Keen to try out dancing from a vintage era? Grab a partner and head to the following Inner West locations to dance the night away.
SWINGTIME AUSTRALIA
Miss Peaches, Newtown and 26-28 Cook Rd, Marrickville
Get a holistic swing education at this local dance school, which offers classes in Balboa, Rock’n’Roll and Swing (Lindy Hop) to groups and individuals. The Lindy Hop is the most well-known kind of swing dance, and evolved in Harlem, NYC along with jazz music in the 1930s. It’s characterised by an 8-count basic, or “swing out”, and allows for easy improvisation. In Balboa, which is another type of swing dance, there are no spins or turns — it’s nice and intimate, with dancers standing chest to chest at all times in a close embrace.
SWING PATROL
St Stephens Church Hall, Newtown and Different Drummer Bar, Glebe
Sydney Swing Patrol hosts a range of special swing nights at Inner West locations throughout the month. ‘Swing Pit’ is their Lindy Hop night in Newtown, held on the second and fourth Friday each month, and welcomes both beginners and intermediate dancers for lessons in the evening. After 9pm it’s time to let loose, with social dancing ‘til late and a focus on fun. ‘Glebe’s Juke Joint’ is held on the first Thursday of every month at Different Drummer, and gives you the chance to try your hand dancing to slightly slower and smoother Blues tunes. Finish up the night with a few drinks and a social dance after 8.30pm.
SWING TO IT SYDNEY
Leichhardt Bowling and Recreation Club, Ashfield Civic Centre, Marrickville Bowling Club, and St Lukes Hall, Enmore
Aside from Lindy Hop, this Sydney dance school also specialises in 50s Rock’n’Roll. Derived from the Lindy Hop, Rock’n’Roll dance amps it up on the speed and athleticism, so it’s sure to give you a work out. Classes in both swing and Rock’n’Roll are held all around the Inner West, with Inner West Council residents getting free classes on Tuesdays. For the super keen, you can also sign up to one of the six week courses that are scheduled for throughout the year.
SWING OUT SYDNEY
Newtown Neighbourhood Centre, Newtown
Welcoming those who prefer to dance as same sex couples, Swing Out Sydney makes all members of the LGBTI community feel comfortable in their classes. Specialising in teaching Swing Dance styles from the 1930s and 40s, they encourage stepping away from traditional gender roles, advertising that “guys and girls can choose if they want to dance like Fred Astaire or Ginger Rogers, the choice is yours.” Teaching to lead and follow, rather than as male and female, you can choose to adopt either role when you head to their class to meet new friends and relax in a social atmosphere.
