SWING DANCING
Swing dancing is the umbrella term for a collection of jazz-era dance styles developed by African American communities in the 1920s-40s. The Charleston took the world by storm in the 1920s and has since come to typify the decade, but the most iconic swing dance today is Lindy Hop, which began in Harlem, New York, in the 1930s. Danced in ballrooms like the Savoy, it was a joyful, expressive outlet in the face of widespread oppression and hardship.
As jazz evolved away from the big band sound, swing dancing faded from the mainstream but remained very much alive in Black communities and jazz clubs across the USA. Through the efforts of a new generation of dancers from the US, UK and Sweden in the 1980’s, driven by archival footage and the teachings of original dancers like Frankie Manning, Norma Miller, Al Minns, and Pepsi Bethel, Lindy Hop today is danced around the world today. Whether fast and flashy or slow and groovy, it’s always fun!
Swingtown Rebels focuses on Lindy Hop, but we also teach other swing-era dances – including Blues, Balboa, Charleston (partnered and solo), and Collegiate Shag. Check out our classes page for more information about how to start your swing dance journey with us.
All these styles grew from social dancing, which remains central to the swing scene. Social dancing means everyone dances with everyone, often improvising rather than following set choreography. Partner roles are traditionally referred to as ‘lead’ and ‘follow’, but anyone can dance any role, or both! Christchurch is known for having excellent dancers who do both roles with skill.
LINDY HOP
Named after Charles Lindbergh’s transatlantic flight in 1927, Lindy Hop is a vernacular dance developed by the African American communities in Harlem; blending jazz, tap, breakaway, and Charleston into a dynamic energetic social dance.
Dancers like Shorty George Snowden, Frankie Manning, Norma Miller and Mama Lu Parks evolved and popularised the style, making it a key part of African American culture and jazz and dance history.
BLUES
Blues dancing is also an umbrella term, like swing dancing, referring to a myriad of vernacular styles danced to Blues music. The dances are as diverse as the music but all focus around the core values of connection, creativity and musicality.
Originally danced at house parties and bars, called juke joints, Blues remains a style that must be experienced rather than watched to truly
understand what it’s all about.
CHARLESTON
Charleston originated in the 20’s in South Carolina by the African American community as ragtime jazz was establishing its place as the hottest new sound. It’s become synonymous with the era and is one of the most widely recognised of the swing dances. It is an energetic dance that is danced either solo or partnered.
BALBOA
Balboa developed in Southern California as dancers adapted to packed dance floors. It’s danced in close hold with intricate footwork and is typically done to faster tempos. It’s elegant, subtle, and ideal for tight spaces.
COLLEGIATE SHAG
Collegiate Shag is a lively, energetic partner dance in the South and East Coast of the US in the 1930s. Its exact origins are unclear, but it likely evolved from earlier African American vernacular dances. Shag is known for its hopping basic, 6-count rhythm, and playful style, making it a favourite for fast swing jazz music.
About Swingtown Rebels
Swingtown Rebels is a Christchurch-based swing dance school, founded in November 2010 by sisters Becky Collett and Sarah Cawston with the support of friends and family. Today, it’s led by Alicia Moggre and a dedicated crew of dancers who keep the scene fun, inclusive, and community-focused.
We offer social dancing, classes, and performances across a range of vintage styles from the 1920s–40s, including Lindy Hop, Blues, Balboa, Collegiate Shag, Charleston, burlesque, and jazz strolls. Whether you’re here to learn, perform, or just have a boogie, our goal is simple: to share the joy of swing dancing with as many people as possible.
People often say, “Everyone’s so happy here!” – and it’s true. Swing dancing is energetic, playful, and welcoming to all ages, backgrounds and abilities. With names like “pecks,” “jelly legs,” and “messabouts,” you can’t help but smile while dancing!
Swingtown Rebels also works with and sponsors an Incorporated Society, Swinging Town Manat?p? which was established in 2025 to enable running bigger and better local swing dancing events!
Swingtown Rebels Teachers
Alicia Moggre
Alicia started dancing back in 2010 after several months of attending Swingtown Rebels band nights to watch, thinking “I could never do that” and yet somehow five years later she found herself dancing enough that when a new director was needed for the Rebels she stepped up. She is utterly convinced that social dancing is the secret to happiness in life, and loves sharing the joy of lindy hop with newer dancers (with the aim of getting more people to social dance with). Equally happy in classes geeking out about technique or just enjoying a good vibe, she has dabbled in all the swing styles but her favourite type of dancing is fast.
Nathan Allpress
Nathan has been dancing for years, dabbling in Modern Jive and Salsa at University, but not really hitting his stride until he discovered swing in 2012. He loves Lindy Hop at all different speeds, with people of all different levels – he particularly prides himself on being friendly (ask him for a dance next time you see him down at social dancing!). One feature of Nathan’s dancing which makes him great fun to dance with is the clarity of his moves – this is also extremely handy when you’re attending one of his classes! He takes special delight in seeing people “get it” when learning a new move.
Carla Benton
Carla catches the eye with her personality and sass. She brings her A-game to every dance and teaches you a lesson or two in the school of attitude. Carla spends her spare time teaching Scottish line dances as well so she has slotted right into our teaching team very easily. She has been dancing with the Swingtown Rebels for many years and always carries with her a smile.
Angela Brett
Angela has a natural ability with dancing and came into swing dancing bursting with creativity, style and ideas. She held her wild side at bay so she could learn the basic steps and now that the fundamentals are in place she has an amazing style exploding with personality. Angela is an excellent leader and follower and is currently the leader of our performance troupe this year. She is a pleasure to watch but be sure to ask her for a dance on the social floor!
Cassandra Burtonwood
Cassandra has always loved to dance, but stopped for a while in her teenage years. She rediscovered her love of dance through Swing dancing in Wellington around 2014. In 2016 she discovered Balboa and it blew her mind, and she takes every opportunity to learn, dance, and teach this amazing dance. She also met her now-husband Nathan through Swing dancing, which is what brought her to Christchurch. She is pictured here dancing “Strip the Willow” a ceilidh dance, with Nathan and her wedding.
Lotus Ferguson
Pete Grange
Melinda Hobbs
Melinda attended her first Lindy Hop Class back in 2007 and has been learning, teaching, dancing, and djing ever since. From the driving rhythms of Hot Jazz to the soulful sounds of traditional Blues, when the band starts playing she can’t keep still. So do her a favour and ask her to dance! photo credit Peter Moore
Liz Horton
Liz couldn’t get enough swing from the first class, and she chalks a big portion of that dancing love to the friendly, open-to-newbies atmosphere here at Swingtown Rebels. She tries to embody that vibe, which is why she learned to follow and to lead both right from the start: so she could dance with everyone! Fast or slow, any style, she loves it all, so ask her for a dance!
Jenn Maghzal
After dabbling with a range of dance styles, swing and blues dances were the only ones that stuck long term for Jenn, providing the perfect recipe of inclusivity, community and collaboration. She took her first Lindy Hop class in 2010 in England with Blues following shortly after, starting a dance addiction that would take her all over the world from Europe, the Middle East and the US. The shared and fundamental principles of connection, conversation, musicality and improvisation of swing and blues dances are what keep these dances engaging for her and indeed how they’ve conquered the test of time to endure as living artforms to this day. Having come to partner dancing as an adult, Jenn firmly believes that anyone can learn to dance at any point in their lives if they’re so interested and motivated to learn – “The only difference between me and a beginner in my class is time.”
Molly McGee
Jess McLachlan
Jess came along to lindy from a background in other solo dance styles. This has made her style and solo movement a stand out part of her dancing and gives her a style with real flair. She has competed nationally and internationally although she hates to go upside down.
Dylan Proudfoot
Vanessa Rupert
Vanessa danced all different kinds of dance styles throughout her entire life but got introduced to Swing Dance in 2016. She grew up listening to Swing and Jazz music at home and thus loved the music first. So when she finally found out that there is a dance to Jazz music it was impossible not to start learning Lindy Hop. Vanessa loves improvisation, silly moves and sharing the joy this dance style with everyone else.
Rachel Skews
Rachel has been dancing her whole life, but didn’t start swing dance until her first year of university in Auckland, and (many) years later she’s still going- just now in Christchurch! Lindy hop, balboa, solo jazz, blues, she loves them all at any speed you set her. She thoroughly enjoys teaching, performing, and social dancing so you’ll see her dancing at most every opportunity.