Event Information

Download in PDF format

Welcome to Mersey Swing Smackdown 2017! We’re so happy you could join us.

If you have been to any of our events before, you know that we love to have a good time and we are really looking forward to you seeing our lovely city of Liverpool! The Smackdown is a weekend full of dancing, competitions, live bands, sightseeing, and a heck of a lot of fun!

Friday Night

Location The Black E, Liverpool
1 Great George Street
Liverpool
L1 5EW
Time 8pm to 1am
Band Pete Long and the Pocket Basie Band
Theme Represent your scene – Disco Style!
 It’s next to the largest Chinese Arch outside of China, and on the outskirts of Chinatown, home to Europe’s oldest Chinese Community- cool eh?!

There is some free on-street parking available on Nelson Street. There are also spots on Berry St and the roads leading off it.

Otherwise, we recommend Q park Hanover Street or Renshaw Street.

Locally, we’d recommend Maguire’s for amazing Pizza, Neon Jamon for lovely Tapas, the Monroe for posh pub grub. Berry and Rye for a posh cocktail and the Grapes for a proper pub 🙂

There will be a cash bar and water available at the venue.

You can collect your Tshirt and the contest desk will be open.

Saturday Afternoon

City Walk

Led by the lovely Alicia and Naiara

Meet 12pm at the Pump House, Albert Dock, Hartley Quay, Liverpool L3 4AF.

You’ll get to see Liverpool’s most beautiful and iconic buildings, and don’t forget your brolly just in case!

The tour will bring you past the Soul Train venue, and leave you right where the pub crawl begins.

Soul Train Class with Helen

Location Maguire’s Pizza, 77 Renshaw Street, L1 2JS
Time 13:30 to 14:30

(Limited spots are still available for full weekend pass holders)

Prepare for sweaty fun!

Drinks and cakes available to purchase at the bar.

Pub Crawl

Led by the lovely Jo and Pol!

Meet 3:00pm at the Philharmonic Pub, 36 Hope Street, Liverpool L1 9BX

3:30 to 4:00pm The Pilgrim, Pilgrim Street

4:00 to 4:30pm The Fly in the Loaf, Hardman Street

End 4:30 to 5:00pm Hannah’s Bar, Hardman Street

Saturday Night

Location The Merseyside Maritime Museum
Albert Dock
Liverpool
L3 4AQ
Time 8pm to 12pm
Band Pete Long and his Goodmen

Parking – Pay and display in the dock, or we’d recommend Q Park Liverpool 1.

You should definitely check out this area if you get a chance, many museums and art galleries to explore! Don’t forget your coat – it can get chilly near the river.

There will be a cash bar and water available at the venue.

Saturday Night Contests

Prelims

8pm start (prompt) for &lquot;Dance with a Random&rquot; divisions:

  1. Newbie – for those dancing Lindy Hop 12 months or less (in any dance role, lead or follow & any age).
  2. Standard – for those non professional dancers dancing Lindy Hop 13 months or more (any age).
  3. Masters – for those non professional dancers 40 years of age and older.

£5 entry – will be available on the door on Friday

Finals

If you are selected for finals, these will be in the band break around 9:45 – don’t be late.

Team Contest will happen after the &lquot;Random&rquot; finals, around 10pm.

Times are subject to change due to the nature of these things, please be patient with us, we’ll do our best to keep everything running smoothly

Peoples Judges

We need YOU to help us judge! If you’re not competing, and you want to throw your name in the hat- do so on Friday and have a taste of judging our amazing contests!

Saturday After Party

Location The Magnet (basement)
Hardman Street
Liverpool
L1 9AS
Time 12am to 4am

This will be a PARTY!
There will be music of many different styles.
There will be non-swing music.
It will be the most fun ever.

No, but really.

We should have the room mostly to ourselves, but there may be regular revellers present, so to be on the safe side, we ask that you put your bags on the stage (furthest from the entrance) and stay vigilant 🙂

Sunday Tea Dance

Location Lark Lane Old Police Station
80 Lark Lane
L17 8UU
(entrance on Sefton Grove)
Time 1pm to 5pm
Stretching Class 12pm (limited spaces available – please bring your own mat if you have one)

Parking – ample on-street. Or catch the 82 bus from town!

There are many amazing eateries around Lark Lane- Moon and Pea do an extra special breakfast if you are so inclined.

The Old Police Station is a Community Hub, so non dancers may wander in- please feel free to chat with them about our lovely dancing world and if anyone makes you feel uncomfortable, let us know 🙂

Quick Intro to the Team

Normandie

  • Bookings
  • Volunteers
  • Friday Night Manager
 Helen

  • Venues
  • Finance
  • Saturday After Party
Susan

  • Safe Spaces
  • Band Logistics
  • Sunday Manager
 Hannah

  • Band Liaison
  • Saturday Manager
  • Schedule
John

  • DJ and Sound
  • Sunday Manager
 Ria

  • Saturday After Party
Cat

  • MC/Contest Co-ordinator
  • Saturday Manager
 Alicia

  • City Walk
  • Safe Spaces
Pippa

  • Decorations
 Martin

  • Design
  • Friday Manager

Our incredible contest team:
Contest DJ: Laura Knight
Head Judge: Alex Parker

Our lovely stretching teacher: Andrea

Our Amazing DJs: Alex, George, DJ JD, Pol

Our Excellent Volunteers: Jo, Jane, Lucy, Naiara

Our Talented Photographer: Georgie Rastall

The Steps Code of Conduct

  1. Smile and ask people to dance
  2. Don’t be upset if they say no, you are allowed to say no, too!
  3. Don’t touch anyone on or off the dancefloor without being sure it’s OK first, asking is the best way of finding out, and is always appreciated!
  4. When dancing, only touch hands, shoulders, backs and arms
  5. If you bump someone, say sorry
  6. Don’t hurt others
  7. If anyone upsets you, or hurts you, tell an organiser or trusted friend who can talk to an organiser for you.

For further info, please visit http://safetyinswingdance.com/stepscode/

Alicia and Susan will be our points of contact during the weekend for issues pertaining to these points.

Happy Dancing