Swing East as cockneys turn clock back in Poplar to 1940s Big Band era
![Swinging time back to 1940s at last year's shindig [photos: Rehan Jamil]](https://images.cm.archant.co.uk/resource/responsive-image/3496060/article-lead-image/xs/1/el-26-swing-east-chrisp-st-1.jpg)
Swinging time back to 1940s at last year's shindig [photos: Rehan Jamil] - Credit: Poplar Harca
Cockneys in London’s East End turn their clocks back 70 years to the post-war Swing era of the 1940s and early 50s.
Hot Jive that granny used to dance to... - Credit: Poplar Harca
Organisers are turning Poplar’s Chrisp Street Market into an open air dance next Sunday (June 28) where you can dust off your dancing shoes, slip on your glad rags and join in the hip music your granny used to jive to.
A stage is being set up for the annual Jump and Jive jamboree with Britain’s hottest bands playing a cool and crazy mix of Hepcat Swing, Rhythm’n’Blues and Red Hot Boogie.
Belting out those 1950s Hit Parade blockbusters... - Credit: Poplar Harca
Market stalls are selling vintage and retro clothes, accessories, music and homeware, alongside food and drink including cocktails and real ales.
The family day out also has modern-day face painting and fun for kids, as well as vintage cars — with free parking in the market if you turn up in a pre-1960s motor.
Tomorrow's Retro jivers - Credit: Poplar Harca
You may also want to watch:
Swing East gives a nod to the marketplace itself, created in 1951 at the height of the Swing movement, built as a ‘living architecture’ element of the Festival of Britain, the country’s first pedestrian shopping centre of its kind.
Sunday’s timetable:
Most Read
- 1 Politicians join forces on referendum about Tower Hamlets mayor
- 2 Tackling Covid blamed for yet more threats to public services
- 3 Windows smashed in Extinction Rebellion protest at Canary Wharf bank HQ
- 4 Man, 19, stabbed in Stepney Green Park
- 5 Shoppers queue for bread on opening weekend of new Wapping street market
- 6 Cyclist in critical condition after 'serious collision' in Bow
- 7 Meeting ex-banker London mayoral candidate Brian Rose
- 8 Jailed: Teenagers who left victim blind in one eye after train stabbing
- 9 Refugee fighting £2,850 claim in lettings agency dispute
- 10 Community group founder calls for mandatory ethnic pay gap reporting
12 noon DJ Nel Raiser kicks off.
12.30pm Natty Congeroo & The Flames of Rhythm Killer Diller Jump Blues, Gospel, Hot Harlem Jazz and Savage Swing, fronted by Natty Congeroo.
2pm Devil’s Cut Combo—red hot four-piece beat of authentic early 1950s R&B, Rockin’ Blues and pounding moonshine-soaked Boogie Woogie. Severe hangover guaranteed!
3.30pm Sugar Ray Ford Trio—legendary local boy and giant of Jump, returns to Swing East with his original hip shakin’ trio.
5pm The Nine Gallon Hats—first-ever live performance of this authentic nine-piece Western Swing combo, hot from Sugar Ray’s Vintage studio.
Swing East, staged by Poplar Housing and Regeneration Community Association, runs 11.30am-6pm next Sunday, June 28, with DJ Nel Raiser turning the gramophone vinyl on Blues, Swing and Rock’n’Roll between the live acts.
+++
More details of Swing East online for stall bookings, parking spaces for Hot Rods.
TRAINS: DLR Langdon Park or All Saints.
CAR: Chrisp Street is off A13 East India Dock Road, near A12 Blackwall Tunnel entrance.
