The Sydney Swing Katz either attend or perform at almost any and every “50s” nostalgia festival, but they said “Elvis has to be the biggest and most fun festival we attend.”
The Sydney Swing Katz are a professional dance troupe who dance and perform 40s and 50s style dances. At the ages of 17 and 18 respectively, in January 2020, the Sydney Swing Katz officially started their dance troupe with just four members.
Years later, the troupe has grown significantly and still enjoys performing together, always taking the opportunity to encourage the vintage style to bright young talent.
The Sydney Swing Katz love performing at The Parkes Elvis Festival and have been coming back every year since 2019.
Justin Agustino Dipaola, one of the founding members of the troupe said that The Parkes Elvis Festival is “Easily one of the most fun, carefree, unique festivals running in NSW. Plus we have made good friends with the locals and the volunteers, they are always a highlight too.”
“The crowd plays a significant role in how we perform. The dancers will lift the energy and intensity as the crowd does, it’s this circular concept of the more they give the more we will too.”
There is an incredible amount of time and effort that goes into preparing such amazing and energetic dance routines.
“We usually train 3 days a week all year round, but for Parkes specifically we start creating ideas, costumes and routines in September, and the really serious training starts four to six weeks out when we try to fine tune everything and get fitter to perform in the Parkes heat,” said Justin.
The Sydney Swing Kats will be performing at the Amazing Forbes Street Breakfast again this year. Arrive early to see the troupe perform at 7.30am and in a more casual set around 9am. Otherwise you can catch them in Parkes on Friday, Memphis Stage 1.40pm and Main Stage 2pm. Then on Saturday, Memphis Stage 12.30pm and Main Stage 3pm.