Santa Cruz Swing
Learn to partner dance, meet people, & have a good time
About Us
Santa Cruz Swing began in response to the growing interest and excitement the Santa Cruz community has shown for swing dancing.
The teachers and those who have supported SC Swing have been partner dancing and swing dancing for over a decade and want to bring the silly, playful, cool, and fun nature of swing dancing to the dance floor.
Upcoming 5-Week Lindy Hop Series!
April 17th - May 15th 2025
*We are offering 3 levels for this series*
Please read the descriptions and sign up for the appropriate one :)
Read More & Book on our Registration Page (registration opens March 15th)
Social Dances & Live Band Nights
During our series we host social dances from 8:00pm - 9:15pm immediately following the dance lessons at the 418 Project.
Students from the lessons get into the dances for free.
Dancers from the general public are welcome to join as well, for $5 during a regular DJ'd social, and $10 If we have a band.
Other great opportunities to social dance in Santa Cruz:
Swing on the Wharf - FREE - DJ'd - 2nd Saturday every month. Lesson 3:00 pm, Social Dance 3:30 - 6:00 pm
Western Wednesdays - $20 - Live Bands - Once a month on a Wednesday. (Note: this is western swing, not jazz, but still a great place to partner dance)
Plateau Jazz Band - FREE! -Every 3rd Sunday of the month at Pono Hawaiian Grill OR Abbotts Square. Lesson from 5 to 5:30, dance from 5:30 to 7:30
Hot Club Pacific - $5 Cover - Crows Nest - 4th Wednesday of the month
Balboa Lessons - $10 at the mid county senior center (all ages welcome). Beginner 6:00-7:00, Intermediate 7:00-8:00
Swing at Adorable French Bakery: 2nd and 4th Fridays, 5pm to 7pm, free
Live Music Fridays - $10 at the mid county senior center (all ages welcome). Email Gertie at ladyinred@cruzio.com if you want to be added to the mid county senior center email list!
See our Swing Calendar for more events
Guidelines
Everyone of all ages, colors, and genders is welcome at these dances! We value a respectful and safe atmosphere. Please talk to one of the teachers or administrators if something happens that feels uncomfortable.
Some additional helpful notes:
Wanna dance with someone? It's usually best to start by simply asking if they'd like to dance :) And you can follow up to ask if they have a preferred role – Lead, Follow, Switch – or to let them know yours.
Don't wanna dance? Feel free to say "No thanks!". No other explanation needed :)
Don't sweat it if someone says "no". There are plenty of reasons to decline a dance, and often folks just are taking a break. Plus, there are always plenty of other people to dance with.
Speaking of sweat... the dance floor can get hot! Not a bad idea to bring an extra shirt or two to change into when the first one gets soaked.
This dance can also get close...so, it's also a great idea to freshen up before coming to class or social dance in whatever way you do that: e.g. showered, deodorant applied, teeth brushed, etc.
Be safe: look around when you are dancing to make sure you aren't crashing into folks. And for moves that are inherently a little riskier – e.g. dips – Leads, please be extra cautious about where you are moving your partner's head. Often, another head is getting dipped at the same time in your vicinity, and head knocking is no fun.
Aerials: we highly discourage aerials on the social dance floor. If they are ever done, it should be in a context where:
You are dancing with a partner you have already practiced the specific aerials you are doing
You both are aware that you are planning to do an aerial
You are in a jam circle where there is plenty of space around so you don't hit anyone else
Recap Videos From Past Classes
See More Swing In Action