Ragtime, Jazz Age & Swing Era dances
with

Nikki Santilli

African-American jazz dances, 1900-1950:
Solo Jazz – Balboa – Lindy Hop – Charleston – Black Bottom
With a long-standing interest in the history of these styles, I compliment my classes
with lectures and discussions to give context to our dancing.
I also try to help develop the art by creating new dance pieces.

Dance Classes

Wednesdays 7,15pm & 8,15pm (Archway)
Saturdays 11am & 12.30pm  (Wimbledon)

See Classes for details & booking 

Solo Jazz

Thursdays 7.15pm (all levels)
In studio (London Bridge)
and Online!

See Classes page for details

 September 2022 – July 2023
Morley College London, Waterloo Campus
Saturdays  3.15pm (level 1) & 4pm (level 2)

Charleston, Lindy Hop & related dances
Sept – March, Social Dance courses (2 terms)
April – July, Performance courses (1 term)

 

Sunday 24 March

PAPER MOON

Hargrave Hall, London N19 5SP
close to Archway tube (northern line, High Barnet/Mill Hill branch)

Live music
Hot House Combo

Guest DJ
AILA BAILA

Book your tickets!
£17.50 Advanced ticket (until 1 March)
£20 standard ticket 

Hargrave Hall
London N19 5SP
*Close to Archway tube. 
Limited on-street parking
*Bring your own drinks/snacks
*Dress with style! 

The History of Authentic Jazz Dance
by Nikki Santilli (Aug/Sept 2021
for the National Jazz Archive
Read Part 1 here >>
Read Part 2 here >>
my thanks to John Rosie for his valuable editing assistance 

Dave Doyle’s review of Rhythm & Book
in the Syncopated Times
(Sept 2020)
Read it here >>

Jitterbugs II by William H. Johnson
Jitterbugs II by William H. Johnson (1941)

Rhythm & Book

March 2020 – June 2021, I hosted a weekly live zoom session where guest speakers or I presented topics concerned with dancers, musicians, literature, fashions and more that made the 1900s-1950s such a rich period in history. Our aim was to define “jazz” as something greater than a style of music and to understand it as a shared culture. Our particular focus was the history of jazz & swing music & dance in social dancing. However it became clear very quickly that the history of jazz was the history of a struggle for civil rights. Never before, perhaps, has a fight left such a rich and enduring artistic legacy.

This ‘lockdown series’ has now closed.



Read Dave Doyle’s review of Rhythm & Book in Syncopated Times (Sept 2020)