Featuring music from the 30s, 40s and 50s – including jazz, swing, rock n roll, and some r&b – as a new series of dance classes begin at Stonham Barns Park

The Aspal Theatre at Stonham Barns Park – one of Suffolk’s premier leisure, retail and holiday destinations – is set to host a new day of dance for the region – the Jive Generation Dance All Day Event.

The All-Dayer on Saturday 2 September will see dance enthusiasts from all over the region coming together to celebrate all forms of dance from jazz to swing and from rock n roll to cool jive.  The event – for everyone from beginners to experienced dancers – will be set to music from the 30s, 40s and 50s from bands including Doolally Tap, The Big Band Swing Machine, The Rock-Ola Rockets, Station 366 and DJ Simply Swing. 

The festival is launching at the same time as a new series of dance classes for the Suffolk community to promote Jive, Ballroom, Line Dancing, Northern Soul and freestyle formats all designed to introduce people to dance.

Commenting on the launch of the new festival John Chapman of The Aspal Theatre, said: ‘The new series of dance sessions – on our newly installed dance floor – are designed to get people moving and socialising. Anyone can join in, and the choices of dance style and music mean that everyone can find something they like – whether it’s ballroom or jive – we have something for those who want to give it a try.’

Explains Jive Generation creator Sophie Taylor, ‘The Jive Generation Festival will bring together all genres of music with the main aim of getting people on the dancefloor.  Suffolk is a cultural centre for music and what follows music is always dance.  The nostalgia people feel when they hear music from the past has encouraged dance classes to flourish in the region. It’s all about creating memories and learning new dance skills.’

‘Most of the retro dances are so cool to watch and so easy to learn and the styling around them is just surreal.’

Concludes John Chapman, ‘The Aspal Theatre in mid-Suffolk is ideally positioned to be a hub for music and dance and we are looking forward to bringing some fun and enjoyment to people from the region as a new dance community – made up of people of all ages – begins to take shape.  We particularly want young people to join us to find out what sorts of dance types they might be missing out on.’

The dance sessions will take place throughout the summer at The Aspal Theatre.  Visit TheAspalTheatre for all the latest information.

The event will run from 10.00am until 10.30pm. Tickets are available for the day at £26,50, half day £15.00 and evening only £10.00.

Call 01449 516150 or visit www.jivegeneration.co.uk, or email [email protected] or go to https://linktr.ee/jivegeneration