Swing Dancing Across Asia 2009
by Alain Wong
Earlier this year, David Trinh (a dancer from Waterloo, ON, Canada) traveled across Asia visiting, dancing and facilitating events and classes in Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, Hong Kong, China and Taiwan. Finding himself accumulating video footage and interview notes, he’s decided to create a documentary to show us what’s up in the emerging Asian swing dance communities.
“SEA JAM 2009 in Singapore”, SEA = South East Asia
A few facts about David:
- Owner of Lindyhopper.ca : the Canadian forum for swing dancers
- He operates a professional entertainment business for weddings and corporate events, and has graciously offered these services to dance exchanges and camps (such as Herrang)
- Dance trainer for the Waterloo Swing Crew, a performance team in the Waterloo region
I interviewed David on his objectives for this documentary, and here’s his response: “I’ve seen, lived and experienced the incredible energy in the Orient with swing dancing, so this project’s goal is to inform the Lindy Hop community that there is indeed swing dancing all across Asia, and not just in hot spots like Seoul, Korea. The project would also inspire dancers who are considering moving or traveling to countries such as Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore or other lesser known swing dancing destinations. Finally, I’d like to share my findings and experiences and show that swing communities are waiting to embrace dancers from anywhere.”
Here’s a symbolic picture taken during David’s trip.
“This was the first time, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Vietnam’s swing troupe all got together and performed the california routine at SEAJAM. This picture was the pep talk I gave the 10 couples who were just about to hit the stage. To them, it was one of the most memorable performance experience in their lives. For me, it captures the spirit of these new and emerging swing dance communities.”
Swing Dancing Across Asia 2009 is a wonderful project that shows that swing dancing knows no borders, race or age and that it brings joy to all who participate. So feel free to send questions or info directly to Dave at davidtrinh@lindyhopper.ca to help him with this documentary. As well, you can join his Facebook group Swing Dancing Across Asia 2009 to keep updated on the project.
[...] If not, David Trinh, the Canadian who dropped in on us in Feb, is also talking swing in Asia over at Lindybloggers.com. Look for all the Malaysians in the SEAJam pic! http://www.lindybloggers.com/2009/07/09/swing-dancing-across-asia-2009/ [...]