The Music Makers

Birkley Wisniewski
Match DJ

Founder and director of Sugar Swing (2005) and lindy hopping since 2002, Birkley runs his dance business full-time. He is an experienced instructor, choreographer, performer, deejay, and music/band coordinator. Deejaying regularly since 2003, Birkley has a true passion and ear for the vintage jazz music styles of the 1920's through 40's, and has built up a large and diverse repertoire of very fine music. When he takes the floor, he knows how to deejay to the entire audience, while still keeping the most critical listeners dancing.

He was Lindy Bout's match DJ last year, and we are happy to bring him back for Lindy Bout VI! Look forward to hearing some great music both during and in-between the comps.


Battle of the Western DJs
Friday Night

The best DJs from Victoria, Vancouver and East of the Rockies battle it out for your dancing pleasure! The champion wins fame, everlasting glory and a special place in our hearts.

Representing East of the Rockies: Harrison Ayre

Harrison discovered swing dancing in 2002, when he went into a drop-in lindy hop course at the University of Victoria and got hooked ever since. His love for swing music soon followed and began to DJ within his first year of dancing. He moved to Edmonton for school in 2008 and began to DJ extensively in the prairies since his arrival. Harrison's love has always been for big bands, with his favourites being Artie Shaw, Mills Blue Rhythm Band, Chick Webb, Duke Ellington, and Count Basie.

Harrison has DJed all over North America, including Vancouver, Victoria, Edmonton, Saskatoon, Toronto, Ottawa, Seattle as well as other cities. He loves to create an atmosphere that is energetic, balanced, with a specific love for fast music. He can't wait to represent the prairies at this year's Lindybout.

Representing Victoria: Liana Stammers

DJ Bounce needs no words. But here are a few:
Bounce has been honing her style since she strode onto the shores of Vancouver Island after having roped a pair of Killer Whales to ferry her across the Straight from her Mainland home. Between licking rocks and blowing up chemistry labs, she's developed a passion for having fun on the dance floor and instilling her love of swing onto others. As a teacher of swing and science, she's ready to school all her competitors in battle.
After all, you can't stop the Bounce.

Representing Vancouver and the Lower Mainland:
Angie Weddell

DJ Trollop
After sailing around the world, climbing the Seven Summits, deep sea diving the Marianas Trench, DJ Trollop is now turning her efforts to more leisurely pursuits. Dancing and teaching lindy hop & balboa, for instance. Organizing swing events, too. And DJing at such events. She's been kind enough to grace us with her presence at Lindy Bout this year. I'm not saying she'll blow you away, but, well, she'll blow you away.

The Lloyd Arntzen Jazz Band with Professor Smack
Saturday Night Band and DJ

Photo credit: Justin Lee

Performing concerts since he was three years old, Arntzen played the violin at age six and taught himself to play the clarinet in his high school band. Grandfather of "three generations of Arntzen" (sons Tom Arntzen and Leif Arntzen and their respective sons Evan Arntzen and Miles Arntzen — all musicians, naturally), Lloyd was already shaping the Arntzen legacy in his household long before his now grown-up sons could walk and talk. "My livingroom was my rehearsal space. They went to sleep from the time they were babies hearing jazz being played. And they saw what a great joy it was for me to do it," he says.
Featuring

Jen Hodges All Stars with Julia Franta
Sunday Night Band and DJ

Photo credit: David Lai / Hardwood Pinups

The Jen Hodge All Stars are a high-energy group of young musicians performing rollicking hot jazz reminiscent of the Prohibition Era - the 1910s, 1920s, and 1930s - led by bassist Jennifer Hodge. Citing influences such as Bix Beiderbecke, Jelly Roll Morton, King Oliver and Bob Wills, they have a knack for inducing good times and for attracting people helplessly to the dance floor whenever they perform. Featuring trumpet, clarinet, guitar, upright bass, and just the right amount of vocal harmony, the band has an extensive playlist of tunes both familiar and obscure. Their raw energy, evident love for playing music together, and unquestionable talent has made them a popular act in their home base of Vancouver, where they perform bi-weekly at Guilt & Co in Gastown as well as at various parties, dances, music festivals, and other events.

The All Stars are excited to be augmenting their typical 4-piece lineup to 7 pieces for Lindy Bout VI.

Featuring

Julia Franta
Sunday Night DJ

Julia finds enjoyment in the simple things, from finding a really good cinnamon bun to visiting a monorail. Her love of swing dance started in 2004 and shows no sign of stopping. Julia has also been a regular DJ in Victoria since 2010.

Lindy Bout is a Rhythm City Production