Vintage Swing Lessons:
WHAT: Beginner lessons, Beyond the Basics lessons, and Series Classes (see below for more information)
WHEN: Every Thursday night from 7pm-8pm
PRICE: Beginner and Beyond the Basics lessons are included with the price of admission. Series classes vary in price depending on the length of the series. Swing Devils members receive a discount on Series classes.
West Coast Swing Lessons:
WHAT: Beginner and Beyond the Basics lessons (see below for more information)
WHEN: Second and fourth Fridays. Beginner lesson from 7pm-8pm, Beyond the Basics lesson from 6:15pm-7pm.
PRICE: Beginner and Beyond the Basics lessons are included with the price of admission.
Beginner Lessons
Every dance we teach a beginning drop in lesson from 7pm to 8pm, which is included in the price of admission. Lessons are taught by a team of volunteers and generally focus on basic six count swing. On Thursdays beginner lessons focus on East Coast Swing, and generally teach the basic step, inside turn, and outside turn. The beginner lesson on 2nd and 4th Fridays focuses on West Coast Swing, and generally teach the left side pass, sugar push, right side pass, and/or sugar tuck. Exact content of the lessons varies depending on the talents of the instructor.
Even if you've been to one or two beginner lessons already, it's always a great idea to keep attending lessons as different instructors will teach different dance moves and have different pointers.
Beyond the Basics
If you love swing dancing and you feel comfortable with the content from the beginner lesson and are ready to learn more, then Beyond the Basics are for you! Beyond the Basics will build upon the skills dancers have learned in the Beginner lessons, focusing on technique, connection, transitions, and new moves.
For Thursday Night Vintage Swing, the Beyond the Basics lesson happen from 7pm to 8pm, if we do not have Series classes happening.
For Friday Night West Coast Swing, the Beyond the Basics lesson happens from 6:15pm to 7pm, BEFORE the Beginner lesson.
Series Classes
In addition to our beginner lessons, we are also offering series classes! The series classes are progressive lessons that build upon the material taught each week. These classes feature different styles and instructors, and generally run for 4-5 weeks at a time. Prices vary depending on topic, instructor(s), and length of class. Previous series classes include East Coast Swing Fundamentals, Charleston, Lindy Hop, and Balboa. Our series classes start the beginning of the month. See our calendar for our series class schedule, and continue on for more details!
If cost is prohibiting we are happy to work with you. We are currently in need of volunteers to help us set up and close down our dances and cover door shifts. Please email us at swingdevilspalouse@gmail.com if you are interested in volunteering to offset the cost of the series.
East Coast Swing Fundamentals - September 2024
(4) Weeks, $12 for members and $20 for non-members for the whole series.
Classes are from 7pm - 8pm on Thursday, September 5th, 12th, 19th, and 26th.
Instructor(s): Michael Noel
This series class will focus on East Coast Swing and partner dancing fundamentals, including connection, frame and posture, rhythm, and musicality. This series is designed to get both beginner and intermediate dancers more comfortable dancing East Coast Swing, and set the foundation for learning more vintage swing styles in the future, like Charleston and Lindy Hop.
Classes are every Thursday through September, and build upon the knowledge from the previous class. If you want to attend the series classes but will miss a week, please talk to the instructor(s). We recommend you be familiar with the East Coast Swing Basic Step, Inside Turn, and Outside Turn.
Beginner Lindy Hop - October 2024
(5) Weeks, $15 for members and $25 for non-members for the whole series.
Classes are from 7pm - 8pm on Thursday, October 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th, and 31st.
Instructor(s): TBD
Our Lindy Hop series will cover Lindy Hop rhythms, connection dynamics, the Lindy Circle, and Swing Outs. The concepts of each class build upon the content from the previous class. Please meet with an instructor if you are planning on missing a class. We'll teach you have to incorporate Lindy Hop into your vintage Swing Dancing!
Charleston - November and December 2024
(5) Weeks, $15 for members and $25 for non-members for the whole series.
Classes are from 7pm - 8pm on Thursday, November 7th, 14th, and 21st and continue on December 5th and 12th.
Instructor(s): TBD
Our Charleston Series will explore side by side Charleston, 1920's Charleston, and Tandem Charleston. We'll teach you how to incorporate various Charleston moves in with your East Coast Swing. The concepts of each class build upon the content from the previous class. Please meet with an instructor if you are planning on missing a class.
Jazz Routine: The Big Apple - February 2025
(4) Weeks, $12 for members and $20 for non-members for the whole series.
Classes are from 7pm - 8pm on Thursday, February 6th, 13th, 20th, and 27th.
Instructor(s): Alex
Description to come.
Intermediate East Coast Swing - March 2025
(4) Weeks, $12 for Members and $20 for non-members for the whole series.
Classes are from 7pm - 8pm on Thursday, March 6th, 13th, 20th, and 27th.
Instructor(s): TBD
Description to come.
Choreography: The Lindy Chorus - April 2025
(4) Weeks, $12 for Members and $20 for non-members for the whole series.
Classes are from 7-8pm on
Instructor(s): Alex and Colby
Description to come.
Practicum
Occasionally volunteer instructors host focused practices to assist in the learning of new content. Practicums are generally 1-2 hours long and held on a different day / at a different time than our regular dances and lessons. Content varies by practicum leader, but is catered to the dancers that attend. The goal of this is to make space for dancers to practice what they have learned (or want to learn) with the support of other dancers and the practicum host.
Practicums has been offered in the past in conjunction with series classes or to help dancers prepare for Saturday Workshop topics.
Private Lessons
Some of our members also teach private lessons if you want to advance faster with your dancing. Feel free to reach out to us at swingdevilspalouse@gmail.com or on Facebook and let us know what your lesson needs are. We will then put you in contact with a possible instructor.
Wanna be the Teacher?
Want to help out by teaching? We love getting new volunteers! Check out our How to Volunteer page.
We teach Beginner and Beyond the Basics lessons before each dance!