Swing Blog

Hullabaloo Hoppers – a farewell

Posted Thursday 21 September 2017 by Perth Swing Dance Society in ,

It is with regret that the PSDS announces the adjournment of the Hullabaloo Hoppers.

As the Perth swing dance schools have increasingly taken on the role of offering local dancers the opportunity to perform the dance that they love for others, it is felt that the Hullabaloo Hoppers, in their current form, no longer continue serve the purpose of fulfilling the desire for a scene lead performance troupe. With declining active membership numbers and the increasing cost of maintaining a performance troupe, the PSDS has decided to suspend the activities of the Hullabaloo Hoppers.

The Hullabaloo Hoppers were an integral part of the Perth swing scene for over 15 years, delivering 100s of performances around the city. Team highlights included dancing live on Telethon many times, performing at Oz Concert in front of 30,000 people in the Government House Gardens (broadcast live on SBS), dancing at various charity gigs, appearing as dancing extras in ABC’s mini-series ‘The Shark Net’ and in the movie ‘Swan Swan’ and regularly performing at their namesake, Perth’s Hullabaloo. The entire team even had the honour of performing at the Melbourne Lindy Exchange in 2004 and many of Perth’s long time swing dancers and teachers were part of the team at one time or another over the years.

The PSDS is grateful for all the members, both past and present, who have helped shape the history of swing dance performance in Perth, who have given their time and passion to the scene, and who made the Hullabaloo Hoppers the institution that it is. The PSDS is delighted that we could offer our scene a place to explore the love of our dance, and share it with others. We thank you all, for everything you have given to the Hoppers over the years.

Pic: 2002 – Scoop Magazine. Early team shot

Pic: 2003 – First paid gig at the Hyatt

Pic: 2003 – PSDS Swing Ball

Pic: 2004 – Oz Concert with Canadian Cossacks

Pic: 2004 – Hoppers perform at Melbourne Lindy Exchange

Pic: 2005 – Hullabaloo performance

Pic: 2005 – Hullabaloo performance

Pic: 2006 – Hullabaloo performance

Pic: 2007 – Hoppers team

Pic: 2008 – Hoppers

Pic: 2009 – Hoppers

Pic: 2010 – Hoppers

Pic: 2011 – Dabelyn Photography, Hullabaloo

Pic: 2012 – Hoppers, Hullabaloo

Pic: 2013 – Dabelyn Photography, 10th Hullabaloo

Pic: 2015 – Dabelyn Photography – Hullabaloo

Pic: 2016, Hoppers, Relay for Life

We will be putting a ‘Hullabaloo Hoppers gallery’ together on the PSDS website to archive the many photos and videos of the team and its changing members, from its early beginnings back in 2003 right through to 2017. A great way to preserve some important PSDS history. Stay tuned…