Join us for a beginner swing dancing lesson from 6-7pm, followed by live music 7-9pm from San Franciso’s Hot Baked Goods!

Rooted in African American culture of the early 20th century, swing dancing was inspired by the invention of jazz music, and reached its height of popularity in the 1940’s. The dance evolved rapidly, as young people modified their movements according to the changing music, creating a partner dance which emphasized expression, personality, musicality, and the lead/follow connection techniques needed for unchoreographed social dancing. Today, "swing dancing" is an umbrella term for the family of dance styles from that era, and includes Charleston, Lindy Hop, Balboa, and Shag, all of which are danced to music with a swing rhythm.

Dancers of all ages around the world have discovered a love for jazz music and swing dancing, and we are excited to bring this energy and passion to Montalvo Arts Center in 2019. Join us for a two-hour workshop to learn the basics of partnered Charleston and 6-count Lindy Hop, and get an introduction to the history behind this beloved and all-American art form.

At its heart, Lindy Hop is a social dance — connecting with another person, and connecting with the music. But a *great* social dance is about more than just doing the steps while holding hands! This month, Richard and Margot will explore some of the qualities that contribute to awesome, comfortable social dances. From fun intros and endings, to surviving a crowded dance floor and building a dance that flows from one idea to the next, we’ll work on steps and skills that prioritize partnership and having fun on the social dance floor.

PRE-REQUISITES: All 4 months of Wednesday Night Hop’s Beginners Track or equivalent experience. No partner required, just bring comfy shoes and your enthusiasm!

Fine tune your understanding of directionality and timing through this "called" dance inspired by Latin dance circles. A caller shouts each set of moves, which allows the participants to pass partners, spin into new arms, and connect with each new partner.

PRE-REQUISITES: All 4 months of Wednesday Night Hop Beginners Track or equivalent experience. No partner required, just bring comfy shoes and your enthusiasm!