Swing Dancing

[floatinjoe]

Well, since I came here looking for swing dancing advice, I thought I'd give everyone an update to my escapades.

At the start of the new year, I signed up for jitterbug classes with Jim & Margie of 2togroove located in San Diego. The six-week class went really well. Last Wednesday I had the first class of my lindy session. Knowing the jitterbug sure is helping with those triple steps that I had no luck of mastering on the QM in November.

The exciting news is that last night was their monthly dance. I got to dance with people and it was great. I had such a wonderful time. I am completely looking forward to my next class to learn more and even more so, I'm looking forward to my next dance.

If you don't dance, I'm recommending you try. It's a blast.

Mike

P.S. Now I'm really looking forward to this year's QM.

 

[jitterbugdoll]

It's addicting, isn't it? I've been swing dancing for six years; it is one of my favorite things to do. Glad to hear you are having a great time learning.

 

[lindylady]

Swing dancing is a blast! I've only been doing it for a year, but it has done wonders for me in terms of energy, weight loss, social interaction, and just the joy in dancing to the music we love.

 

[thebadmamajama]

Four years + and it's my passion. There's no better thing. Keep on! Any blues dancers in the house?

 

[SinatraStyle]

I love swing dancing. I used to dance all the time, but recently life has gotten in the way. Sounds like it's time to re-prioritize.

 

[pigeon toe]

It sounds like so much fun! I know my boyfriend and a girlfriend of mine would love to take classes with me, but none of us have gotten our act together yet and actually signed up.

I would love to take lindy classes, but I hear it's pretty difficult (mind you, I have two left feet!). So which style of dancing do you suggest a novice to start off with?

 

[floatinjoe]

I would love to take lindy classes, but I hear it's pretty difficult (mind you, I have two left feet!). So which style of dancing do you suggest a novice to start off with?

Well, this novice suggests if possible to take jitterbug first. It teaches you the basic steps and when you learn the lindy you can concentrate on the more difficult things. Though some might say that you can just go right into lindy.

Just my thoughts.
Mike

 

[ShooShooBaby]

dancing is a lot of fun! i've been lindyhopping since 1998 and have also picked up some shag and balboa along the way.

 

[Hemingway Jones]

.

Hello Mike,
I am learning to dance also. I have six years of catching up to do with jitterbugdoll. so, I had better get crackin'.

 

[jitterbugdoll]

Keep on! Any blues dancers in the house?

Me!

I would love to take lindy classes, but I hear it's pretty difficult (mind you, I have two left feet!). So which style of dancing do you suggest a novice to start off with?

Well, it's hard to say--I learned East Coast swing first, and found it harder to transition into Lindy Hopping later on. But now I can comfortably dance in both styles, and it's no problem to mix them up. I do find that most lessons given before a dance are East Coast style though (at least in Phoenix.)

I have six years of catching up to do with jitterbugdoll. so, I had better get crackin'.

Oh, I am sure you'll catch on just fine.

 

[Phil]

Does anyone know of a place to learn in Chicago that is friendly to 17-18 year olds and thier wallets?

 

[Paisley]

Well, this novice suggests if possible to take jitterbug first. It teaches you the basic steps and when you learn the lindy you can concentrate on the more difficult things. Though some might say that you can just go right into lindy.

Just my thoughts.
Mike

I think East Coast (or jitterbug) is good to try first if you've never social danced (i.e., danced with a partner). I've seen some people have trouble making the transition from six-count dances (e.g., East Coast) to lindy, which is an eight-count dance.

Don't rush the seven and eight. For the first several months when I started learning lindy, I had to count to myself, "one two three and four, five six seven and eight."

 

[thebadmamajama]

ah....this makes me so happy!

I'd say learn east coast first if you can, mostly because it is also used in lindy--there are some really fantastic transitions from lindy to east coast and vice versa. EC is also a great way to catch your breath in a dance that's got a lot of lindy swingouts. That's at least how I learned it--might as well learn it all, eh?!

WOO! Going swingin' on Friday and Saturday after being starved for lindy hoppin' in my small college town. Thank goodness. Ever just feel like you can't stop your legs once the music gets going?!

 

[Amelie]

I've just went back from my 10th swing lesson and I am completely thrilled!! I like it so much!

I think my school have a very special approach, I am taking their "swing series", and am currently in their "swing2 class". so far what I have seen is jitterbug and charleston. In swing 3 I'll begin to learn some lindy as well. I really like the way they are mixing dances ( http://www.studio88swing.com/ )
In montreal there is three (always there) swing nights a week, so it's quite easy to go out, I am lucky (but have really got the time to go so far )

But as I am going to new york in may, I was wondering if there was any good place to dance swing?

 

[Adelaidey]

Does anyone know of a place to learn in Chicago that is friendly to 17-18 year olds and thier wallets?

Hey Phil, as a fellow Chicagoan with a tiny wallet, I know your struggle... I'm at UIC, and they have pretty cheap classes at the SRF (cheaper for students), but I haven't had time this semester between a heavy schedule and a few theatre jobs...

Also, there's a ballroom dance studio a block away from my place that I've been meaning to look into-- if they're reasonable I'll let you know!

 

[Amelie]

oh just thinking of it
did you guys know any real place where I could buy swing shoes in NY ? I really need to try shoes before I buy them lol

 

[Paisley]

Some people buy shoes that are comfortable and fit well and them get them chromed (they have a smooth sole put on). Dance shoes tend to be kind of cheap and don't have much padding or arch support.

If you go this route, get some low-heeled shoes that have laces or a strap (like Mary Janes) so that they will stay on your feet.

 

[Amelie]

oh thanks for the idea! havent tought about that!!
(that said, I still have a hard time finding regular shoes lol)

 

[thebadmamajama]

www.dancestore.com

I've been happy with them for 4 years now. I recommend the flat Mary Janes. The soles are a dream!

 

[Amelie]

yeah I know them, but I was really looking for a real store
I guess I'll have to find a solution by myself [huh]