for all things Swing-Jive, Boogie-Woogie, 1940's & 1950's Esther & David  are well known, long-established teachers of swing jive, & also include Boogie Woogie plus some Balboa in their classes covering Suffolk & beyond. 1-evening-a-week courses aimed at beginners, are held weekdays at the venues below. With courses typically lasting 14 weeks, we teach Swing Jive, then Boogie Woogie, followed by a practice session.  On Tuesday & Wednesday, this final session also offers the option of ½-hour beginner followed by ½-hour intermediate Balboa tuition Experienced dancers are welcome to come along to practise, for a small charge. David — a.k.a.  "Texas Tommy"  is one of the few dedicated 1940's / 1950's Swing DJ's in East Anglia, & is available to hire for anything with a 1940's or 1950's theme, including Dances, Private Parties, Proms, Weekend Events, etc.  You can hire just the DJ or the full package, where we decorate your chosen venue with period flags & bunting, to give it that authentic 40's or 50's feel. Esther is an accomplished seamstress, with years of experience in reproducing period clothes for both men & ladies on the 1940's / 50's scene, where she trades as  "Esther's Originals" David & Esther both love to wear period clothes, & are seldom seen out wearing anything modern. for info on clothes, classes, events, or hiring David & his music rig, contact  01473 635176  or  esther(at)cactuspromotions.co.uk     Tuesdays     7:30   Clopton  (near Woodbridge) ~ Village Hall, Manor Rd map IP13 6QW   Wednesdays     7:30   Stratford St. Mary  (between Ipswich & Colchester) ~ Institute Hall, Higham Rd map CO7 6JU   Thursdays     7:30 Syleham  (near Eye) ~ Village Hall, Hoxne Rd (Wingfield Rd end) map IP21 4LT click here for more photos         click here to see Esther having fun ! Events shown with   not hosted by us  … Sunday 26th February  -  Stratford Tea Dance  ( 3 ~ 7 ) Institute Hall, Higham Road, Stratford St.Mary  CO7 6JU DJs  "Texas Tommy"  +  "AV8"  •—•  please note later-than-normal times ! tea, coffee & cakes supplied, BYO drinks, £6 Saturday 3rd March  -  "Badger Boogie" Swing Dance  ( 8 ~ 11:45 ) Village Hall, The Broadway, Silver End (near Witham)  CM8 3RQ DJs  "Texas Tommy"  +  "Look Out Lance" tea & coffee supplied, BYO drinks, good parking, £8 advance, £10 on door proceeds to Essex Wildlife Trust to protect threatened wildlife on Essex nature reserves — contact  01621 862960  or  admin@essexwt.org.uk for tickets Saturday 10th March  -  Stratford Stomp  ( 7:30 ~ 12 ) Institute Hall, Higham Road, Stratford St.Mary  CO7 6JU DJs  "Texas Tommy"  +  "Look Out Lance" tea, coffee & donuts supplied, BYO drinks, £5 [ 31st March ~ 1st April - HEP CATS ] Sunday 15th April  -  Stratford Tea Dance  ( 2 ~ 6 ) Institute Hall, Higham Road, Stratford St.Mary  CO7 6JU DJs  "Texas Tommy"  +  "AV8" tea, coffee & cakes supplied, BYO drinks, £6 Saturday 28th April  -  Thetford Swing Dance Carnegie Rooms, Cage Lane, Thetford  IP24 2DS Saturday 5th May  -  Wetheringsett "All 40s" Dance  (Middy bank-hol w/e) DJs  "Texas Tommy"  +  "Look Out Lance" donation will be made to Mid-Suffolk Light Railway from proceeds … Saturday 19th May  -  Stratford Stomp  ~  as Mar 10 Saturday 16th June  -  Stratford Stomp  ~  as Mar 10 Saturday 7th July  -  Hawaiian at Horham Blue Lounge, Red Feather Club, Horham Rd, Denham (near Eye)  IP21 5DG DJs  "Texas Tommy"  +  guest (t.b.c.) Sat / Sunday 4th & 5th August  -  Dymons Hall DJ  "Texas Tommy" Fri ~ Sunday 10th, 11th & 12th August  -  Stratford Stomp Weekender  ~  as Mar 10 more details soon ...     [ was originally Jul 27~29 ] [ Sat / Sunday 18th & 19th August - Ramsey ] [ Sat~Monday 25th, 26th & 27th August - Twinwoods Festival ~ Clapham, near Bedford ] Sat ~ Monday 25th ~ 27th August  -  Rauceby War-Years 1940's Weekender South Rauceby, Nr Sleaford, Lincs  NG34 8PT DJ  "Texas Tommy" playing  +  Esther on site Saturday 15th September  -  Sheringham Sheringham High School, Holt Road, Sheringham, Norfolk  NR26 8ND DJs  "Texas Tommy"  +  "Look Out Lance"  +  "Muffin Man"  +  "Vintage Rob" Saturday 29th September  -  Stratford Stomp  ~  as Mar 10 Saturday 17th November  -  Stratford Stomp  ~  as Mar 10 Sunday 2nd December  -  Stratford Tea Dance  ~  as Apr 15 Saturday 15th December  -  Witham Swing Dance Witham Public Hall, Collingwood Road, Witham, Essex  CM8 2DY DJs  "Texas Tommy"  +  guests    (possibly a band ??) [ last updated 1/2/12 ] for a printer-friendly list of the above events click  »»   DIARY    (then right-click & Print)