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What do we actually do?
What do we actually do?
We run weekly lessons on a variety of styles of swing dance!
Swing Dance is an umbrella term for a range of vernacular dances that developed with swing Jazz music in the 1920s-40s, particularly within the African-American community.
We run regular Lindy Hop and Charleston lessons, as well as some Solo Jazz and Collegiate Shag. Occasionally, we also try to run lessons on other styles such as Blues and Balboa too!
Partners?
Partners?
These are partnered dances (except solo jazz and sometimes blues), so you will be dancing with a partner! We'll encourage people to partner up in the lesson, and rotate partners* so you don't need to worry about finding someone to dance with.
Swing dances were traditionally improvised styles, which means they use a physical connection to allow the dancers to communicate moves to each other.
As they are partnered dance styles, they will usually involve some form of physical connection. This usually looks like a hand hold, and a hand on the centre of your partners back or shoulder. Our teachers will talk about consent and appropriate contact, and we have a zero-tolerance policy for any inappropriate behaviour, as we want to create a safe and comfortable space for all our dancers.
Some dance styles (for example, Balboa and some types of Blues), use a connection called 'close hold/close embrace'. This looks like a hug, and helps communicate moves to the other dancer in your pair. If we run lessons that involve this type of connection we will make sure to add details on the weekly post.
This connection is nothing more than a friendly hug, and there is nothing intrinsically 'romantic' or otherwise about it, but we understand that not everyone is comfortable with hugs or this type of physical contact, so we don't run these lessons often and you can also sit out for part or all of any lesson. We will make sure to let you know in advance if a lesson will be using close embrace.
We do also offer solo jazz lessons which are danced alone - these will often involve learning a short routine, which includes some moves and occasionally trying some improvised parts. Keep an eye out on our social media for these if these lessons are more your style!
*please note that if you are uncomfortable with rotating partners then it is not essential, but we do recommend it as it means you get to meet lots of new people and it will help improve your dancing!
Here, Clara (red dress) is leading, and Finn (white shirt) is following.
Lead or Follow?
Lead or Follow?
As these are improvised dances, one person will 'lead', or suggest moves, and the other person will 'follow', or interpret the signals from the lead. They both have scope for creativity and both roles have agency over how the dance looks, but in different ways.
These are not gendered roles, and anyone can dance either role. You can also learn both roles, and even swap roles mid-dance - this is called switching - (although for ease of learning it is recommended to try one at a time). Swing dance etiquette is to ask someone if they lead or follow, and not to assume based on appearance or otherwise. We are an inclusive and welcoming space for people of any gender and background.
What do I need?
What do I need?
Not much! For our regular lessons, you can essentially just turn up, no special equipment necessary.
Not much! For our regular lessons, you can essentially just turn up, no special equipment necessary.
What you do need:
What you do need:
comfy clothes that you can move around in.
flat shoes - trainers are perfect!
water bottle - the nearest water fountain to P/T/006 is in Vanbrugh Dining, or in the Spring Lane Building (keycard access only between 6pm-10pm).
£3, or £2 and a membership - make sure to bring your membership card for us to stamp, and you get every 6th lesson FREE! Pay cash or card on the door and you're in!
What you do not need:
What you do not need:
a partner - feel free to come along with your friends but we'll rotate partners throughout the lesson* so everyone gets to dance with everyone! We like that this is very social, and you get to know the moves better by trying them out with different people.
fancy dance shoes - if you have them already then by all means wear them, but these are not necessary and you may find that on some surfaces you prefer grippier shoes, particularly with more active dance styles like Charleston! Heels are not recommended unless you know what you're doing.
dance knowledge or any sense of rhythm - we pride ourselves on being a friendly society where the aim is to have fun and learn something new, and not become a perfect swing dancer in two hours. We do not expect you to have ever danced before, let alone done swing dance before. Our classes are mixed-ability, and we try to have something for everyone. We tailor our lessons to be beginner friendly, particularly at the beginning of the academic year. Everyone picks things up at a different pace, and as long as you're enjoying it that's all that matters!
to book - no need to faff around, just show up!
*please note that if you are uncomfortable with rotating partners then we will not make you, but we do recommend it as it means you get to meet lots of new people and it will help improve your dancing! I promise that no one is judging you, and none of you were worse than me when I joined (my left and rights were sooo bad...)
Lesson Structure
Lesson Structure
Every lesson is beginner-friendly so you can come as and when you’re available. Our lessons are not consecutive, and you can attend as many or as few as you wish.
Our classes are split into two 45-minute lessons, and you can join for the first, second, or both (both are included in the lesson fee)
A rough timetable is as follows:
7:30pm - start arriving, and pay at the desk.
7:45pm - start with a warm up. This usually involves the teachers in the centre of a circle doing some moves, and everyone trying to copy
Footwork! Each week we go through the basic footwork needed for the lesson (don’t worry, there’s not much!), as an introduction for new dancers or as a refresher and good practice for those more experienced.
Moves! Our teachers will show you a couple of moves, or will focus on some techniques, depending on the aim of the lesson, and take everyone through the content.
8:30pm - 8:50pm - break. Our classes are split into two 45-minute lessons, so it’s not too intense. Break for a chat or short dance.
8:50pm- 9:35pm - second lesson. You do not need to pay again, £2/3 covers the whole evening
9:35pm - 10:30pm - Relaxed social dancing
Informal social - often we will head to V-bar after a lesson to chat. This is by no means compulsory, and there is also no pressure to drink alcohol if you do join.
Location - Hendrix Hall (D/L/028)
Location - Hendrix Hall (D/L/028)
This year our lessons are held in Hendrix Hall (D/L/028), next to Courtyard bar.
Nearest accessible entrances: the main entrance involves a few steps to get from the corridoor into the hall. There is step-free access to the room via a stairlift in Courtyard and the double doors there.
Nearest toilets: the nearest toilets are opposite the main entrance to the hall, accessible toilets are located behind Courtyard.
If you need a break: there is seating outside the room in Courtyard or upstairs near the Norman Rea Gallery, and you can step out at any moment. There are also vending machines opposite the stairs in, and the nearest water fountain would be in Courtyard.
Map of Campus West with Hendrix Hall in pink, marked with a yellow X.
Something Not right?
Something Not right?
We hope everyone can enjoy our lessons safely and comfortably. If something doesn't feel right, the best way to let us know is to contact us.
Email: swingdance@yorksu.org
Confidential email: swingdance-welfare@yorksu.org
This email address is only monitored by our Welfare Officer, but due to safeguarding rules we cannot promise confidentiality. We will only share information when deemed necessary.
DM on instagram: @uoyswingstagram
Our specific events page: @uoyswingdance_events
DM us on Facebook Messenger: UoY Swing Dance Society
Feedback
Feedback
Use our Lesson Feedback Form if you want to tell use what you thought about a specific lesson!
Use our Welfare Report Form for another way to confidentially report a welfare concern.
Dance Profiles
Dance Profiles
These profiles include a brief introduction for what to expect from the style, and some useful accessibility information on what the dance involves.
Lindy Hop
Lindy Hop
Known for being incredibly versatile, Lindy Hop is the style you'll find most in the UK. It evolved in the early 1930s in the African-American community in Harlem, USA, and quickly became known for its versatility, adaptability, and impressive air steps, or aerials (we do not teach these in our normal lessons).
While Lindy Hop can be fast, it can be done to your own pace and is not hugely physically demanding if you dance to most tempos.
Charleston
Charleston
The style that most people have heard of, due to a version of it being popular in ballrooms and Strictly Come Dancing. Charleston has two main styles: 1920s and 1930s. '20s Charleston involves the swivels you may be familiar with, but the '30s style offers more range and is known for big kicks and high energy.
Charleston has a strong pulse to it, which means and is a bit more 'jumpy' than Lindy Hop. It involves lots of kicks so if you have issues with your knees this may be one to look out for - our teachers can try to recommend some modifications. It's also often danced to faster tempos so can be more physically intense.
Solo Jazz
Solo Jazz
Despite being danced alone, solo can still be sociable! You'll often see people gathering in circle to dance 'trade eights', where you each choose a move for eight counts and share it with the rest of the group. We'll usually practice some solo moves as a warm up, and you can also keep an eye out for choreographed solo routines, such as the Mama Stew and the Shim Sham, that are often danced at socials. Because you are dancing alone, it is very easy to adapt to your own style and access requirements.
Solo can be as loud and expressive as you want, with jumps and experimental moves, or keep it small as a way to practice your technique! It's fun and lively, and you can show off your personality!
Blues
Blues
Blues is often slower and danced to blues music (predictably). The footwork tends to be more focused on rhythm and musicality rather than the energetic kicks and jumps you may see in Charleston and Shag.
Blues can be solo or partnered, and there are lots of different types. In the past we've looked at jookin' blues, which is quite fun and funky, and ballroomin' blues, which tends to be slower and danced closer with your partner (but this isn't essential).
Collegiate Shag
Collegiate Shag
This style developed in colleges in likely the Carolinas in the 1920s, and started as a mockery of uptight ballroom dances (sorry YBLS). It's believed to be one of the first swing dances of the swing era, and quickly spread across America.
Shag involves lots of small kicks, and is usually danced to very fast music. It's one of the most physically intense dances we teach, but it has a great energy and makes dancing to fast songs possible.
Balboa
Balboa
Balboa (sometimes referred to as bal) is another dance under the Swing umbrella, usually danced to high-tempo music but with smaller steps so is less intense than Charleston or Collegiate Shag.
In the past we've looked at ‘bal swing’ and ‘pure bal’. Pure Balboa uses a chest-to-chest connection (basically a hug) which is necessary to the dance but we understand that not everyone is comfortable with. We want to highlight firstly that this part our classes is optional, and also that you are always able to find a friend you feel comfortable dancing with and not join in the rotation. We also teach ‘bal swing’ which uses a more open connection (similar to Lindy Hop), but we want to recognise where balboa comes from and teach it in its traditional form too.
Find this information in an accessible format via:
See you there!
See you there!
Any other questions - drop us an email or DM :)
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