About Rock A Hula!
Rock a Hula! is an award winning 1950s rock n roll, hula hooping and swing dancing event: for festivals, clubs and private parties created and produced by Jen Walke since 2008 in partnership with super hula hooper Miss Constance Irkles.
Rock a Hula! has been presented at festivals taking place in urban and green spaces across the UK including Norfolk & Norwich Festival, Watch This Space outside the National Theatre, Milton Keynes International Festival, The Camden Crawl and many more. Between 2009 and 2011, it was resident on the third Friday of every month at Bloomsbury Bowling Lanes – London’s best vintage venue. In 2011 Rock a Hula was selected for ‘Coming Up Later’ at the Old Vic Tunnels – showcasing new creative directors.
In September 2009, Rock a Hula! was awarded a Smirnoff Creative Grant of £10,000 to produce a one-off spectacular event. And boy, what a party! See ‘Videos’ to watch the mayhem that ensued!
Between 2009 – 2011, Rock a Hula the night took place at Bloomsbury presenting amazing events showcasing the best in rock n roll/rockabilly/rhythm n blues bands, against a 1950s beach party backdrop complete with hula hooping, swing dancing lessons, palm trees, a Hawaiian photo booth and tropical cocktails. Star guests Nina’s Hair Parlour – the UK’s first vintage hairdressers – are often on hand for preening. Our resident vintage DJs were El Nino (Lady Luck/Black Cotton Club) and Tim from Hellzapoppin’ Club, and we regularly host guest hula hooping or burlesque cabaret performers.
Rock a Hula is available for private party bookings. We provide all party planning, organisation, set dressing & decoration, get you hula hooping & swing dancing, and handpick DJs, bands and performers to your requirements, to throw you a truly unique party where everyone gets to try something new. We know lots of very talented people who will and are open to all sorts of collaborations and quirky proposals and we love a challenge. For booking enquiries contact Jen Walke, Rock a Hula’s Producer, via our Contact page.
Jen Walke also produces other events for festivals including The Fete Encounter (a live performative village fete) and Lah-di-dah -a 1920s exercise class led to music of the era: details available on request.
Rock a Hula! would like to thank Vivien of Hollway for its generous sponsorship over the years of the Bloomsbury club night. Vivien of Holloway sells the best of 1940s and 1950s reproduction clothing, making the world a more glamorous place. www.vivienofholloway.com
In addition, we’d like to thank Hannah Kerr, who worked with Jen to produce Rock a Hula between 2008-2010, for all her hard work as a dedicated Co-Producer.
‘One of the biggest parties we’ve seen outside of a festival’ & Critic’s Choice No.1 – Timeout
‘The most fun you will have all winter’ & Pick of the week’s original nights out - Metro
