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, fun nature of swing dancing to the dance floor.
Upcoming 6 Week Series
September 5th - October 10th
Beginner PLUS Swing
NOTE: NOT FOR ABSOLUTE BEGINNERS
This class is for those who already have some swing dance experience. You should be familiar with 6 and 8 count basic steps and be working to incorporate both into a single dance. In this class we will add variations to moves taught in the beginner class and we will introduce new and more advanced moves and sequences. We will also work on connection, styling, and musicality. We will expect you to know basic 6 and 8 count steps and therefore will not be going over it in class.
If you have recently taken our beginner class and want a little more challenge this class will be perfect for you! If you have taken our intermediate class, consider taking this class to work on mastering some fundamentals OR take this class and dance the opposite role for a fun switch!
Note: this is focused on East Coast Swing and Lindy Hop, NOT West Coast Swing.
6 week series, September 5th - October 10th, 2024
Thursdays, 7pm – 8pm. Followed by a social dance until 9:00pm.
At the 418 Project in Downtown Santa Cruz.
Intermediate Swing
The Intermediate class will NOT be offered in September. Consider taking the beginning PLUS class to work on fundamentals, or try dancing the other role :).
This class is for you if you are looking to take your swing dancing up a notch. You should already be able to dance 6-count, 8-count, and basic Charleston. You likely took the Beginner class already, and are able to dance everything you learned there on the social dance floor. In this class, we'll further develop our Lindy Hop fundamentals and add variations.
Note: this is focused on East Coast Swing and Lindy Hop, NOT West Coast Swing.
Social Dances & Live Band Nights
During our 6-Week Dance Series we host social dances from 8:00pm - 9:00pm 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 on band night.
There is no band scheduled for our September 5th - October 10th series.
Other great opportunities to social dance in Santa Cruz:
Swing on the Wharf - FREE - DJ'd - 2nd Saturday every month. Lesson 2:30 pm, Social Dance 3:00 - 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
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
(and for info on how to add your own events to the calendar)
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 whatevery 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