New Dancer FAQs

Most of the swing dancing events on our calendar focus on Lindy Hop and East Coast Swing, often referred to as vintage swing. This style grew out of jazz music in the 1920s through the 1940s and is known for its energetic feel, strong partner connection, and emphasis on musicality and improvisation.

Vintage swing is not the same as country swing, which is danced to country music, or ballroom swing, which follows standardized steps and techniques in a more formal setting. It is also different from West Coast Swing, which is a smooth, slotted dance style typically danced to blues or contemporary music and has a very different look and feel.

Check out our YouTube channel to see what vintage swing dancing looks like

Are you ready to move and groove to some sweet swing music? At swing dance events, there are DJs spinning tunes mostly from the early 1900s through the 1950s. You’ll hear everything from big band to blues, with the music ranging from slow and smooth to super fast and energetic, with an occasional specialty night featuring vintage rock ’n’ roll. The DJs work hard to bring you the best variety of swing tunes, and they’re always happy to take requests.

Want a feel for the music? Listen to these swing dancing playlists on Spotify from Patricio or Debsue

Vintage clothing is always a hit at swing dance events, so feel free to break out those 1930s and 40s looks if that’s your style. Just remember that swing dancing is also a workout, so lightweight, breathable clothing will help you stay comfortable on the dance floor. Try to avoid moisture-wicking fabrics, as they can make it harder for your dance partner to grip your hands or arms.

If you’re a sweaty dancer, bringing an extra shirt or two to change into is always a good idea (thank you, Carlos!). Many dancers also wear bike shorts under dresses or skirts to avoid any awkward peek-a-boo moments while spinning or flying around the floor.

As much as we love bell sleeves and kimono styles, extra fabric can make it harder for your partner to grab onto your arms, so they’re not always the best choice for dancing. Hats are welcome too, just keep in mind that they can make it trickier for hands to go up and over the follow’s head during turns.

Check out our What to Wear Swing Dancing guide for more detailed tips.

You can also browse our Amazon Storefront, where we’ve put together dancer-approved shoes, clothing, and accessories that work well for swing dancing. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases at no cost to you.

Before you hit the dance floor, it’s important to make sure you’ve got the right shoes for the job. Sneakers might seem like a good choice, but their rubber soles can stick to the floor and put unnecessary strain on your knees. Instead, look for hard, leather-soled shoes or shoes with smooth, slippery bottoms. Keds, Toms, and Vans are all popular options and work well with dresses too. Just be sure to test them on a slick surface to make sure they glide easily. And don’t even think about wearing high heels, sandals, or flip flops. They’re not going to cut it on the dance floor.

Check out our recommended swing dance shoes for women in our Amazon Storefront, or jump to the men’s shoe section in our What to Wear Swing Dancing guide.

You’re welcome to bring a friend, but it’s not required. During the lesson, dancers rotate partners, so everyone gets a chance to dance, even if the number of leads and follows isn’t perfectly even. This is a great opportunity to improve your skills by dancing with a variety of people at different skill levels. The lesson is also a great way to meet new people and figure out who you want to dance with during the social dancing portion of the event.

Most swing dance lessons are set up in a large circle, with the instructor teaching from the center. Each person chooses whether they want to lead or follow, and couples form around the dance floor.

The instructor demonstrates the basic steps and a simple move, breaking everything down step by step. You’ll practice with your partner for a few minutes, and then it’s time to rotate. All of the leads or all of the follows, depending on the instructor, move to the next person in the circle. By the end of the lesson, you’ll have danced with a variety of people, which is a great way to build skills and get comfortable dancing with different partners.

Don’t worry if you don’t come with a partner. You’ll rotate throughout the lesson and dance with many different people. And don’t be surprised if you dance with someone of the same sex. Many dancers learn both leading and following to become more well-rounded on the dance floor.

What a swing dance lesson is like

This video is from a beginning Lindy Hop lesson at Hepkats

If you’re a brand new dancer, the lesson gives you a shared foundation. Staying for the social dance is where that learning begins to sink in.

Once social dancing starts, you’ll see a mix of skill levels on the floor. Some dancers already know each other and tend to dance together. Staying gives you time to watch, listen to the music, and practice what you just learned, and it helps you make the friends you’ll dance with on the floor.

Everyone makes mistakes at every level. Social dancing is where things start to click over time, and where learning continues beyond the lesson. Everyone started somewhere, and welcoming new dancers helps the whole community grow.