Jazz Café – Solo Jazz & Routines Practice
An event every week that begins at 6:00 pm on Wednesday, repeating until December 24, 2025
Let’s dance!
6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Solo + Routines practice with Nick Whorley (FREE!)
7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Shag (7PM), Balboa (8PM) with Dabney
9:00 PM – 10:30 PM
Social dancing
$10
No partner required! All ages welcome
September’s lessons include classic solo jazz routines. Master the Nitty Gritty, a popular line dance, and then take on Mama’s Stew, a practice routine used by Whitey’s Lindy Hoppers. While a challenging routine, the instruction will start slowly. Also, expect to break down solo jazz movements to help you isolate different parts of your body. This helps create powerful, stylish movement in these and many other dances.
Jazz Café is an open forum to bring your questions, ideas, and energy. Bring your favorite coffee beans, and the group will grind them for an espresso-fueled power hour. Tea drinkers can also get their caffeine fix with a hot water kettle and a sampling of teas.
Swing out at Guild of the Vale!
Monday night’s social dancing
The Nitty Gritty and Mama’s Stew
Watch the original Nitty Gritty
Watch Mama’s Stew
Social Dancing
You’ll learn swing dance moves in the lesson then the social dancing starts after the lessons end. You’ll see a variety of different dances on the dance floor, including the Lindy Hop, East Coast Swing, Shag, Balboa, Charleston, and maybe some Blues.
Music
The music is created by live DJs who play a range of swing music from the 1900s to the 1940’s, with a mix of fast and slow tempos. From big band to blues, the DJs work hard to bring you the best variety of swing music and welcome requests.
Age Range
The average age at Guild of the Vale is twenties and above.
About Guild of the Vale
Step into the Guild of the Vale and you’ll feel like you’ve been transported back in time – this historic building looks like a castle on the outside, and has a 1,400 sq. ft. fast wood floor and a stage on the inside. The vintage feel is truly unforgettable! The venue is still in the same historic building it has always been in, but with a new name.
Food and Drinks
Bring your own or bottled water is $1 at the door.
Air Conditioning
Yes
Parking
Parking is plentiful, free, and located all around the property, in the middle of a quiet, little neighborhood.
Dance Guidelines
- Masks encouraged but not required
- If you feel even slightly sick, please stay home
- Code of Conduct
New Dancer FAQs
New to swing dancing? We have answers to your questions.
Last Minute Changes
Last minute changes can happen and we don’t always hear about them to update our calendar in time. Just in case, make sure to check the event link below before heading out the door.
Going to the event? Give us a shout out!
Tell the instructor you saw the event on our calendar! 🤙🏻
