything I may be doing or saying too). I want you to be and feel safe and happy. Tell me if you don’t. I want Nottm Lindy Hop to keep getting better for everyone, help me continue to do that as best I can.

Let’s Dance!

So, as dancing, in my opinion, really is the best way to (in the words of one of many favourite swing songs) ‘leave your worries on the doormat’ even if just for a little while, come join us and celebrate the best of being human and what collaboration and joy can achieve.

Please all continue to come to our classes and events with openness in your heart and a willingness to keep learning and growing and we will all be better for it.

Much love, always

Lisa xx