Anyone out there looking for an adventure teaching swing in Cambodia? If so, consider this...
Phnom Penh Pswings kicked off this past November, with the help of visiting swing dancers from Beijing Swings and Saigon Swings. Since then, we have been steadily growing, with about 20 students taking classes regularly (with an incredible balance of leaders and followers), and a few who join us for our weekly social dance party. Unable to find a teaching partner, I started teaching by myself and that's the way it went for about three weeks. Then one lucky day a lovely young lindy hopper from Switzerland heard swing music while walking by our club and to her pleasant surprise, she found us dancing upstairs. I was lucky enough to have her join me in teaching, and she even extended her NGO contract to help us out for two months.
But sadly, she is leaving. Being a follower myself, I'm running out of "leader moves". And although I can hold my own when it comes to wearing the leader shoes, I still dance "like a girl". I really wish my fellas had a MAN to show them how to lead instead of me.
Now women are also invited to come teach...I'm definitely not discriminating here...not at ALL! But if a man did decide to come teach with me, it would be a dream come true. I'm not looking for a swing romance here, by the way--just a teaching partner.
One other thing I should mention: this is not a big money-making opportunity. I only charge $5/lesson, and locals pay $2.50. This is just the way it is here--people won't pay a lot. So I do it for the love of swing, to create something new here, and because I'm selfish (so I'll have someone to dance with). If you decide to do this, you'll have to find another way to support yourself.
Interested? If so, I'd love to hear from you. Drop me a line and let's talk about swingin' in the Penh.
Originally posted Sunday, March 14, 2010 (2 years ago)
Edited on Sunday, March 14, 2010 9:30 pm (2 years ago)
I suggest you correspond (via email) with the folks in Beijing, Shanghai and Saigon and ask if any of them might be interested in coming out your way to do a workshop for you. If you and your members (particularly leads, seeing as how you don't have a male instructor for that yet) could make an occasional trip to Saigon, Beijing, Shanghai, or Singapore for a lindy exchange or workshop weekend, you might be able to learn enough to solve your instructor problem permanently with local people. I'm sure the lindyhoppers in China and Vietnam will be delighted to help you out in any way they can.
Best of luck! Keep dancing!
(If you don't have contact information/website URL's for the swing clubs in these cities, post again here and I will look them up for you.)
"A revolution without dancing is a revolution not worth having" - V
Originally posted Monday, March 15, 2010 (2 years ago)
Hi Robyn, just wanted to say thanks for posting here and just putting Phnom Penh on the Lindy radar for world travellers to see. Just do what you can to keep the program afloat and stay visible and I'm sure you will attract vacationers who come to see the pagodas but also aches to dance during their stay. And I'm sure they will be happy to exchange moves and teaching tips with you to grow your scene.
Originally posted Thursday, March 18, 2010 (2 years ago)
I could maybe come down there for a vacation, but it would be for max. 1 month because of work. I work in Seoul, though, so it's not so far. Thing is, I've already decided to visit home for my summer vacation, but haven't decided anything about winter vacation. I've been to Cambodia once and enjoyed it, so I'd be happy to head back there at some point. So... maybe?
Your best bet is to get people from some of the Asian swing communities. I just wish there was a site like Yehoodi linking the Asian scenes. You'll actually probably have to contact organizers in each country.
Originally posted Thursday, March 18, 2010 (2 years ago)
Check out my buddy Sinclair's website, he's a good guy to talk about swing and building a community, plus he has links to other scenes in the east and west of you. it's jazzinc.wordpress.com.
Great advice...as it just so happens, I was a member of Swing Beijing for 3 years before moving to Cambodia. I had a big kick-off for PPPswings in November, and dancers from Beijing and Saigon Swings came to help launch it with me. It was thanks to those friends that I found so many students to begin with! A bunch of us just went to VLX last weekend and had a blast, and I did meet some leads there from Vietnam and Korea who are interested in coming here to teach. One of the Beijing Swingers just taught a class for us here last night, and a few of us are planning to go to the Great Wall Swing Out! Are you going, by any chance???
I'll keep welcoming these guest leaders...just thought I would take a chance and see if someone out there is up for a more lengthy adventure.
Do you know Leru from Swing Beijing? She is working on a Yehoodi type website for Asian swing scenes.
Went dancing in Seoul at Swing Zoo in January while "stuck" there on a layover and LOVED it. What a lucky girl you are. The Koreans were soooo much fun to dance with at VLX, too. Wow.
Definitely let me know if/when you are coming to Cambodia!!! I'll be sure to take you up on your offer to teach...
Quote One of the Beijing Swingers just taught a class for us here last night, and a few of us are planning to go to the Great Wall Swing Out! Are you going, by any chance???
I wish! Unfortunately I am back in school, on a fixed income (thank you Franklin Roosevelt for getting Congress to pass Social Security!), and too cash poor to get to Asia this year unless the Lindy Fairy puts something under my pillow.
I told my friend who I accompanied to Shanghai a couple of times about VLX. It sounded fantastic and I am already in mourning for having to miss that. And I expect I will miss the World's Fair in Shanghai as well as Great Wall Swing Out. (le sigh!)
Hoping to find enough work by next summer to be able to make a trip across the Pacific to civilization. Wish me luck! :)
"A revolution without dancing is a revolution not worth having" - V
Yes, I know Leru, and I've seen her website... I've mentioned it to a few people here, too. Still, it'll be hard to get information for it on the Korean side of things. There's not much info in English except for the Facebook group, and that's definitely not ideal for people in mainland China. I really hope that it takes off, though!
Teach Swing in Cambodia!
Hi,
Anyone out there looking for an adventure teaching swing in Cambodia? If so, consider this...
Phnom Penh Pswings kicked off this past November, with the help of visiting swing dancers from Beijing Swings and Saigon Swings. Since then, we have been steadily growing, with about 20 students taking classes regularly (with an incredible balance of leaders and followers), and a few who join us for our weekly social dance party. Unable to find a teaching partner, I started teaching by myself and that's the way it went for about three weeks. Then one lucky day a lovely young lindy hopper from Switzerland heard swing music while walking by our club and to her pleasant surprise, she found us dancing upstairs. I was lucky enough to have her join me in teaching, and she even extended her NGO contract to help us out for two months.
But sadly, she is leaving. Being a follower myself, I'm running out of "leader moves". And although I can hold my own when it comes to wearing the leader shoes, I still dance "like a girl". I really wish my fellas had a MAN to show them how to lead instead of me.
Now women are also invited to come teach...I'm definitely not discriminating here...not at ALL! But if a man did decide to come teach with me, it would be a dream come true. I'm not looking for a swing romance here, by the way--just a teaching partner.
One other thing I should mention: this is not a big money-making opportunity. I only charge $5/lesson, and locals pay $2.50. This is just the way it is here--people won't pay a lot. So I do it for the love of swing, to create something new here, and because I'm selfish (so I'll have someone to dance with). If you decide to do this, you'll have to find another way to support yourself.
Interested? If so, I'd love to hear from you. Drop me a line and let's talk about swingin' in the Penh.
Cheers, Robyn Phnom Penh Pswings site:
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sounds fantastic. I'd love to visit, if not teach, at some point!
Best of luck getting the scene going in Cambodia!
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I suggest you correspond (via email) with the folks in Beijing, Shanghai and Saigon and ask if any of them might be interested in coming out your way to do a workshop for you. If you and your members (particularly leads, seeing as how you don't have a male instructor for that yet) could make an occasional trip to Saigon, Beijing, Shanghai, or Singapore for a lindy exchange or workshop weekend, you might be able to learn enough to solve your instructor problem permanently with local people. I'm sure the lindyhoppers in China and Vietnam will be delighted to help you out in any way they can.
Best of luck! Keep dancing!
(If you don't have contact information/website URL's for the swing clubs in these cities, post again here and I will look them up for you.)
"A revolution without dancing is a revolution not worth having" - V
Hi Robyn, just wanted to say thanks for posting here and just putting Phnom Penh on the Lindy radar for world travellers to see. Just do what you can to keep the program afloat and stay visible and I'm sure you will attract vacationers who come to see the pagodas but also aches to dance during their stay. And I'm sure they will be happy to exchange moves and teaching tips with you to grow your scene.
Best of luck with your program!
I could maybe come down there for a vacation, but it would be for max. 1 month because of work. I work in Seoul, though, so it's not so far. Thing is, I've already decided to visit home for my summer vacation, but haven't decided anything about winter vacation. I've been to Cambodia once and enjoyed it, so I'd be happy to head back there at some point. So... maybe?
Your best bet is to get people from some of the Asian swing communities. I just wish there was a site like Yehoodi linking the Asian scenes. You'll actually probably have to contact organizers in each country.
Check out my buddy Sinclair's website, he's a good guy to talk about swing and building a community, plus he has links to other scenes in the east and west of you. it's jazzinc.wordpress.com.
Cheers, Cody
Hey Racetrack,
Great advice...as it just so happens, I was a member of Swing Beijing for 3 years before moving to Cambodia. I had a big kick-off for PPPswings in November, and dancers from Beijing and Saigon Swings came to help launch it with me. It was thanks to those friends that I found so many students to begin with! A bunch of us just went to VLX last weekend and had a blast, and I did meet some leads there from Vietnam and Korea who are interested in coming here to teach. One of the Beijing Swingers just taught a class for us here last night, and a few of us are planning to go to the Great Wall Swing Out! Are you going, by any chance???
I'll keep welcoming these guest leaders...just thought I would take a chance and see if someone out there is up for a more lengthy adventure.
If you hear anything, let me know! Thanks, Robyn
Hi Littlelisa,
Do you know Leru from Swing Beijing? She is working on a Yehoodi type website for Asian swing scenes.
Went dancing in Seoul at Swing Zoo in January while "stuck" there on a layover and LOVED it. What a lucky girl you are. The Koreans were soooo much fun to dance with at VLX, too. Wow.
Definitely let me know if/when you are coming to Cambodia!!! I'll be sure to take you up on your offer to teach...
Cheers, Robyn
Sure! Let me know if you decide to drop by!
I wish! Unfortunately I am back in school, on a fixed income (thank you Franklin Roosevelt for getting Congress to pass Social Security!), and too cash poor to get to Asia this year unless the Lindy Fairy puts something under my pillow.
I told my friend who I accompanied to Shanghai a couple of times about VLX. It sounded fantastic and I am already in mourning for having to miss that. And I expect I will miss the World's Fair in Shanghai as well as Great Wall Swing Out. (le sigh!)
Hoping to find enough work by next summer to be able to make a trip across the Pacific to civilization. Wish me luck! :)
"A revolution without dancing is a revolution not worth having" - V
Yes, I know Leru, and I've seen her website... I've mentioned it to a few people here, too. Still, it'll be hard to get information for it on the Korean side of things. There's not much info in English except for the Facebook group, and that's definitely not ideal for people in mainland China. I really hope that it takes off, though!
The invitation is wide open!
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