Celebrate Doors Open London 2025 with a one-of-a-kind Swing Dance Party! Explore local history through the joy of movement, learn the basics in Lindy Hop and West Coast Swing, then show off your new steps at a live dance party featuring live music by The Bettys.
Date: Saturday, September 20, 2025
Time: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Location: Queens Park. 925 Dundas St, London ON (outside Western Fair Market)
Admission: FREE
Bring: water, sunscreen, a picnic blanket or lawn chair
This exciting event is part of the Audrey (Peck) Varty Legacy Series, honouring the traditions of swing dance and the social dances that brought people together in the 1920s and 30s.
Event Schedule
10:00 AM – Dance Demo & Storytelling
10:30 AM – Swing Workshop
11:00 AM – Dance Party with The Bettys
12:00 PM – Dance Demo & Storytelling
12:30 PM – Swing Workshop
1:00 PM – Dance Party with The Bettys
In the 1930s Audrey Peck and her friends spent many evenings dancing the night away to the sounds of Big Bands. It was on such a night that she was swept off her feet by the dancing skills of her future husband.
Now, her legacy continues with an afternoon of history, movement, and music for the entire community.
“Many people can trace their family history to connections made on a dance floor. Come try the dances that made my grandparents fall in love, and learn how these classic moves shaped the dances of future generations.”
-Bizz Varty, Director, Centre of Movement Arts
Audrey Peck and Doug Varty went on their first date to a dance at Wonderland Gardens, in the summer of 1938, when Audrey was 22 and Doug was 28. Some of Audrey’s friends knew some of Doug’s, and so they were introduced. Doug was an excellent dancer and a snappy dresser. It didn’t take long after that first meeting before they were going dancing at Wonderland and the Hotel London, and some other hotspots. They were married in December 27, 1941.