Bestival 2012

Even innocuous sounding adventures have a pernicious edge. The hot Swing Patrol topic around May/June was Bestival 2012. It was advertised as an awesome party featuring lots of great music, Stevie Wonder headlining, once in a lifetime opportunity, etc. I would join the Swing Patrol team and enjoy free admission pass for the entire 4 day event.

I focused on the teaching to crowds and once in a lifetime opportunity and forgot the rest. And by rest, I mean I didn’t do my research.  After finally saying yes, I discovered I would be on an island surrounded by 50,000 screaming nutsos, sleeping in a tent (no problem, I’m from Colorado), wearing a wildlife costume (huh?), and unsure about my food situation. Fortunately, someone else was providing the tent and sleeping bag, though they decided to arrive a day later than I (lucky Vogue/Hermes gig dancers), and someone else organized a small group to take the train and ferry together.

Still, what was I thinking? I dislike smelly hippies, temporary toilets, and being surrounded by loud partiers. Well, my Denver friends understand my survival mechanisms. Find good food and pack good books. Go fully charged Kindle!

My group arrived in time to do the first Swing Patrol Friday session. Overall, all the sessions went really well. Loz managed the mic first and Scott Cupit took care of the rest. Swing Patrol brought a lot of good energy to Bestival’s Al Fresco stage. So, we demo’d social dancing, the Shim Sham, the Tranky Doo (boo faulty memory), Charleston, taught hand to hand Charleston, gave free hugs, shared raunchy Aussie-isms and kicked electro-swing ass (even blindfolded).

In the end, I was still managing a smile, albeit a deranged one. It was a long four days, but an enjoyable one. I don’t really follow the current music scene, but I follow food and swing dancing, so I made do with this crazy bunch.

For more pictures, find my album on Facebook. And if you’re interested in the food, that review will come later.