Although the ESDS, like the rest of the worldwide Swing Dancing community, is currently unable to teach public classes, many of us are still enjoying the music and dance we love. Movement and Joy are EVEN MORE important during these trying times, so our team are sharing some of their favourites on our Facebook page.  We’ll put some of them here too, on our Dancing in isolation page.  Stay safe, love each other and KEEP DANCING!

Dear Members and dancers
Our classes will be cancelled with immediate effect for the foreseeable future
In the light of the escalating COVID-19 outbreak, it is with a very heavy heart that the ESDS Committee has made the collective decision to cancel all classes with immediate effect until further notice.
The welfare of our members is at the heart of our decision. Dance involves close contact between people, and we therefore feel this is the right precautionary measure at this time. We know how important dancing is to our community and this has been a tough decision having only previously cancelled classes once or twice in the last 24 years.
During this period of uncertainty, the ESDS Committee will be considering how we can continue to promote the joy of swing dance and support the wider community of dancers, musicians and venues. We will continue to post on Facebook and on our website, so please keep an eye on those.
Above all –look after one another. We may not be able to dance, but we are community who cares. The committee can be reached at: info@hopscotch-swing.co.uk
https://www.hopscotch-swing.co.uk/

For additional NHS advice, please refer to https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

Dear Members and dancers
Our classes will be cancelled with immediate effect for the foreseeable future
In the light of the escalating COVID-19 outbreak, it is with a very heavy heart that the ESDS Committee has made the collective decision to cancel all classes with immediate effect until further notice.
The welfare of our members is at the heart of our decision. Dance involves close contact between people, and we therefore feel this is the right precautionary measure at this time. We know how important dancing is to our community and this has been a tough decision having only previously cancelled classes once or twice in the last 24 years.
During this period of uncertainty, the ESDS Committee will be considering how we can continue to promote the joy of swing dance and support the wider community of dancers, musicians and venues. We will continue to post on Facebook and on our website, so please keep an eye on those.
Above all –look after one another. We may not be able to dance, but we are community who cares. The committee can be reached at: info@hopscotch-swing.co.uk
https://www.hopscotch-swing.co.uk/

Unfortunately tonight’s ‘advanced styling’ class has been cancelled due to teachers’ illness. The “Technique” and “Fundamentals” classes will go ahead as usual, followed by a shortened social dancing session.

Whilst dancing, please remember to observe good hygiene procedures, and look after your partners health and enjoyment.

Please see our Coronavirus page for further advice and information

The ESDS AGM was held on 23rd January 2020 at LifeCare Centre. Here’s a quick rundown of what was covered in the meeting.

What we did in 2019

Classes and workshops

• 6 terms of Lindy on Thursdays, a taster in collegiate shag, 3 solo jazz classes, and an “intro to solo jazz”
• 5 Thursday band nights (one part of Edinburgh Swings into Spring weekend)
• 8 mini workshops including Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 Refresher workshops, and one on solo jazz.
• April workshop weekend – “Edinburgh Swings into Spring”

Guest teachers

• Pippa for shag taster
• Katie and Jamie from EUSDS
• Shell and Tim for Advanced workshop

Events and other stuff

• Regular visits to the pub to make beginners feel welcome and get to know others
• Conducted a members survey to find out what they would like to see us doing
• Introduced 10 Class Pass Card
• Implemented new teaching plan to develop our teachers and enhance the class experience for our members
• Launched new Thursday structure
• 5 Outdoor dancing events
• Members raised and donated £150 to local charity Health in Mind

Thanks to Volunteers

• Thursday volunteers : Alice, Amy, Jarek, Emily, Doug and Karen
• DJs : Minna; Eva, Valerie, Paddy, Lottie, Michael, Niall, Kate and Siggy
• Teachers : Paddy, Katie, George, Migle, Dimitris, Minna; Alex, Lottie, Jane, Vicky, Rhona, Niall and Graeme.
• Committee : Cristina, Vicky; Rhona, Lottie, Niall, Pippa, Will, Emma and Scott.

Plans for 2020

• More weekend workshops
• Winter Swing Weekend 2020
• Plus whatever the new committee dreams up.

Summary of financial report

• Money generated by Thursday classes continues to be our main source of income.
• This income covers our overheads such as hall hire and insurance.
• All teaching/running of the ESDS is by unpaid volunteers.
• Events such large workshop weekends continue to be subsidised for the benefit of members.
• Refresher workshops are run on a break-even basis, but generated a small income this year.
• We continue to donate to charity on an ad-hoc basis (£150 raised for MIND this year)

Changes to the constitution

The meeting unanimously approved the plans that “All Committee members shall be determined by election by the ESDS membership at an ESDS General Meeting. Specific roles shall be determined by the Committee members.”. The main benefit of this is that the AGM can be a LOT shorter 🙂

Committee Elections. 

Karen, Ross, and Jeff volunteered to join the committee to replace those standing down. All were proposed and seconded. Welcome, one and all!