As an enthusiastic dancer, I was pleased to be invited on behalf of Barefoot in Luxembourg to La Guinguette de Janette, a retro-themed Swing party taking place at Brigitte in Dommeldange, Luxembourg, and organized by the lovely girls behind Janette magazine.

It was a few hours before the sunset when ladies dressed in polka-dot pattern and gentlemen wearing hats and suspenders, started to stroll towards the event venue.

The garden was decorated with colourful lanterns and a light summer breeze provided a relief in the hot summer evening. With only 20 EUR donation (15 at pre-sale), the guests had a possibility to enjoy an open bar and  fill their stomachs with barbecue or grab something delicious from one of the food trucks bordering the garden. Besides cremant, the local sparkling wine, there was wine-tasting and the bar provided custom-made drinks, specially designed for this particular event. I mixed my own drink at Cointreau Cocktail trolley along with so many other cocktail-lovers who took the opportunity to practise their bartender skills.

While waiting for the people to arrive, I had my hair done by some professional hairdressers and there was also a chance to get guidance in make-up section. Gradually the dance floor got filled with several talented dancers and other rookies eager to learn Lindy Hop steps and Swing style bootie shaking. Live band God Save the Swing together with DJ Mr. Serge were responsible for the rhythm and both of them did an excellent job with their performances. I was also very happy about Swing Dance Luxembourg coming on the stage and holding a short introduction workshop about the basic swing and Lindy Hop moves. It was very easy to follow their example and mimic some of the basic steps that build the frame for the actual dance.

 The atmosphere at the event place was both relaxed and energetic at the same time. Some people had clearly just come to enjoy a few drinks with friends in an alternative environment while the others were dancing wildly as if they had been locked in a cage for a week. The organisers had also been very thoughtful towards the football fans the most eager fans were able to follow one of the Eurocup semi-final match on a large screen placed on the event premises. These supporters also made sure that everyone knew some team scored a goal…

Overall everyone seemed to have good time especially since approximately most of the people were still staying there when I started to head home around 23.00. I enjoyed every single minute of my time there and would definitely recommend this event not only to dancers but also to someone who likes to have a drink with friends, experience something different in Luxembourg or simply just have a reason to wear retro clothes. Looking forward for next Janette event!

Enjoy some pictures!

Jenni Laiho