Learn to Dance
There is absolutely no experience (not even a partner!) needed when you join us for lessons here at the DSDS.
All that we ask is that you come with a smile, an open mind, and wearing clean indoor shoes with non-marking soles.
~At DalKing's Swing Safe Dance~
We care about your safety and comfort. If anyone, regardless who, is making you uncomfortable, please come tell a staff member , executive or volunteer.
As these are private lessons, we reserve the right to ask anyone to leave if they are disrupting the event, the enjoyment of our attendees or any other reason that we deem reasonable.
Lindy Hop lessons are progressive so drop-ins are not advisable.
Winter Lessons 2019
We've got some wonderful lessons to keep that autumn chill away, and you don't want to miss them. Join us at the First Baptist Church at 1300 Oxford Street for lessons and social dances. As always, you don't need to bring a partner or have any experience in dance, so come on!
Swing Factory
Date: Every saturday! (with some exceptions)
Time: 6:45-7:45
Price: $5
location: 1300 Oxford street
Visit us for a drop in lesson and introduction to the basics of swing dancing and Lindy Hop! All ages welcome! Stay after the drop-in for an evening social of swing dancing fun!
NOTE: The church is unavailable on April 27, and May 4, so no Swing Factory those weeks.
Lindy Hop Level 1a
Date: TBD
Time: 6:45-7:45
Price: $30
location: 1300 Oxford street
Lindy hop is a wonderful, joyful dance for all ages! This dance comes to us from the ballrooms of Harlem where Black dancers and musicians pioneered this incredible art form. Please join us for a 4-week progressive series where you will be introduced to lindy hop fundamentals--no partner required! Gain some confidence and rhythm in your dancing. We will cover basic 6-count and 8-count moves, including tuck turns, promenades, send outs, and swing outs. This course is progressive, ie you must attend the classes in succession.
For an example of lindy hop, watch us at summer waterfront dancing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yuqRQWcUJ44
(PROGRESSIVE SERIES)
Date: MAY 11-JUNE 15 (6 Weeks)
Time: 6:45-7:45
Price: $??
location: 1300 Oxford street
THis is a 6 weeks progressive course …
It is 6 weeks and was announced on April 13, 2019. (Further Description)
Shim sham Routine
date: TBA
Time: 6:30-7:45
Price: $15
location: 1300 Oxford street
Looking to add to your swing repertoire? Well, look no further! The Shim Sham is a fun, engaging, and common routine you will see at almost any swing social. With fun moves and foot work, the Shim Sham is the perfect way to expand your dance and have a great time!
Lindy Hop level 1b
Date: TBA
Time: 6:30-7:45
Price: $30
Location: 1300 Oxford Street
So you’ve finished Lindy 1A, and have fallen in love with the dance. We definitely can't blame you! In order to satisfy that craving for MOAR LINDY, we are happy to offer Lindy 2! What you'll learn: more swing out practice, working with circular momentum, swing out variations, swivels, mixing 6&8 count, and some musical breaks. Basically, all the fun stuff! We look forward to seeing you on the dance floor!!
Winter Blues lessons 2018
Join us this fall for blues dancing lessons at 1313 Hollis Street – Thursday nights 6:30-8:30 pm.
No previous blues dancing experience is necessary, but experienced dancers will learn more about blues dance techniques, idioms, and strategies to push their dancing to a higher level. No partner required because we will rotate partners often.
What is blues dancing? Blues dancing is a relaxed partner or solo dance that responds to the rhythms and emotions of blues music. It includes a family of dances created in African American communities for social dancing to blues music, from the late 19th through the 20th century. Rooted in African movement, blues dancing values improvisation, rhythm, and fun. Over the last several decades, a vibrant blues dancing community has grown in many parts of the world, from the birthplace of the blues in Louisiana, to festivals in Europe, to clubs in East Asia. (For more on blues dancing, check out Blues Dance New York or Laura Chieko’s pages http://bluesdancenewyork.com/what-is-blues/ http://www.laurachieko.com/blues-idiom-dances/
PROGRESIVE BLUES DANCE CLASS
Date: Thurs (DATES) at 1313 Hollis Street
Time: 6:30-8:30 pm
Price: $45 for community members, $30 for students
DalKingSwing starts a new 6-week session of blues dance lessons on ?? [running until ??]!! This is a great chance to learn more about cozy and musically-inspired improvisational partner-dancing to blues music. The class is open to all levels and will focus on learning how to embody the music, to enhance partnering skills, and to improve dance dynamics. [The class will give great preparation for a workshop we are hoping to host the weekend of March 8 with an international-level blues dance instructor!!]
Not sure if you want to make the leap? Check out our weekly swing factory for a drop in lesson!
Want to be a DJ?
If you really like swing dance music, we invite you to learn about DJing! Other than volunteers, the DSDS is looking for a Head DJ (preferably someone with DJ experience) and DJs to help out with events. Ready to be a DJ? Apply here!
Our Head DJ Ian Whitman offers lessons to prospective DJs.
A message from Ian:
"This is a basic, high level, DJ intro web series being done by a site that I use for DJ information pretty regularly. It's covering the basic concepts of DJing (from a club DJ standpoint, however the basics apply to all DJing). Have a look if you're interested. FYI this is meant as a lead-in to a paid course, and the courses aren't cheap. For basic info video the series is useful, and there is a free weekly training course you can sign up for through the site as well."