Victoria Lindy Exchange

Events like the Victoria Lindy Exchange can't happen without help from our community. If you would like to volunteer to make the magic of the Victoria Lindy Exchange happen, please email Maria at volunteer@swingvictoria.net

Pricing

Victoria Lindy Exchange Pricing 2025

The Swing Dance Association of Victoria has a Financial Assistance Fund to help dancers who require financial assistance to attend Swing Dance Association of Victoria workshops and events. If you need to access the Financial Assistance Fund please email us at hello@swingvictoria.net

You can learn about the fund or contribute to the fund here: https://www.swingvictoria.net/faq/financial-assistance-fund

Schedule and Information

*subject to change

Friday May 16, 2025

8 pm - 11:30 pm: Red Hot Swing (not included in Weekend Pass)

Every Friday evening, Red Hot Swing puts on a dance party! Total beginners are always welcome; their drop-in beginner lesson will have you dancing in no time. Neither partner nor experience are required, but pack a spare sense of humour!

Following the lesson, the dance features fantastic live music perfect for dancing the night away whether you’re mad about lindy hop, charleston, balboa, or collegiate shag.

Time: 7:50 pm doors open, 8:00 pm drop-in beginner lesson starts, 8:45 pm social dancing with live music until 11:30 ish

Price: $18 general or $15 for student

Location: Dance Victoria - 2750 Quadra St, just north of Hillside.

https://www.redhotswing.com/?page_id=22

Saturday May 17, 2025

11 am: Ice Cream and Wander Free

Explore Beacon Hill Park. See the flowers, peacocks, and beautiful scenery. Oh and don't forget the ice cream at Beacon Hill Drive-in.

Meet at 11 am at the Beacon Hill Drive-In

Location: Beacon Hill Drive-In, 126 Douglas St, Victoria, BC V8V 2N9

1 pm - 2:30 pm: Mini Swing Session

This class is about nurturing your inner social solo dancer. Lindy Hop is a social dance, but we rarely talk about what it means to be a good social dancer. During this class, we will work on waking up our bodies, listening to music, and showing appreciation. Expect to get a little sweaty in this all-level class.

Doors open at 12:30 pm

Location: Edelweiss Club, 108 Niagara St, Victoria, BC V8V 1E9

3 pm to 5 pm: Afternoon Dance

Afternoon Dance with Live Music from Slim Sandy and the Atomic Cocktails.

Live music: 3 pm to 5 pm

Band Breaks with music from DJ Bailey

Location: Edelweiss Club, 108 Niagara St, Victoria, BC V8V 1E9

8 pm -12 am: Evening Dance

Evening Social Dance with Live Music from Kelby MacNayr's Swing Rhythm Kings.

Doors open at 8 pm with music from DJ Meagan Russell

Live Music: 8:30pm - 11:30pm

Location: Edelweiss Club, 108 Niagara St, Victoria, BC V8V 1E9

12 am - Late: Late Night Dance

Music from DJs Andrew Sanderson and Catie

Location: Solwood Studios, 1303 Broad St, Victoria, BC V8W 2A8

Sunday May 18, 2025

11 am - 12 pm: Audio Engineering for Organizers

For organizers, learn the basics of live audio engineering by Dave Henderson Sound.

Doors open at 11:00 am

Location: Edelweiss Club, 108 Niagara St, Victoria, BC V8V 1E9

12 pm - 3:30 pm: Fireside Music Chat and Afternoon Dance

Join Avram McCagherty, Matt Pease, Don Cox, and Simon Stribling as they takes you inside the music we love as we merge a Fireside Music Chat and Afternoon Tea Dance. They will play some of their favourite songs, tell stories of their lives in music, and take us on a journey deep into jazz! In this class by musical masters, you can expect to learn, be entertained, and celebrate our love of lindy hop.

Unlike previous Fireside Music Chats, bring your dance shoes because there will be dancing with music by your favourite musicians, Avram McCagherty & Friends.

Band Breaks with music from DJ David Boffa

Location: Edelweiss Club, 108 Niagara St, Victoria, BC V8V 1E9

5 pm - 8 pm: Trivia and Chat Free, but please buy food and drinks from the Mint

Come to the Mint for a fun Swing Victoria themed Trivia game (with prizes). Game, meet new folks, and eat good food!

Trivia Game: 6 pm - 7 pm

Location: The Mint, 1414 Douglas St, Victoria, BC V8W 2G2

8 pm - 12 am: Evening Dance

Evening Social Dance with Live Music from The Gentlemen Troubadours, featuring Lloyd Arntzen.

Doors open at 8 pm with music from DJ Catie

Live Music: 8:30 pm - 11:30 pm

Location: Edelweiss Club, 108 Niagara St, Victoria, BC V8V 1E9

12 am - Late: Late Night Dance

Music from DJ Andrew Sanderson and DJ Meagan Russell.

Location: Solwood Studios, 1303 Broad St, Victoria, BC V8W 2A8

Monday May 19, 2025

12 pm - 1 pm: Giro de Jeff Free

Meet for the Giro de Jeff at the Knowledge Totem Pole for a relaxed bike ride and snacks.

The route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/50752060

Miss the beginning or need to find Jeff: real-time location on Maps https://maps.app.goo.gl/Bv68AUQ4qqUNN2GL6 (technology is cool, right?)

If it is raining, the Giro de Jeff will become a relaxed walk.

Location: 501 Belleville St., Victoria, BC V8V 2L8

1 pm - 3 pm: Afternoon Outdoor Dance Free, but please tip the band and buy treats from Murchies

Join us for an afternoon of outdoor dancing on Government Street to the outrageously talented Dave Harris and friends. Dave Harris, the one man band, plus his friends will keep you dancing all afternoon long to a mix of Jazz, Blues, and Rock n' Roll!

Meet in front of Munro's Books to dance in the street and eat some treats from Murchie's.

Location: Outside of Munro's Books, 1108 Government Street, Victoria, BC, V8W 1Y2

3 pm - 5 pm: Survivor Drinks Free, but please buy food and drinks from Whistle Buoy

Walk to Whistle Buoy and hangout with new friends from the Victoria Lindy Exchange.

Location: Whistle Buoy, Market Square, Lower Courtyard, #63, 560 Johnson St, Victoria, V8W 3C6

7:15 pm - 9:15 pm: Red Hot Swing (not included in Weekend Pass)

Red Hot Swing are putting on an extra Monday day dance for the exchange.

Time: DJ music from 7:15pm to 9:15pm

Price: $12 regular admission, or $10 for a student

Location: Strawberry Vale Community Hall, 11 High Street, Victoria, V8Z 1P1

https://www.redhotswing.com/?page_id=25

Getting Around and Locations

Getting Around Victoria

Taking BC Transit? Victoria has a public transit system. Check out the BC Transit website for bus information.

Riding your bicycle? The Victoria is very bike-able, but make sure you lock up your bike carefully as bike theft does happen here. Victoria also has a Bike Valet downtown. Check out the City of Victoria's website for more information on Bike Routes and the Bike Valet.

Victoria has paid street parking and downtown paid parkades, as well as free street parking. Street parking and Parkades can be paid for via the Park Victoria App. Be mindful of the street parking restrictions. Please review the parking restriction signs and pay particular attention to the restrictions. Check out the City of Victoria's website for more information on parking availability and the Park Victoria App.

Event Locations

Dance Victoria

2750 Quadra St, just north of Hillside.

Red Hot Swing on Friday Night.

Driving to Dance Victoria? Dance Victoria has an ample parking lot. This parking lot can fill up on busy nights, street parking can be found in the surrounding area, but be mindful of the street parking restrictions. Please review the parking restriction signs and pay particular attention to the restrictions.

Not included in Weekend Pass.

Beacon Hill Drive-In

126 Douglas St, Victoria, BC V8V 2N9

Saturday Ice Cream and Wander

Edelweiss Club

Edelweiss Club, 108 Niagara St, Victoria, BC V8V 1E9

Saturday Swing Session, Saturday Afternoon Dance, Saturday Evening Dance, Sunday Afternoon Dance, Sunday Evening Dance.

Driving to the Victoria Edelweiss Club? The Hall has plentiful parking in it's very own parking lot. Some street parking is available but please review the parking restriction signs and pay particular attention to the restrictions.

Solwood Studios

1303 Broad St, Victoria, BC V8W 2A8

Saturday Late Night Dance, Sunday Late Night Dance.

The Mint

1414 Douglas St, Victoria, BC V8W 2G2

Sunday Dinner Trivia and Chat. Delicious food and beverages are available for sale.

The Knowledge Totem Pole

501 Belleville St., Victoria, BC V8V 2L8

Giro de Jeff Bike Ride departure location.

Munro's Books

1108 Government Street, Victoria, BC, V8W 1Y2

Sunday Afternoon Outdoor Dance location.

Whistle Buoy

Market Square, Lower Courtyard, #63, 560 Johnson St, Victoria, V8W 3C6

Survivor Drinks location.

Strawberry Vale Community Hall

11 High Street, Victoria, V8Z 1P1

Red Hot Swing on Monday Night.

Not included in Weekend Pass.

Food and Drink near the Victoria Edelweiss Hall

Polka Food Truck

Homemade polish cuisine (Saturday only). White Eagle Hall parking lot. 90 Dock Street, https://www.victoriapolishhall.com/dev/?page_id=199

Breakwater Bistro

Coffee, baked goods, breakfast items, plus full service restaurant. 199 Dallas Road, https://www.breakwaterbistro.ca/restaurant

Discovery Coffee

Coffee and super great doughnuts. 281 Menzies Street, https://discoverycoffee.com/pages/locations

The Bent Mast

Pub drinks and food. 512 Simcoe Street, https://www.thebentmastvictoria.com/

Courtyard Café

Coffee, baked goods, take-and-bake hotel entrées. 463 Belleville, in the Grand Pacific Hotel, https://www.hotelgrandpacific.com/dine-courtyard-cafe/

Heron Rock Bistro

Tasty brunch, lunch, and dinner. 4-435 Simcoe Street https://www.heronrockbistro.ca/

Red Barn Market

Super deli sandwiches pre-made or custom counter. 325 Menzies Street, https://www.redbarnmarket.ca/locations/james-bay/

The Bop

A small Korean restaurant. 239 Menzies St, https://thebop.ca/

Our MC

Elizabeth Blanco (she/her)

Elizabeth Blanco is a swing dancer, actor, and improviser; she is back again for another great year of entertaining and informing you as the Victoria Lindy Exchange's MC.

Travelling wearily from Edmonton, she will be celebrating living in Victoria for 10 years this coming October. One of her favourite things about Victoria (aside from the ocean air, lush natural landscape, and mild winters) is that this is where she found and fell in love with swing dancing. It wasn’t long after she arrived here that she enrolled in her first swing dance lesson, and could be found swinging out at every event in town. She’s excited to meet and dance with you all!

Saturday Mini Swing Session Instructors

Lisa Marks (she/her)

Lisa fell in love with partner dancing in 1998. She’s continued to develop her skills as a dancer and instructor with a willingness to explore movement using various techniques and forms in and outside of jazz.

Her goal is to make every social dance, whether partnered or solo, musical and memorable. While instructing, she is interested in exploring and celebrating musicality, creativity and developing your own style.

She is excited to share what she and Claudia have been discovering together and hopes you will enjoy delving into music, movement and partnering in their upcoming class.

Claudia Nobauer (she/her)

Claudia has been dancing for the better half of her life. The lindy hop is her home and the dance floor is where she comes to rest her feet. Over the past 18 years Claudia has had the immense pleasure and opportunity to learn from Frankie Manning, Dawn Hapton, Chester Whitmore, Anais Sekine, Frida Segerdhal, Joseph Wiggan and countless other incredible dancers.

Claudia’s classes are a mix of rhythm, sweat, and play. Her aim is to help you feel free and safe in your body so that you can express yourself more honestly on the dance floor and in life. Like Dawn Hampton said, “You go to class and you learn the steps, then you get out on the dance floor and throw all that shit out the window and just dance”

Bands and DJs

Saturday Afternoon: Slim Sandy and the Atomic Cocktails

Slim Sandy’s Atomic Cocktails play a mix of swinging Jazz, and rhythm and blues from the 20’ to the 50’s. The Atomic Cocktails are the perfect band for Shag, Balboa, and fast Lindy Hop enthusiasts.

Slim sings, plays guitar and harmonica, joined by Willa Mae on vocals, Bryn Bad on trumpet and cornet, Big Daddy Bo on bass, and Soda Pop on drums.

Saturday Evening: Kelby MacNayr's Swing Rhythm Kings

Rhythm literally is their business. Kelby MacNayr's Swing Rhythm Kings are small but mighty, and ever-changing. They come with a fresh take on your favourite dancing tunes. Get ready 'cause they pack a wallop.... of rhythm.

Kelby MacNayr, Tony Genge, Roy Styffe, and Brad Shigeta.

Sunday Afternoon: Avram McCagherty & Friends, Featuring Lloyd Arntzen

What can be said about Lloyd that hasn't already been said? His father could have invented Jazz, but Lloyd embodies Jazz.

Join Arvam, Lloyd, and Friends as they takes you inside the music we love, as we merge a Fireside Music Chat and Afternoon Tea Dance.

Lloyd Arntzen, Avram McCagherty, Matt Pease, Joey Smith, and Simon Stribling

Sunday Evening: The Gentlemen Troubadours

West Coast’s finest musicians team up to form a supergroup of swing. Drawing on an eclectic and diverse musical background, these masterful performers draw their powers of Dirty Jazz and Big Band Swing stylings from when they were bit by a radio-active Jazz Bug.

Avram McCagherty, Simon Stribling, Joey Smith, and Matt Pease.

Late Night DJ: Andrew Sanderson

You know him and you love his music. A fixture of Victoria's dance scene for over 25 years, he's heard it all. Andrew's passion for music and dancing is contagious and the only cure is more dancing!

Monday Afternoon: Dave Harris and Friends

Dave Harris has been a staple of the Victoria music scene since the 1970s. Perhaps you saw him with the Flying Saucers at Swan’s, as a one-man band busking in the Inner Harbour, or playing with a rotating cast of friends at the James Bay School park through COVID times. He’s been a guest lecturer at UVic for their History of Blues and History of Rock and Roll classes, and he’s published an extensively-researched book about the history of one man bands.

Clothing Exchange

Clothing exchanges are environmentally friendly. It’s sustainable fashion. You’re just exchanging clothes you no longer want for new to you clothes that you’ll actually use anyway.

The Victoria Lindy Exchange will have a clothing exchange. Everyone is welcome to participate.

We just have three simple rules: All clothes must be freshly washed. All clothes must be in good condition. All left over clothes will be donated to WIN (Women in Need Shop)

All Day Saturday and Sunday

Location: Edelweiss Club, 108 Niagara St, Victoria, BC V8V 1E9

Housing and Hosting

Are you looking for housing or can you host an our of town guest? Car pooling?

Check out the Victoria Lindy Exchange Community and Housing!

Safer Spaces Team

Our Safer Spaces Team exists to address your code of conduct and safety concerns in a friendly and compassionate manner. All concerns will be taken seriously and treated with care.

Safer Spaces Team members will be wearing green light up arm bands for easy identification during the event. You can reach Safer Spaces Team members in person at all times at the event. If you have a concern that you would rather handle via email, please reach out to saferspaces@swingvictoria.net

Things to Bring and Consider

Indoor shoes for dancing. We recommend shoes with suede or leather soles.

Water bottle. Stay hydrated.

Towel. Stay dry.

Wearing a mask is encouraged for events. If you are asking a person who is wearing a mask to dance or chat, please ask them if you should wear a mask. Masks are available for your use at events (for free). Note: masks may become mandatory depending on local health guidelines, and what it required to keep our community safe and healthy.

For the safety of attendees with allergies and sensitivities, please avoid wearing strong scents (perfume, cologne, scented lotion) at all SDAV events.

The Fine Print

By registering for this event I agree to adhere to the Swing Dance Association of Victoria’s Code of Conduct

By registering for this event I agree to the Swing Dance Association of Victoria’s Cancellation Policy

By registering for this event I agree to the Swing Dance Association of Victoria’s Covid Plan

By registering for this event I agree to the Swing Dance Association of Victoria’s Event Waiver

We hope you enjoy these photo highlights!

More photos are posted to our VicLx Photo page!

If you took photos and want to share, send them to hello@swingvictoria.net or hashtag them with #viclx

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