|
Between
1991 and 1994, working with Ryan Francois and Julie Oram, and while
establishing a successful career as a copy writer, Sing Lim ran
Jitterbugs London, Londons premier Lindy Hop venue.
Jitterbugs Swingapore began in Oct 1994 when
Sing returned from London. With no permanent home and with the kind
support of Singapore Chinese Girls School, the Lindy Hop community
in Singapore was mainly confined to a small group of friends, but
the interest grew sufficiently to produce a full 2 hour show SWING
OUT for the 1995 Singapore Arts Festival Fringe.
In late 1995, Andrew Vassiliou moved to Singapore
and till mid 1999, he and Sing taught, performed and competed together
not only in Singapore, but also in Australia, Japan and the United
States.
In Aug 1998, Jitterbugs Swingapore found a home
for itself at 78 Tras Street. Fen Tonge gave up a job in personal
banking and took on the full time running of the studio as Chief
Financial Officer as well as boosting the teaching staff.
By
2000, our classes had outgrown the Tras Street studios. New premises
were soon found, at Orchard Point, right on buzzing Orchard Road.
With more than 2000 square feet, we could provide 2 studios with
floor to ceiling picture windows overlooking leafy streets. On 26
August 2000, celebrity actor / director Glen Goei declared Jitterbugs
Swingapore @ Orchard open!
Together
with Lionel Araya (till early 2003), Jitterbugs Swingapore expanded
to include Latin dances - Salsa and Salsa Casino, building more
interest in partner-dancing, as well as Hip Hop and Jazz.
Today,
we continue to develop Jitterbugs Swingapore into a dance and entertainment
lifestyle company in Singapore and the region, building communities
in Lindy Hop, Salsa, Jazz, Hip Hop, and offering performances, social
parties, free classes, and schools outreach programmes.
|