The local swing dance community along with swing dancers from around the world will be attending an annual swing dance conference Friday, April 17 – Sunday, April 19. Over 200 dancers will be attending the Fleur de Lindy Exchange, dancing in the streets during the day to the French Quarter Festival bands and at 4 social dance parties with live New Orleans jazz and blues bands, and internationally renown swing music DJs in the evening. Bands include the Loose Marbles, the New Orleans Moonshiners, St. Louis Slim and Friends, Richard Scott Swing Quarter, the Palmetto Bug Stompers, and Meschiya Lake and Erika Lewis.



As part of the festivities, the Lindy Hoppers Fund of America will be sponsoring a community project on Thursday April 16 to assist Gloria Caldwell, the 2009 Recipient of the Lindy Hoppers Fund. Gloria was one of the original Savoy Ballroom Dancers, and has danced to jazz greats all over the world. Gloria's home was badly damaged during Katrina, and the Lindy Hoppers Fund is requesting help from the international dance community to assist with rebuilding Gloria's home during the day. From 9:00 PM – 12:00 AM, the Lindy Hoppers Fund will be hosting a fund-raiser dance featuring live music from The Courtyard Kings gypsy jazz band and DJ Bill Borgida! There is a $10.00 donation.

In addition to the Lindy Hoppers Fund’s events on Thursday, the Jazz Culture & Dance Gathering Classes will be hosting their social dance class. Washboard Chaz’s Palmetto Bug Stompers will play from 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM with hosts Chance Bushman & Shani Brown. This event is free thanks to support from Sweet Home New Orleans and the New Orleans Musicians Assistance Foundation. The final dance of the evening, beginning at 11:00 PM, takes place at the Spirit of St Louis, New Orleans’ newest Thursday night Lindy Hop venue. Tom Saunders will spin 78 RPM Swing records. There is a $5.00 cover.



The final event of the weekend will take place Monday, April 20. The Jazz Culture & Dance Gathering is hosting a showcase featuring a Youth Tap Competition ($100 cash prize!), professional dance performances, vintage videos, guest speakers, and the Treme Brass Band. This event is free thanks to support from Sweet Home New Orleans and the New Orleans Musicians Assistance Foundation.



For more information regarding the Fleur de Lindy Exchange or the Lindy Hoppers Fund community service project and dance, please contact Jayna Morgan at info@nolaswing.com – or – 504-931-5808. For more information on the Jazz Culture & Dance Gathering events, please contact Chance Bushman at nolajitterbugs@gmail.com – or – 504-579-3996.