Wicked Westie

A dimly lit room, dancers letting off steam, the best popular music...

The world of social west coast swing is alive and thriving Thursday nights in Atlanta. For many UGA and Athens dancers, the world of west coast swing is a mystery. To many, it is an underground society of dancers who dance a style that is set aside for only the professionals of the Swing circuit, like Benji Schwimmer, who dances with an unattainable quality.

West coast, however, is not as mysterious and secretive as we make it out to be. First impressions aren’t everything however—dancers will have to dig a little deeper into the world of swing to find out how to really west coast.

Every Thursday night in Atlanta, Wicked Westie hosts swing nights dedicated to west coast dancing to all of today’s popular songs. Every song fills the floor with couples dancing everything from just the basics to incredibly advanced lead-and-follow steps. A small venue filled with people, brimming with enthusiasm and the love of the dance… all the best elements of west coast social dancing.

One of the most important things to remember is not be intimidated. Practicing with more advanced partners is one of the best ways to learn. For people new to the world of west coast, Wicked Westie offers a multitude of opportunities to become more accustomed to the dance.

Before social dancing starts, there are Beginner and Intermediate/Advanced group lessons. At these lessons, experienced dancers teach the most important nuances of the dance.  The essential aspects of the dance include the techniques, the emotion, and the connection to the music and partner. These nuances take time to master, but Wicked Westie is the best place to practice because it is filled with dancers both experienced and eager to learn who are passionate about west coast swing.

Wicked Westie welcomes dancers of all ages and levels. If you are interested in coming out, Wicked Westie is:

Garden Hills Community Center: 307 Pine Tree Drive NE, Atlanta, GA 30305.