Q: Do I need a partner?

A: For most classes, and all social dances, no partner is needed. In fact, there are distinct advantages to not having a partner - for instance the ability to dance with anyone. During class, we rotate partners regularly so that everyone learns how to dance with everyone else. The main exception to this is performance-oriented classes, where students may be required to sign up with a partner with whom they wish to perform. If you'd rather just dance with the person you came with, that is allowed, but please let us know in advance so we can make note.
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Q: What should I wear to class?

A: Comfortable clothes and shoes that don't fall off. Some people dress up for social dances, but few people do so for class. the important thing to remember is that swing is an athletic style of dance, and you don't want your clothes to feel too restrictive of your movement. Many people prefer leather-soled or slick-bottom shoes, or even a flat tennis-shoe, but not a treaded running shoe. To buy dance shoes and more online, visit www.dancestore.com.
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Q: What are the styles of swing?

A: The most widely spread of swing dance styles that were actually danced during the swing era are Lindy Hop and Charleston. During the second half of the 20th century, many sub-genres emerged, and many names were given to things without much historical precedent. To learn more about this, see the style descriptions on our classes page. Learn more about Lindy Hop at wikipedia.org.
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Q: Which class(es) should I take?

A: If you are new to dancing, you should take Swing 101. If you are experienced in other forms of dance, we still strongly recommend Swing 101, though if you are simply interested in learning the "8 count" rhythm, and are very quick with footwork, you may jump into Lindy Hop 201. If you are an experienced and seasoned Lindy Hopper, comfortable with both "6 count" rhythms, "8 count" rhythms, and some Charleston, you may still have plenty to learn from a Lindy Hop 201 class, or you might be ready for a 301 class, a specialty class, or a Jazz Dance class. If you're still unsure, you can email us with your question or to sign up for a private lesson/evaluation by clicking here.
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Q: How much does it cost?

A: Each month we offer new class sessions based on the needs of the local dance community. These sessions meet once a week, and usually last for either 3 or 4 weeks. 3 week sessions are $30, and 4 week sessions are $40 -- just $10 per class.
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Q: Should I take private lessons?

A: From time to time, most students find it useful to check in with their progress via a private lesson. This can help with absorbing material from a group class, and can help to track your long-term growth as a dancer. In our private lessons, we focus on developing skills of self-analysis so that you can be your own best teacher.
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Q: Where can I find good swing music?

A: Creating your own collection of swing music is an easy, fun way to make working on your dancing more interesting. Following is a list of a few artists and standard tunes that are worth looking into. I'd suggest tracking down these babies on iTunes or eMusic. If you'd prefer a physical copy of your purchased music, you can always search for new & used CD's on Amazon.

Songs - Standards (There are waaaaay too many to list. Here's a few good ones of which there are many, many versions!) A Smooth One, Ain't Got Nobody, At the Jazz Band Ball, Bad Bad Whiskey, Black Bottom (Stomp) , Blues My Naughty Sweetie Gives To Me, Bugle Call Rag, Christopher Columbus, Darktown Strutter's Ball, Diga Diga Doo, Don't Be That Way, Down By the Riverside, Easy Does It, Everybody Loves My Baby, Flying Home, For Dancers Only, Four or Five Times, Good Queen Bess, Honeysuckle Rose, Jumpin at the Woodside, Just a Settin' and a Rockin', King Porter Stomp, Lean Baby, Moten Swing, Night Train, One O'clock Jump (also Two O'clock Jump) , Peckin', Royal Garden Blues, Smooth Sailin', South, Splanky, St. James Infirmary, St. Louis Blues, Stompin' at the Savoy, Sunny Side of the Street, That's A Plenty, Tuxedo Junction, When You're Smiling, Yacht Club Swing...

Artists - Musicians & Bandleaders: (Again, this is hardly a comprehensive list - just a starter kit!) Al Cooper, Andy Kirk, Artie Shaw, Benny Goodman, Bill Coleman, Bix Biederbecke, Bud Freeman, Bunk Johnson, Buster Bailey, Charlie Barnet, Charlie Christian, Chick Webb, Count Basie, Cozy Cole, Django Reinhardt, Duke Ellington, Earl Hines, Eddie Condon, Errol Garner, Erskine Hawkins, Fats Waller, Fletcher Henderson, Harry James, Hot Lips Page, Jack Teagarden, Jelly Roll Morton, Jimmie Lunceford, Kid Ory, Lionel Hampton, Louis Armstrong, Lu Watters, Lucky Millinder, Mezz Mezzrow, Mugsy Spanier, Red Nichols, Rex Stewart, Roy Eldridge, Sidney Bechet, Slam Stewart, Sy Oliver, Teddy Wilson, Tommy Dorsey, Wingy Manone...

More Artists - Singers & Contemporary Musicians: (By popular demand!) Aaron Bell, Anita O'Day, Betty Roche, Billie Holiday, Blossom Dearie, Buddy Johnson, Camille Howard, Dan Barrett, Diana Krall, Dinah Washington, Ella Fitzgerald, Etta James, Etta Jones, Gene Harris, Illinois Jacquet, Jay McShann, Joe Carroll, Joe Williams, John Pizzarelli, Johnny Hartman, Junior Mance, King Curtis, Laverne Baker, Madeleine Peyroux, Mildred Bailey, Mose Allison, Nancy Wilson, Nat King Cole, Nellie Lutcher, Nina Simone, Oscar Brown Jr. , Oscar Peterson, Ray Charles, Ruth Brown, Sam Cooke, Sarah Vaughan, Shirley Horn, Shirley Scott, Slim Gaillard...
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Q: How long before I get good?

A: Swing is a dance style that you can spend a lifetime studying, and always find new things in. That having been said, most of our beginners walk out of the first class with the ability to social dance that very night. From that point on, there is a direct correlation between how much time you spend practicing and/or social dancing and how fast you improve. A student who only attends class but never practices or social dances will certainly improve more slowly than one who does.
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