Santa Cruz Swing
Keeping the moves and styles of swing dance alive
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
July 11th – August 15th
Beginner Swing
This class is for anyone who is looking to try something new, or to get more comfortable with their current swing dancing skills. Learn partner dancing fundamentals and the styles of the swing era. Great for anyone from total novices to those working on comfort leading and/or following 6-count (and even some 8-count) moves on a social dance floor. We will learn triple steps, 6-count basic, 8-count basic, and basic Charleston. And we'll also work on mixing 6 and 8 count moves inside a dance.
Note: this is focused on East Coast Swing and Lindy Hop, NOT West Coast Swing.
6 week series, July 11th - August 15th, 2024
Thursdays, 7pm – 8pm. Followed by a social dance until 9:15pm.
At the 418 Project in Downtown Santa Cruz.
Intermediate Swing
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.
6 week series, July 11th - August 15th, 2024
Thursdays, 7pm – 8pm. Followed by a social dance until 9:15pm.
At the 418 Project in Downtown Santa Cruz.
Social Dances & Live Band Nights
During our 6-Week Dance Series we host social dances from 8:00pm - 9:15pm immediately following the dance lessons at the 418 Project. At least one of the social dances will have a live band, and the others will be DJ'd.
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.
Live bands and dates still TBD for the next series in July / August 2024.
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)
See More Swing In Action