Strictly Seaside Revival

16th May 2024

Photo caption: Gregorz and Edyta Gabrys, who won last year’s Seaside Revival dance contest, will return this year to try and retain their title at the Shim Sham.

Strictly Come Dancing choreographer to host mass Charleston lesson at Bangor’s Seaside Revival Vintage Festival 

Strictly Come Dancing Choreographer Jenny Thomas will host a mass Charleston lesson at this year’s Seaside Revival Vintage Festival in Bangor on Saturday 29th June. 

Run by Open House Festival, Seaside Revival pays tribute to Bangor’s heyday as a prominent coastal resort with a celebration of all things vintage, local, and seaside inspired. Around 20,000 people are expected to attend the annual free event at the McKee Clock arena on Bangor seafront, which this year will focus on the 1920s era, with a jazz inspired set from Bangor musicians Jenna Frazer and Dave Arthur, aka In Full Swing, a 20s themed Best Dressed contest, and that Charleston lesson from Jenny Thomas.

“Bangor was a thriving seaside town from the Victorian era right through to the early 1970s,” says Open House Director, Kieran Gilmore. “For the guts of a century it boasted a successful tourism economy with community at its heart, and for the past decade Open House has worked tirelessly to reconnect the people of Bangor to the seafront and the city centre through arts and cultural events. Seaside Revival is a perfect way to both embrace the things that made Bangor a great place in the past, and help shape its future as a modern seaside resort.”

One of the UK’s leading Charleston and Lindy Hop choreographers, Jenny Thomas has worked on the popular BBC show for several years. Some of her most memorable routines include AJ Odudu & Kai Widdrington’s Don’t Bring Lulu, Faye Tozer & Giovanni Pernice’s The Lonely Goatherd, and Ed Ball’s & Katya Jones’ Gangnam Style Salsa, which was nominated for a Must See TV Moment BAFTA Award. She has also choreographed several dance shows featuring Strictly contestants and professionals, including the 2020 winner Bill Bailey’s solo tour, A.J. Pritchard’s Get on the Floor tour, and The Joe & Dianne Show with Joe Suggs and Dianne Buswell. 

“Dance has always been an integral part of Seaside Revival and of course was once a regular weekly activity outside Pickie Pool, so to have someone of Jenny Thomas’s calibre join us this year is beyond exciting,” said Sharon Matchett from Open House, who both organises the event and teaches swing dance classes herself. “She will take to the stage at 2pm to begin the lesson, which we hope pretty much everyone who is in the McKee Clock arena at that time will participate in. We’re not going for an official record, but we’re certainly hoping it will be the biggest mass dance that Bangor has ever witnessed, and as you don’t need a partner for the Charleston, there’s no excuse not to join in.” 

The event, which runs from noon to 6pm, will also feature live music from The Jazzmeisters and the Open House Festival choir, and a Shim Sham dance contest which is open to everyone. There’ll be a pop-up hair salon and a 20s style photo booth for vintage selfies. Boom Studios will host a Gatsby-style headband making workshop, a revival themed sketch walk, and a street art walking tour, while Seacourt Print Workshop will facilitate a vintage postcard print workshop. There’ll be pop-up vintage memorabilia exhibitions, and a vintage market will stretch from the McKee Clock to the Court House just across the road, with retro food trucks and a pop-up bar. For this year’s Best Dressed Contest, sponsored by local businesses Focus Menswear and Moi Boutique, members of the public are encouraged to look to the 1920s for their outfit inspiration. Think flapper girls, sheik boys, dropped waistlines and white linen suits. 

One of the highlights will be the popular vintage car and bike show in Queen’s Parade car park, where around 130 vehicles from across Northern Ireland will compete in seven best in class categories, including Best Original Car, Best Classic Car, and the new Best American Classic Car. Judging and presentation will take place on the day and all registered entrants will receive an official Seaside Revival commemorative certificate.

Councillor Jennifer Gilmour, Mayor of Ards and North Down Borough Council, who support the event, said: “Seaside Revival is going from strength to strength and Ards and North Down Borough Council is pleased to continue to support Open House Festival to help deliver such fantastic events. Now in its sixth year, Seaside Revival will bring together local partners and communities to celebrate our cultural heritage. There will be something for all the family and it will be a wonderful day out for residents and visitors to our Borough.”

With the popularity of Seaside Revival growing year on year, big crowds are expected to flock to Bangor’s seafront. “The car and bike show alone has become one of the most popular on the NI classic car circuit and Queen’s Parade car park will be closed to facilitate it, but other car parks around the town will be open,” says Kieran. “We’d encourage people to walk to the seafront, or take public transport, especially if they’re coming from outside of Bangor. Get down early and enjoy the day, especially if the sun does shine.”

Full details of the event schedule can be found at openhousefestival.com/seaside-revival