Glitz and glamour on the dancefloor give MARC WEST a night out to remember at The Junction

From humble roots in an attic in Leeds, Itchy Feet has become the UK’s premier party of all things retro. Its travelling circus has toured the length and breadth of the country from Exeter to Edinburgh – and for the last eight glorious years our city of dreaming spires too – with a mission to relieve the clubbing boredom of the musically enlightened or simply those who just want more from their nightlife.

Instead of the same old top ten tunes over and over again from (let’s be honest) Oxford’s usual dire clubbing scene, these hepcats take time to dig out only the very best finger-snappin’ toe-tappin’ swing, soul, funk and a touch of ska to really get your hips greased.

With “Godfather of Itchy Feet” DJ Count Skylarkin’ on the wheels of steel, this can only be the night to dance like you’ve never done before – as if there’s no one watching. One girl’s even giving it some stick (literally) while on crutches – alongside the Broad Street Dancers who flash mob the floor with vigour.

With the likes of Elvis, Benny Goodman and Louis Prima pumping from the sound system, guys and dolls dressed in brogues, braces and polka-dots rock ‘n’ roll their way all over every inch of the packed-out floor – and probably into each other’s arms after the lights come on in the early hours and the city’s brightest young things disappear into the darkness once more.

The Itchy Feet crew just can’t keep away and will return to Oxford again next Thursday for a Halloween special, so you better start planning your goulish outfit now. Advance tickets are available from itchyfeetonline.co.uk But, if you simply can’t wait until then for your musical fix, why not check out one of the city’s most highly regarded hops. Hosted every week by legendary local promoter Philip Guy-Davis, Famous Monday Blues (or, FMB to its loyal regulars) has been running for over two decades in and around the city and currently resides in Jericho.

  • This coming Monday sees top boogie-woogie pianist Ben Waters and his band visit the intimate upstairs room at the Jericho Tavern on Walton Street for a night you’ll never forget… or maybe not even remember! For all details, visit famousmondayblues.co.uk