Swing Dance Sydney

1. When are the parties?

We run Harlem and other parties occasionally.

So keep an eye on our facebook page for news about upcoming parties.

2. What do I wear?

Lindy hoppers like to dress up for special occasions. You'll see dancers in vintage 1920s, 30s, or 40s outfits, or modern clothes.

For more casual events (like a smaller DJed party), pretty much anything goes. You might try out your latest vintage dress or shirt, or you you might just arrive in your favourite jeans and Tshirt.

If you sweat a lot, a change of shirt might be a good idea.

Whatever you wear, the important thing is to feel good, and to wear shoes that are comfortable.

3. What do I bring?

Most dancers bring deoderant, breath mints, and a bottle of water.

Many also bring a a small towel or handkerchief to wipe their face, and a change of shirt.

If the event is in a licensed bar, bringing your own drink is discouraged - buying a drink at the bar is a good way of supporting the live music economy.

We like to bring snacks to share at our Block Parties - bring a plate, or just bring your appetite!

4. What happens at a social dance?

Dancing!

But swing dancers like to talk as much as they like to dance. So they often gather on the side of the dance floor or at the bar to talk and have a drink. Feel free to join dancers you don't know in conversation - introduce yourself and make new friends!

5. Am I ready to social dance?

Yes.

You are ready to social dance after just one lesson. The lindy hop scene is very welcoming to new dancers, and our events are particularly open to new dancers.

6. How do I ask someone to dance?

1. The simplest way is to wait until the beginning of a new song.
2. Walk up to someone and say "Hello, would you like to dance?"
3. If you don't know each other, introduce yourself: "My name is Frankie."
4. Follow up with "I usually lead/follow. Are you ok to follow/lead?" or if you dance both roles, you might say "Would you rather follow or lead?"

It's totally ok to ask anyone to dance - men can ask women, men can ask men, women can ask women, new dancers can ask experienced dancers, experienced dancers can ask new dancers, young people can ask older people, older people can ask younger people. Lindy hoppers especially like asking strangers to dance - we travel all over the world just to meet and dance with new people! The only rule is to be polite!

If you enjoyed your dance, ask for another - "Would you like another?" Different cities have different traditions about the number of dances you dance with one partner. If you're visiting a new city and aren't sure, just ask!

7. What if someone asks me to dance and I don't want to?

It's ok to just say "No thank you."

Sometimes we just aren't up for a dance. We might be tired, thirsty, enjoying a good conversation, or just enjoying watching the band. It's ok to politely say, "No thank you - I'm taking a rest/just having a drink/just talking/enjoying watching the band." And because lindy hoppers are very friendly people, we often add, "Would you like to join me?"

8. What if I ask someone to dance and they say no?

It's ok!
Sometime people just don't feel like dancing. And it's ok to just say "No thank you."

If you've just asked someone to dance and they've said "No thank you," smile and say "No worries - maybe later?"

If you'd both like to chat - chat! If you're desperate to dance, it's ok to look for another partner to dance with. We understand the call of the dance floor!

9. Can beginners dance with experienced dancers?

Of COURSE! The people you should feel most comfortable dancing with are your teachers and your class mates. It can be intimidating asking strangers to dance, but the lindy hop world has a grand tradition of making friends through dance - so be brave!

And don't worry about 'making mistakes' or 'not being good enough' - social dancing isn't meant to be a perfect routine. It should be full of unexpected things, and opportunities to try new things!

The only time you should apologise is if you stand on someone's foot or accidentally hurt them.

10. Can experienced dancers dance with beginners?

Of COURSE! New dancers are discovering lindy hop for the first time, and their enthusiasm will remind you that lindy hop is wonderful.

And don't worry about 'making mistakes' or 'not being good enough' - social dancing isn't meant to be a perfect routine. It should be full of unexpected things, and opportunities to try new things!

The only time you should apologise is if you stand on someone's foot or accidentally hurt them.

11. What sort of music is played?

Swinging jazz!

Swing Dance Sydney believe in promoting swing music from the 1930s, 40s, and 50s. So we hire DJs and bands who specialise in this music. You'll recognise songs from class, but you'll also hear new songs. The speed of the songs will vary - from slow to super fast! Think of each new songs or tempo as a chance to try something new. But don't be afraid to sit out a song if you find it a bit too intimdiating!

You can read more about swing music on our Music page.

12. What's the etiquette with live music?

Swing bands work hard to put together sets that work for dancers, so it's cool to let them know you care. Applaud each song, and if you can, applaud the solos. When the band members are introduced, applaud them all enthusiastically too.

If you're dancing at a live music gig in a bar, it's often a nice gesture to buy a musician a drink. And feel free to stop and chat!

If the band is dancing at floor level, keep an eye out for their microphone stands. There's nothing worse than knocking over a mic or a music stand!

13. What is a snowball?

Snow balls are a lindy hop tradition designed to get everyone up and dancing. One couple begins dancing, and when the MC calls "Snow ball!" two dancers cut in to dance with each of the dancers in the couple. When the MC calls "Snow ball!" again, four dancers cut in to dance with the two couples already dancing. And so on, each call adding more dancers onto the floor.

It's lots of fun, and everyone can join in.

14. How do I solo dance socially?

The simplest way is to just get on the dance floor and rock out. Make sure you don't kick anyone, and if you do, apologiese immediately.

If that sounds too scary, invite a friend onto the dance floor. You could say something like, "Do you want to try some solo dancing together?" and if they want to, they'll say, "Sure!"

If you see someone out there, rocking it solo style already, it's usually totally ok to join them, and rock out together.

What if you see two people rocking out together, solo style on the dance floor? Is it ok to join in? This is a trickier one. Do they look like they'd welcome a third person? Or are they really focussed on each other? If you're not sure, maybe don't.

You can always start with lindy hop, and then just let go and rock out, solo style, with your partner on the dance floor. That's excellent fun. But if your partner looks a bit freaked out (some people find solo dancing a bit intimidating), it might be worth getting back into contact and going back to partnered stuff.

There really aren't any rules on this one: try things out, and remember the only serious rule of jazz dance: apologise if you bump or hurt someone.

15. Hey, that dancer touched me inappropriately! What do I do?

We have strict rules about respecting other dancers both on and off the floor at Swing Dance Sydney. You can read about them in our Code of Conduct.

Remember: if you don't want to dance, just say "No thank you!" and it's all good.

If someone's touching you in a way you're not ok with, let them know: "Hey, your hand is a bit low, can you move it up here, please?" And if you're not feeling safe, or if you're worried and need a second opinion, check in with one of our teachers or door managers - we'll help you sort it out!

16. Am I that dancer touching people inappropriately?

Excellent question - we're very glad you asked. Here are some tips. What do you do if someone says...

1. "No thank you" when you ask them to dance.
Be ok with that.
They could have any one of a million reasons.

2. "This is too close for me" ?
Stop!
Let them go and then ask them, "What is the right distance for you?"

3. "That hurts!"
Stop!
Say, "I'm very sorry. How could I do this better?"

Listen up and change your approach. We're all friends here.

Most of us have to learn how to touch other humans in new ways when we start swing dancing.

We talk about these things in class: how to tell your partner you're not ok with how they're touching you, or how to ask your partner if you're touching them the right way. We talk about this every week in our beginner classes, and look at how to give more complex feedback in extender classes.

And we LOVE it when people ask for advice - so ask away!

We have strict rules about respecting other dancers both on and off the floor at Swing Dance Sydney. You can read about them in our Code of Conduct.

If you have more questions about this, check out the 'How do I avoid sexually harassing someone' section of our Code of Conduct.

17. What is a birthday dance/birthday jam/welcome dance/farewell dance?

Another lindy hop tradition!
The goal is to celebrate the special occasion by taking turns dancing with the special person.

The dancer (or dancers) celebrating their birthday, or about to move away, or visiting the city, are invited into the middle of the dance floor. Local dancers step in as their partners, and everyone forms a loose circle around them. Different dancers take turns entering the circle to cut in and dance with the special peeps in the jam.

It's traditional to enter the circle at the beginning of a new phrase in the music, but dancers are often too keen to wait that long!

Be sure to step into the jam to welcome new dancers, or wish them happy birthday or bon voyage!

18. When do we get to do aerials?

When you have:
1. Learnt them with an experienced teacher and spotters,
2. Practiced with one partner,
3. Both of you agree (in words!) each and every time you'll do one on the dance floor.

Lindy hop etiquette is to save air steps for jams or performances, and to dance them only with trusted partners.

It's unsafe, and anti-social to perform air steps in any other setting.

Aerials, or acrobatic 'air steps' are one of the most famous parts of lindy hop. Yet when performed in unfamiliar, crowded, or uncertain settings, they can be very dangerous.

19. What is a jam?

Another social dancing tradition!
If you see a couple or solo dancer pulling out some great moves, it's cool to clap and cheer them on.
Other dancers might form a loose 'jam circle' around them too, clapping in time to the music and cheering on the dancers.

If other dancers are inspired, they'll take turns entering the circle to pull out their stuff.

ANYONE is welcome to enter a jam circle!
This is the one place on a social dance floor where aerials are welcome (but only with trusted and familiar partners!).

Etiquette encourages dancers to enter the jam at the beginning of a new musical phrase, or when the dancers in the circle finish their particular trick.