Community
Dancing is about people. Partners, friends, family, and team-mates gel to form a distinct dance community, not just within Perth, but across the country and much of the world. For many people this community provides a welcoming and supportive network of peers, mentors, and friends that makes life a lot more enjoyable and interesting. Unfortunately, many people do not even know that such a thing as 'nostalgia' dancing even exists or how much fun it can be! Cool Cats is attempting to change this situation by creating wider community awareness and also by freely providing a variety of services and programs to two key groups we believe can benefit most from dancing: those combatting depression and youth (approx. 15-25yo).
Our goal is that Cool Cats will introduce people to a fun, energetic, and healthy activity that can improve relationships, self-confidence, social engagement, and (from our experience) life in general. |
Rock 'n' Roll & Youth
Dancing provides a number of great opportunities for younger people to engage with each other and the general community.
'Retro' dancing introduces a variety of '30s to '60s musical, dance, and fashion styles and provides a forum for interaction with preceding generations. Association with friends and mentors on a regular basis (in class and at social events) provides social inclusion in conjunction with positive role models and behaviour.
For the more competitive or performance driven, there are a variety of local and national events to train for across a wide range of skill levels. Dancers also have the chance to develop leadership and interpersonal skills as part of a dance partnership or performance/competition team.
We are currently searching for interested schools for our in school educational programs. Please contact us if you would like your kids to dance!
Rock 'n' Roll & Happiness
A picture is worth a thousand words. Dancing is fun! Anecdotally, students often report a much more positive outlook on life after discovering dancing and, with it, friends and an exciting, healthy lifestyle. Clearly, dancing doesn't directly solve any of life's problems (except possibly fitness), but it can provide both respite and support while making changes.
While we place a strong emphasis on the teaching, at Cool Cats we also want everybody to have fun. This includes a relaxed and jovial class atmosphere, but also regular social outings to dances and other 'non-dance' events such as BBQs and the movies. |
|
Participation
If you represent a community organisation focussed upon providing services for youth or promoting mental health and would like to explore how Cool Cats partnership programs may be tailored to suit your needs, please do not hesitate to contact us. We may not always be in a position to meet your specific desires (e.g. availability for workshops or performance at an event), but we are eager to help if we can.
Nathan Major - Studio Principal
MOB: 0415 481 938
Email: principal@coolcatsrocknroll.com
|
Events
It certainly isn't everything, but the following provides a list of major dance events across the country (and beyond!) that Cool Cats might like to attend. If you have a retro dance festival or event that you think we might be interested in, please let us know! |
|
Join the Cool Cats for our FREE! 4Beat Blues introductory lesson! 4Beat Blues is a foundational dance start that can be used as a stepping stone to Swing, Rock 'n' Roll, or Rockabilly. 4Beat Blues can also be developed as a smooth, complex, flexible, and fun style in it's own right and can be adapted to fit a huge range of musical styles!
Remember, apart from the FREE! lessons, it's Rockabilly Mondays at the Mustang (7pm Rockabilly Course). Cool Cats members and class participants have preferred access to the raised section of the bar during the first band set as dedicated practice space. Monday night course participants also get a FREE! drink, so make sure to be there!
For those wanting further incentives, check out the range of value package deals available... |
|
|
The Flying Scottsman, 639 Beaufort Street, Mt Lawley
Defector's Bar: 4pm till 7.30pm FREE entry
Perth's rockin' Sunday session hits the upstairs bar of the Flying Scotsman!
A killer batch of toons, to bring you the wildest selection of rockin' vintage sounds: primitive rockabilly, wailing harmonica blues, jumpin' R&B, crazed black rockers - and a LOT more! Played off original vinyl 45s for the killer sound you expect! |
|
|
Wintersun offers many free and ticketed Rock 'n' Roll events. Ticketed events cost around $20 each. For the official Information Booklet go to www.wintersun.org.au.
Ph:1300 135 847
Coffs Harbour NSW
http://www.wintersun.org.au/index.ews
http://www.facebook.com/WintersunFestival |
|
|
Cooly Rocks On or WinterSun - it's your choice. You'd think there could be some friendlier co-ordination for event enthusiasts though!
The Blurb:
If the outpouring of public support and enthusiasm from locals and visitors is any indication, Coolangatta's new event is set to outshine anything ever seen on the Southern Gold Coast.This brand new event will have the best loved elements of the previous Wintersun rock and roll festival, plus a whole lot more!
Cool Rocks On offers many free and ticketed Rock 'n' Roll events. Ticketed events cost around $15-$35 each.
Multiple Venues, Coolangatta QLD
http://www.coolyrockson.com/ |
|
|
Can't get enough Rockabilly? Greazefest has a great line-up!
The Blurb:
The GreazeFest is the 'must-do' event for kustom kulture devotees in the Southern Hemisphere. Held in Brisbane, Australia, the GreazeFest is a crankin' weekend of cool cars, rockabilly tunes, vintage bikes, lowrider cycles, low brow art, pinstripers, tattoos and vintage threads.
Rocklea Showgrounds, Brisbane QLD
http://www.greazefest.com/
|
|
The Adelaide Rock ‘n’ Roll Festival - November 5-13th, 2011
The plans for the 2011 festival are in place and it looks like a great week of dancing! Cool Cats dancers have been invited to come along for the fun, so if you have any further questions, please come and ask about it in class!
If you feel like a holiday, also check out the other major events in South Australia listed by the Adelaide Rock 'n' Roll Club. |
|
Cool Cats Festival - November 27th, 2011 (12:00pm start)
Vic Park Bowling Club: 18 Kent St, East Vic Park
Calling all Cool Cats! We will be doing it again!!! Come celebrate the end of regular lessons for the year at the Festival. This day will combine our end of year BBQ, free dance, guest instructors, photo ops, and competition! We have prizes to give away, awards to give out, and all successful competitors will receive a "brag" shirt (rather than a trophy) commemorating their success.
Remember, the day is all about having fun! So while we will recognise the best dancers on the floor, awards will also be given for encouragement /most improved, best dressed, and the person/couple having the most fun during the day. So participate and show your friends, family, and other students what you've learned during the year!
For more information please email, or check out the summary. |
|
To find out where the Cool Cats are at: The Update!
For everything else happening about Perth from week to week check out:
|
|
Programs
Youth & Happiness
Dance & Theatre
Educational
Youth Classes
Participants
Programs are currently being offered for 2010. Please contact us if you represent an interested organisation.
Our current partners:
Supporters
We welcome support from anyone who may wish to promote these initiatives. If you think you can help, please contact us.
Helping Hands
If you are looking for more information on youth or anti-depression issues - or seeking support services - please also check out the following websites.
Info Line: 1300 224 636
|
