On the afternoon of 1st August, and most weekend afternoons throughout August, Spitalfields Market becomes something rather special.
If you happened to walk through Bishops Square near Liverpool Street Station, you might have found yourself stopping for a moment, wondering what on earth was going on. Music from the Swing Era filled the square while couples danced across the open space. Some people watched for a few seconds before moving on. Others stayed for an hour. A few couldn’t resist joining in.
What are people dancing?
This is Lindy Hop, a social partner dance that grew out of Harlem, New York during the late 1920s and 1930s. It is danced to swing music performed by the great jazz orchestras of the era.
If you’ve never seen it before, you might describe it as:
- Vintage dancing
- 1930s dancing
- 1940s dancing
- Swing dancing
- Jazz dancing
- Couples dancing outdoors
- People spinning each other around
- Fast partner dancing
- Social dancing
- Outdoor dance event
All of those descriptions are perfectly understandable. Most people don’t know the name Lindy Hop the first time they see it.
Dancing beneath the I Goat sculpture
This particular social dance took place beside the I Goat sculpture in Bishops Square, at the entrance to Old Spitalfields Market near Liverpool Street Station. The sculpture, created by Scottish artist Kenny Hunter, has become one of the recognisable landmarks of the area.
It’s a fitting location for social dancing. Throughout the afternoon, shoppers, tourists, families and office workers wandered through the square, many stopping to watch before continuing on their way. Some stood smiling at the edge of the dance floor, while others took photographs or videos.
One of the wonderful things about dancing outdoors is that it removes the barrier that many people feel when walking into a dance venue. Nobody has to commit to anything. They can simply stop, enjoy the music, watch the dancers and, perhaps for the first time, discover that social dancing still exists.
More than a performance
People often assume events like this are performances.
They usually aren’t.
Everyone you see is simply social dancing. Partners change throughout the afternoon, friends meet up, newcomers are welcomed onto the floor, and experienced dancers enjoy the music alongside complete beginners.
The emphasis isn’t on putting on a show.
It’s about enjoying music together.
Why outdoor dancing is so special
Indoor dance venues have their own atmosphere, but dancing outside creates something entirely different.
- The music spills into the square.
- Curious passers-by stop to watch.
- Children copy the dancers.
- People smile at complete strangers.
For a few hours, a public space becomes a place where people from completely different backgrounds share the same experience, even if only as spectators.
Many of today’s Lindy Hoppers first discovered the dance exactly this way – by accidentally walking past an outdoor social dance and wondering what they were looking at. Checkout our next class listings here.
This particular afternoon is put on by our friends over at Swing Patrol. Please go check out their website too and of course to thank them for their on going efforts for making swing dancing like this available to everyone.
“I’d love to do that…”
If you’ve watched the video and thought exactly that, you’re certainly not alone.
Most dancers started with no previous dance experience whatsoever. They simply saw people dancing, became curious, and decided to give it a go.
If you’re based in London and would like to learn authentic Lindy Hop and solo Jazz dancing, we’d love to welcome you at Sugar Hill Hop.
Whether you searched for people dancing in Spitalfields, outdoor swing dancing in London, what is this dance?, or 1940s dancing in London, you’ve found the right place.
We hope to see you on the dance floor soon.
New to swing? Find your level on our class levels page, meet the teachers, or browse upcoming classes.