Speakeasy Live With The Big ‘R’ October 2025
Led by Bristol’s best dressed drummer – Richie Paradise
The Cherwell School North Site, Marston Ferry Road, Oxford, OX2 7EE
Saturday 18th October 2025. 8:00pm – 11:00pm
Live Jazz Swing music, social dancing, free parking
Members £22.50
Non-Members & Guests £27.00
Summertown Speakeasy Live With The Big ‘R’ October 2025
Speakeasy Live Entertainment Featuring The Big ‘R’
Speakeasy Live is back for another live performance of Jazz Swing music. The program of events we have for Autumn is very special. Most Importantly, it features one of the hardest working and most in demand Jazz Swing Big Bands.
The Big ‘R’ will play live throughout the night on Saturday 18th October 2025. Led by the man himself, Richie Paradise. This is the man known as Bristol’s best dressed Drummer (complete with sock suspenders!). It is our second Speakeasy Live event this year and the second time we bring an amazing Big Band Orchestra to The Speakeasy Stage. Consequently, this promises to be a night to remember. As a result, we recommend buying your tickets early. Also get your dancing shoes ready for a great night of Big Band Jazz Swing and social dancing.
The Big ‘R’ are an 16-piece, Bristol-based, jazz orchestra. They sound as if they stepped straight out the Savoy Ballroom in New York. They have a self confessed eye for dance charts and describe themselves as The Facilitators of Swing. Consequently this makes them one of the most exciting dance bands around with a unique relationship to the dance floor as they play. Finally the band read the dance floor as they go and adapt their set accordingly. As a result, this makes their live performance something very special and never to be missed.
It’s all about the Jazz Swing Rhythm
The Big ‘R’ understand tempo and how it affects the choices for dancers. Foxtrot, Lindy Hop, Quickstep and Balboa all have their own sweet spots in tempo. Consequently Big R ensure they deliver what the dancers want and respond to. This means that no two sets are the same. In addition, the band put a lot of work into preparing each set as a unique dance experience. For us they are going for that Lindy Hop Savoy sound to Summertown Speakeasy Live. They headlined the Saturday night at The 2023 Oxford Swing Festival and were also one half of the Battle of The Bands on Saturday at Oxford Lindy Exchange 2024. we are very proud and deeply honoured to welcome them to the Speakeasy Stage for what promises to be one of Oxford’s live music highlights of the year.
You can read more about The Big ‘R’ and watch some film reels on their website.
Ticket prices & Box Office
Tickets are available on the links below and also at our classes and other events.
https://swingdancesummertown.co.uk/event/speakeasy-live-with-the-big-r-october-2025-18-10-2025/
As with everything we do, Summertown Members receive a discount and so we have 2 ticket prices, one for Members (£22.50) and one for Non-Members (£27.00). Anyone can become a member at any time for £30 per year, and that means you will enjoy the members price at all our classes and dance events. Membership is definitely worth it if you plan to visit us regualrly and makes everything cheaper.
Members enter their Membership number when purchasing tickets. If you are buying both NOn-Member and Member tickets together, click on the third option below and that will enable you to add both ticket types ready for checkout. As always, please do let us know if there are any problems or if you have questions.
What you get for your money at Speakeasy Live With The Big ‘R’ October 2025
The Big ‘R’ will play 2 full sets of live music throughout the night. They may even do an encore if you shout and cheer loudly enough!
There is free parking for everyone at the venue which helps to keep the cost of the night down.
Another main feature of The Speakeasy is our enormous wooden dance floor which invites social dancing all night. Lindy Hop, Swing and Ballroom styles of partnered dances are all welcome on our dance floor as we play Big Band Jazz Swing all through the evening.
Our generous nibbles table includes snacks and refreshments such as cake, dips, and all manner of munch-ables included in the price. We also provide tea, coffee and squash to keep everyone hydrated. You are free to bring in any other refreshments with you if there is anything else you want.
The Summertown Speakeasy DJs
Our Djs will be at work before the band take the stage and during the brakes. They will be playing complimentary music at Jazz Swing Tempos that will keep your feet jumping through the night.
Whilst we can’t promise you a purpose built Art Deco Ballroom (most of them were demolished years ago!) we have gone to every length to create the vibe of the great ballrooms of the past. Central to this is our specially made art deco lighting that provides vintage glamour to the evening. They sit across the stage. We also set art deco table lamps on all our tables in the seated area which combine with black table cloths and freshly cut flowers. It gives a shadowy glamour that evokes the ballrooms of the past. Our aim is to evoke as much of an atmosphere as possible whilst keeping our prices as low as we can. It is all there for you to enjoy as part of your evening of entertainment with us.
Refreshments at The Speakeasy Live With The Big ‘R’ October 2025
Your entry price include our generous Nibbles Table. It is stocked with snacks & refreshments. These include Tea, Coffee and Squash. If you are hungry it also includes cheeses, dips, fresh vegetables (for the dips), crackers, cakes and other delicious munch-ables. These are all included with your entry price and you are free to help yourselves in the cafe area which is at the back of the venue.
Speakeasy Sound System and Technical Setup
The stage overlooks the dance floor and provides a professional PA system through which the band will be amplified to provide perfect sound for your dancing pleasure.
Another feature is our giant projector screen showing an ambient film presentation when the band is not playing.
Free Car Parking For All at Speakeasy Live With The Big ‘R’ October 2025
Our venue provides free off-road car parking at the venue for everyone. As a result this makes the evening much more affordable than other venues in Oxford.
Like everything we do, Summertown Members receive discounted tickets but we set prices so that your non-dancing guests and partners will still receive a competitive package for the evening. We want this to be for everyone!
Come join us at Speakeasy Live with The Cutting Edge Big Band for a special evening of Big Band Jazz Swing and social dancing.
Tickets are now on-sale online from our website
If you would like to reserve a table (8 people minimum) we are happy to do this for you. Please email us and let us know how many are in your party and we can reserve it for you.
We do not have a license for a cash bar at The Summertown Speakeasy Live. You are welcome to bring in any other refreshments you wish. We will provide complimentary coffee, tea and squash alongside all our other refreshments on the nibbles table.
Our DJs will be on hand at the beginning of the evening and during the band’s breaks to provide non-stop Jazz Swing music throughout the night. Therefore there will be no point when music is not playing. You are encouraged to take advantage of our huge dance floor throughout the evening which is perfect for Ballroom and Swing dancers. You can read more about The Summertown Speakeasy on the link below. Buy your tickets now.
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