What is Lindy Hop?
Lindy Hop is an African American partner dance, related to hand dancing of around 1910, that was developed in the 1920’s in the heart of Harlem. It incorporates other dances such as the Charleston, Texas Tommy, Break Away etc. This inspired many other dances such as Jive, Rock n Roll etc. Jiveswing teachers learnt from some of the original dancers such as Frankie Manning and Norma Miller et al.
What music can you swing dance to?
Most people tend to dance Lindy Hop to swing music from the late 1930s to early 1950’s. However since the late 1990s a number of Neo Swing bands emerged, which play a modern version of swing and jazz music, plus their own arrangements. We have a wide range of bands playing music for swing dancers at JiveSwing events.
What shoes do I wear to JiveSwing?
Any comfortable shoes with non-gripping soles, such as leather or suede. A number of dancers at JiveSwing purchase trainers and apply suede to the bottom, which allows them to spin efficiently.
Is the Lindy Hop easy to learn?
JiveSwing teachers are very patient and will teach the class at a pace to accommodate everyone attending the class, whilst breaking every move down into small manageable chucks, to create a fun learning environment.
What clothes do I wear to a swing dance class?
Most people at JiveSwing classes and around the world tend to wear comfortable shoes and loose clothing to dance classes, but may then dress up for social dances and special events.
What are famous Lindy Hop moves?
Basic 8 Count, The Swing Out, The Lindy Turn, The Lindy Circle, Charleston, Tandem Charleston, The Texas Tommy are some of the famous Lindy Hop Moves.
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Local Classes
Join our swing dance classes!
- No special clothing required
- Great way to make new friends
- Fun way to keep fit
- Free refreshments
- No previous experience
- necessary
- No age restrictions
- No partners required
We think we’re the UK’s friendliest swing dance club! No new dancer will ever find themselves stuck watching from the side lines. If you decide you like us, you’ll also enjoy our monthly social dances and all the other social get-togethers & meals that happen on a regular basis.
Upcoming Classes
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Class information
At JiveSwing there are classes taking place every weeknight across Hertfordshire, Essex, and Middlesex (north London), in Lindy Hop, the original swing dance. We also teach other swing dance styles such as Authentic Jazz, East Coast Swing, 20s Charleston, Balboa, Blues, Shag etc.
Jiveswing teachers are currently some of the UK and Europe’s most highly trained and hired international Lindy Hop teachers, keeping in touch with some of the original 1930s/40s dancers as personal mentors and for inspiration.
Whichever class you attend, you’ll get high quality, where our main focus is making things simple and breaking it all down into manageable bits. Classes are taught in a style that makes it fun, friendly and easy to learn. We run in 4-week progressive courses so come and give it a try!