Alley Katz

Alley Katz's cover photo

*** SORRY FOLKS, ITS TIME TO SAY GOODBYE ***
The following will definitely disappoint most and probably delight others.

It is with great personal sadness and a lot of health reasons that we have now decided to call a halt to our dances at Fetcham. Whilst there are too many reasons to list here, primarily following my health scare last year, I have been advised to reduce the stress in my life and this decision goes a little way to achieving that goal.

To our friends I am truly sorry for removing this from your lives, but I know you will understand and support this decision.

To all our loyal followers I can only say thank you for the support you gave, and the vibe you brought to Katz 'a' Hoppin'. You made each one special in every way and we simply cannot thank you enough for all the joy you brought to us.

It goes without saying, but I'm going to. Sharon has been hugely supportive and recognises just how difficult this decision has been to make. I love you sweetheart x

I hope we will see you on a dance floor somewhere soon.

Graham & Sharon x

Intermediate Balboa Course || Alley Katz Swing Dance

*** INTERMEDIATE BALBOA ***
Our workshop is fast approaching and we still have space available. Please share, many thanks Gx

alleykatz.co.uk

Episode 2, Harlem Timeline - BBC Radio 6 Music

*** THE SWING ERA ****
I listened to this program this morning on BBC 6Music. The program gives an insight into music progression in th 30s and 40s through to the 70s And interviews with some prominent musicians of the period. My favourite part was on The Savoy ballroom and its resident band leader Chick Webb and club regular Ella Fitzgerald.

Its only available able for the next 29 days so listen in quick. I hope you enjoy.

bbc.co.uk Soweto Kinch on the gospel tradition, art, music and poetry of the Harlem Renaissance.

Just a few amateur photos from the DJ on what was a fabulous evening. Watch this space to see the pro shots from John Reid and Peter Stockwell.

*** BLOWN AWAY ***

In the light of it being Atomic Festival and War & Peace weekend, we simply cannot express how grateful we are to you all for coming along to Katz 'a' Hoppin's Summertime Swingout. The floor was jumping from start to finish and we were treated to lots of lovely Balboa, Jitterbug, Jive, Swing, and even a bit of S**g.

Thank you to all of you that complemented the music selection, its always nice to mix things up.

A huge thank you to John Reid for doing your usual excellent photographic job, we can't wait to see them. And also it was lovely to welcome Peter Stockwell along to his first Alley Katz dance as well, can't wait to see your photos.

So here's to the next one on 29th September, and don't forget guys the Raffles Tea Dance is on Sunday 16th September, so please show Gwen and all the team your support, it's not to be missed.

Until next time folks, have a fab summer and we'll see you in September.

Sharon and Graham x

And the floor is a jumping!!!!

*** TONIGHT TONIGHT ***
Katz ‘a’ Hoppin’ - The Bank Holiday Bop
We hope you can join us at Fetcham Village Hall from 7:30pm.
See you on the floor
Sharon and Graham

*** LET’S SHUFFLE ***
Such a fantastic first Pure Bal lesson. Well done everyone for making today such a fabulous lesson. You all progressed really well. Here’s to next week.

Such a gorgeous room for teaching Balboa! It reminds me of the Secret Salon so I feel very at home here.

After a relaxed yet productive first class, I’m looking forward to many more sessions here in Headley, with the lovely bunch of people I met today. Thank you to Sharon & Graham of Alley Katz for organising & inviting me to this beautiful spot!

Looking forward to Saturday's
Balboa class with Nikki.
See you all then. x

What a fabulous evening we all had. It was lovely to see so many of you come and have a such a fantastic evening. Here is to the next one in May.

*** WHAT A BRILLIANT NIGHT ***

Sharon and I would just like to thank all of our lovely dance friends for coming along to the Katz a Hoppin’ March Hare Social this evening. We had an absolutely brilliant evening and it was lovely to see the floor jumping all night. Photos to follow tomorrow.

Our next dance is Saturday May 26th. We hope you can all join us for some more fun on the dance floor....

Like we always say, we provide the dance but you all make it so special.

Sharon & Graham. X

*** TELEPHONE ISSUES ***
Just a quick apology, we've been having a few phone issues so if you do need to get hold of us please call 07771877994.

The main number will be backup shortly.
Ta G x

*** MARCH HARE SOCIAL TIME ***
Tonight’s the night folks, if you are looking for the place where all the Kool Katz and Hep Kittens go then the Katz a Hoppin’ is the place to be. Don’t forget your Bunny Ears!! See you all on the floor later..

TONIGHT TONIGHT TONIGHT

I have to say I’m actually really excited about our dance tonight. I’m really looking forward to playing for all our lovely dance friends.

Remember we’re at Fetcham Village Hall, The Street, Fetcham, KT22

Doors open at 7:30and entry is only £7.

Oh and did I mention there is lots of CAKE 🍰

See you all later.

*** New Year, New Format ***

So now that 2018 is upon us, we have made the conscious decision to make a few changes in our format.

So firstly an apology to our regular customers who are expecting to start back next week, however both Sharon and I need to take a bit of extra personal time during January to organise our work and family commitments.

NEW DANCE SCHOOL.
It has always been the plan to have a second slightly smaller school in a different location with the facilities and floor for all styles of dance, and we certainly found that at Headley Village Hall. So starting 31st January we will be running a 10 week foundation class for beginners only from 8-8:45pm at a cost of £60 per person. Please look out for the event details, to follow shortly.

MORDEN FORMAT CHANGE
In line with the new school at Headley we are now going to be mirroring this 10 week foundation course at Morden, starting on the 1st February. However we will continue to run the improvers drop in for all our new and existing customers. The foundation course will run from 8-8:45pm followed by our improvers drop in from 9-10pm.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your help and support this last few months.

We look forward to seeing you on 31st at Headley or the 1st Feb at Morden.

Sharon and Graham # # #

*** NEW DANCE DATES FOR 2018 ***

Hi y'all. We hope all your festive preparations are coming along swimmingly. So after a bit of re-jigging we now have our new dates for 2018. We have also decided that you all loved Fetcham so much that we would hold all our dances there. Have a fab Christmas and a prosperous New Year. We will see you all in 2018. Lots of love Sharon and Graham x

*** LAST ONE OF 2017 ***
So Thursday night is the last class of 2017, and we are finishing up the Cardiff Stroll. So we hope to see you all from 8pm. If you can't make it then may we take this opportunity to thank you all for your support these last 3 months, even if you only popped in to see what we were about. Thank you.

For those who can't make it, have a fabulous Christmas and New Year. Sharon and Graham x

*** We’re Back Folks ***

Tomorrow night is the penultimate lesson before the festive break, and do we have a doozy for you. See you all from 7:45...
Sharon & Graham x

*** DON’T FORGET NO CLASS THIS THURSDAY ***

There is no class this Thursday 30th but we are back for a two part workshop on the Cardiff stroll the 7th and 14th December before we break for Crimbo. Big hugs Sharon, Naomi and Graham x

We have to say a huge thank you to Kim and Matt Westwood, who came along on Saturday night and caught the essence and fun of the evenings entertainment. Thank you so much guys, you did us proud.

*** The Final Tally for this Year ***

So tonight's class did amazingly well and topped up the final tally to just over £500 in the end. Thank you so much to everyone for helping us achieve this donation. As you will see, Jimmy and Michelle, pitched up at tonight's class to join in with the lesson and collect our contribution.

UK Homes 4 Heroes Pride & Passion do an amazing job up and down the country, helping our veterans to get back on their feet, so its good to know our donation will benefit someone in need.

Don't forget Big G is on the decks this weekend at Bojangles Jive for the Battle of the Djs.

So we'll see you on the floor then, but for now thank you ...

*** AND THE TALLY RISES ***

Thanks to all our lovely beginners students at Reigate and the wonderful beginners and inters students at Havant, the tally for UK HOmes 4 Heroes Pride & Passion has now risen to a whopping £474.53, which is just AMAZINGGGG!!!!

So if anybody in Swing Dance land would like to help us make it a cool £500 then please do pop us a private message or give me a call.

We simply cannot thank you enough for your overwhelming generosity. If just one ex-forces member is able to get back on their feet from this donation, then it’s job well done in my book.

Thank you all
Sharon and Graham x

*** HUMBLE IS THE WORD OF THE DAY ***

We finally decided that the charity we would donate to was going to be UK Homes 4 Heroes Pride & Passion. Jimmy and Michelle work incredibly hard, year round, to raise money for those heroes who have served their country and then fallen on hard times. It's fair to say nobody, who has been willing to sacrifice for their country, should have to endure hardship. But where there are those who suffer, UK Homes 4 Heroes Pride & Passion work to bridge the gap, and give those a chance in civilian life.

So after all was totted up, we all raised an amazing £400 for this amazing charity. Needless to say that when we spoke to Michelle this morning, she was totally bowled over.

So a huge thank you to you all for coming along and showing your generosity to help us achieve a great evening.

** THE TEAM **
We owe the biggest thank you to the Alley Katz Team that is Philip & Jane Payne, and Naomi Lacey You all worked so very hard to help us achieve such a fantastic experience for all our dance friends. We are definitely lucky to have you as part of the Alley Katz family.

And finally thank you to Lesley and Tony Coward for bringing Cherry Bomb Vintage along again, and to one of our students Bernard for bringing his Dance Shoes as well.

We are glad that you all had a brilliant time and we'll see you on the floor in January...

Sharon & Graham # # #

So our Remembrance Day Dance was such a huge success and we all raised a staggering amount for Homes for Heroes. We simply cannot thank you all so much for coming along and making it such a fun filled evening.

With all our love, Sharon & Graham x

*** LEST WE FORGET ***

Tonight come and dance your socks off for our heroes. Lots of tea, coffee and cake not to mention some stonking 8 beat tracks from the era to get down to.

We will be donating 50% of the profit to a hero charity to be announced.

I’m really excited for this evening and I daren’t interrupt Sharon, she is way too busy in the CAKERY.

See you all tonight folks x

*** WHAT A BRILLIANT NIGHT ***
Loads of fun was had by all at last nights class so thank you all for coming along and taking part. A huge thank you to Naomi for stepping in, Mrs C is on the mend now, and she looked a lot brighter this morning.

Don’t forget if you can’t make our dance on the 11th and you would like to donate then please just inbox me.

Here’s to next week with some extensions to the tricks we did this week and then lots more turning. 😄😄😄

See you all next week
Big hugs
Sharon and Graham x

YEP Totally fantastic class this evening. Well done everybody that came along. And it was lovely to catch up with some old friends as well.

Lots of 🐒ing around tonight. Loads of fun was had by all.

See you all next week.

RIP FATS # # #

*** BEST BIRTHDAY PRESENT EVER ***
What an absolutely brilliant class this evening. Totally brilliant to see all our new students coming on so well.

Totally brilliant to see you all getting your swag on to then monkey around.

Thank you all for making my birthday such a fun evening.

See you all next week, and don’t forget the holding step on 7.

Big hugs from Big G x

Just some of the pics from last night's fantastic opening night. It's a really humbling experience to know that Sharon and I were able to bring so much fun and happiness to all that came to share in our first night. Enjoy!!

*** Tonight, Tonight ***

Well the day has finally arrived and everything is ready to go. So exciting, if you can we’ll see you on the floor tonight...

*** AWESOME NIGHT ***
What can we say except thank you so much Mark and Dee for letting The loose on your amazing 60th Birthday Bash. It was such a brilliant night, I’ve never seen Cheam Social so packed. Lovely food, lovely company and of course the excellent Memphis Lee and The Creepers playing as well. Simply perfect.

It was great to catch up with Catherine, Emily, Sue and Lee. Oh and what can I say about our Samantha except, well done for getting up on the floor and getting through a whole track in high heels.

Thank you so much, we’ll see you all Thursday.

Sharon and Graham x

Well that was a totally brilliant class this evening. Lovely to see some new faces this evening as well as all our lovely regulars. Lots was taken onboard and there is loads more to come.

Thank you all for your continued support and we’ll see you next week where the adventure continues.

See you all next week.
Big Hugs
Graham & Sharon x