Every Wednesday night features new lessons & fun dancing at the First United Methodist Church in Palo Alto
SCHEDULE
7:15pm – 8:15pm: Level 2 & Level 3 Classes
8:15pm – 9:15pm: Level 1 & Elective Classes
9:30pm – 11:45pm: Dance Party
We offer four classes every Wednesday night. Our classes are organized in progressive monthly series and we encourage students to sign up and attend the whole series. Nevertheless you can usually drop-in, check this FAQ for details.
Some lessons are solo classes, most lessons are partnered classes. Partnered swing dancing is a role based dance. You have to choose between the role of “leader” or the role of “follower”, and stick with it for the duration of the series class or drop-in. Check this FAQ for more information. Unless otherwise specified, you do not need a partner to come to class.
Upcoming Series Classes
If you have trouble with our store or registration,
please contact:
Our next series classes will start on Wednesday August 2nd.
We have added a second 8-count Lindy Hop class series to our level 1 curriculum.
The swingout is frequently known as a cornerstone move of Lindy Hop. This class will introduce you to the 8-count basic and even more swingout technique and variations to get you flying on the dance floor in no time!
PRE-REQUISITES: None. No partner required; just bring your enthusiasm and comfortable clothes!
Learn to move seamlessly between your Charleston and Lindy Hop, and get some more tricks while you're at it! When the tempos go up, you'll be able to kick up your dance into high energy with these transitions and kicks.
PRE-REQUISITES: Level 1A-D; twice through recommended. Execute a swingout, lindy circle, charleston and 6-count moves and transition between them in open and closed positions. No partner required, just bring your enthusiasm!
The Big Apple was a national phenomenon that blended the circle formations of African-influence with the trendy jazz figures and rhythms of the time. Popular moves were called in a manner similar to square-dancing and each dance was new and the figures particular to the region. However, most lindy hoppers today will only recognize Whitey's Lindy Hoppers who displayed this dance as a choreographed routine in the film, Keep Punching (1939). This routine is long and complex, requiring a wide breadth of jazz vocabulary and rhythm, but most importantly, it's incredibly energetic and fun! Come challenge yourself to learn this famous choreo in only five weeks! (And for those familiar with the shout circle, but get lost during the line, please note that we will start with that second half promptly on Week 1. So don't skip any of the earlier classes!)
PRE-REQUISITES: At least nine consecutive months of Level 1 and Level 2 including one full year of social dance, or discuss your eligibility with instructors. Under-qualified students will be asked to transfer to Level 2 in order to strengthen their fundamentals.
Come learn balboa, or refine your fundamentals in this foundations class that will go through basic rhythms, patterns and connection. We will cover the primary basic steps in balboa, with a particular emphasis on linear bal-swing movements, out and in's, crossovers, and promenade. Come learn the art of walking with a partner, with style!
PRE-REQUISITES: None. No partner required; just bring your enthusiasm and comfortable clothes!
Upcoming Drop-in Classes
Here are the coming week drop-in classes:
Born with two left feet? Not sure if you have rhythm? Our one hour taster class is for absolute beginners who want to dip their toes into partnered swing dance! We'll spend an hour getting you acquainted with the basic steps and get you on the dance floor that same night. No partner required! The class will be filled with newbies and new friends.
Come out and kick your way through Charleston! Once a separate dance born of the Roaring 20s, these high-energy moves became an integral part of the Lindy Hop dance floor and are frequently danced together in a single song. This is the best way to get your heart-rate up and your feet moving to the fastest tunes available!
PRE-REQUISITES: None. No partner required; just bring your enthusiasm and comfortable clothes!
Did you know that 8-count moves could become 6-count moves and vice versa? Did you know you could mix 8-count and 6-count moves with impunity? Learn how to lead and follow the difference, and what to do when it all changes!
PRE-REQUISITES: Level 1A-D; twice through recommended. Execute a swingout, lindy circle, charleston and 6-count moves and transition between them in open and closed positions. No partner required, just bring your enthusiasm!
It's not what you do, it's the way that you do it. It's not where you're going, it's how you get there. We'll find ourselves in surprising places by cleaning up our connective technique but leaving room for variation and experimentation.
PRE-REQUISITES: At least nine consecutive months of Level 1 and Level 2 including one full year of social dance, or discuss your eligibility with instructors. Under-qualified students will be asked to transfer to Level 2 in order to strengthen their fundamentals.
Not just a jazz move, the "Trickeration" solo jazz routine is rhythmically challenging and exciting. The Queen of Swing, Norma Miller, used it to audition candidates for her professional jazz troupe, the Jazz Men, and separate the wheat from the chaff. Come learn a routine that will inspire your musical understanding and quality of movement.
PRE-REQUISITES: Basic solo jazz (like the shim-sham).
Buy a gift certificate for a friend, colleague, or family member. Gift certificates can only be used towards paying for class series online on our website and are valid for 6 months.
If you are new to Wednesday Night Hop…
We offer four classes every Wednesday night. Our classes are organized in progressive monthly series and we encourage students to sign up and attend the whole series. Nevertheless you can usually drop-in, check this FAQ for details.
Some lessons are solo classes, most lessons are partnered classes. Partnered swing dancing is a role based dance. You have to choose between the role of “leader” or the role of “follower”, and stick with it for the duration of the series class or drop-in. Check this FAQ for more information. Unless otherwise specified, you do not need a partner to come to class.
Our class syllabus is organized into three progressive levels (level 1, level 2, level 3) and an elective class topic category. Please check our curriculum page for details.
If you’re dropping in, registration is at the door. For series classes, we encourage you to register online. It is cheaper and you will get through the line faster at the studio. You will need to create a user account. This will allow you to keep track of the classes you have attended. Online registration closes at 11:59pm on the day before the first class of the series.
- 4-week Series Classes (most months) -- Includes admission to dance party.
- Before Tuesday midnight of series start: $25/person per series
- At the door: $30/person per series
- 5-week Series Classes (for months with 5 weeks of classes) -- Includes admission to dance party.
- Before Tuesday midnight of series start: $30/person per series
- At the door: $35/person per series
- 3-week Series Classes (for months with 3 weeks of classes) -- Includes admission to dance party.
- Before Tuesday midnight of series start: $25/person per series
- At the door: $30/person per series
- Drop-In Classes -- $16/person drop-in. Includes admission to dance party.
- Both Drop-In Classes -- $24/person drop-in. Includes admission to dance party.
- Swing Dance Party -- only $6/person from 9:30pm - 11:45pm
- 4-week Series Classes (most months) -- Includes admission to dance party.
- Before Sunday midnight of series start: $45/person for one series or $70/person for two series in the same month
- After Sunday till Tuesday midnight: $50/person for one series or $75/person for two series in the same month
- At the door: $60/person for one series or $90/person for two series in the same month
- 5-week Series Classes (for months with 5 weeks of classes) -- Includes admission to dance party.
- Before Sunday midnight of series start: $50/person for one series or $80/person for two series in the same month
- After Sunday till Tuesday midnight: $55/person for one series or $85/person for two series in the same month
- At the door: $65/person for one series or $100/person for two series in the same month
- 3-week Series Classes (for months with 3 weeks of classes) -- Includes admission to dance party.
- Till Tuesday midnight: $30/person per series
- At the door: $40/person per series
- Drop-In Classes -- $16/person drop-in. Includes admission to dance party.
- Both Drop-In Classes -- $24/person drop-in. Includes admission to dance party.
- Swing Dance Party -- only $8/person from 9:30pm - 11:45pm; $12/person on band nights.
- 4-week Series Classes (most months) -- Includes admission to dance party.
- Before Tuesday midnight of series start: $25/person per series
- At the door: $30/person per series
- 5-week Series Classes (for months with 5 weeks of classes) -- Includes admission to dance party.
- Before Tuesday midnight of series start: $30/person per series
- At the door: $35/person per series
- 3-week Series Classes (for months with 3 weeks of classes) -- Includes admission to dance party.
- Before Tuesday midnight of series start: $25/person per series
- At the door: $30/person per series
- Drop-In Classes -- $16/person drop-in. Includes admission to dance party.
- Both Drop-In Classes -- $24/person drop-in. Includes admission to dance party.
- Swing Dance Party -- only $6/person from 9:30pm - 11:45pm
Here is the address of the venue:
We host a dance party every Wednesday, with live music once a month, usually on the first Wednesday of the month. Below are our upcoming events. You can check our recent events here.
Flip through our most frequently asked questions: