Down South Swing

Home
About Us
Classes
Workshops
Gift Certificates
Instructors
Special Events
Performances
Links
Contact/Mailing List
Directions
Special Deals

LIFE IS GOOD. DANCE!

To register for classes, click here.

TO REGISTER WITH YOUR GROUPON, CLICK HERE!

Swing 101:  Swingin’ from Scratch!
No pre-requisite. This basic swing class will cover the 6-count patterns in Swing Dancing. Sometimes called “East Coast Swing,” 6-count swing is a versatile partner dance done to classic Swing-Era music, Rockabilly, and many other types of dance music. We'll cover single and triple step timing, the 6-count closed-position and open position basic step and lots turns! We recommend Swing 101 as the starting-place for those who are new to swing dancing.

Swing 201: More 6 Count!
Pre-req Swing 101. A great follow-up to Swing 101, we build on the foundations you've already learned to get you moving and turning with the best of them! This class will go over more 6-count moves to really flesh out your arsenal.  We'll also explore some 2-count, 4-count and other variations to put a little pizzazz into your pocket!  Discount when taken at the same time as LH101

Swing 202: Tuck-Turns and Tricks!
Pre-req Swing 101.  Recommended, but not required: Swing 201  One of the most powerful moves in 6-count, Tuck Turns have so many variations, you'll be able to do a whole dance of JUST Tuck Turns!!  We'll be giving the leads some sweet turns, too, as well as some nice little tricks and slips!


Lindy Hop 101: Can’t Top the Lindy Hop!
Pre-req Beginning Swing.  Lindy Hop is an amazing, energetic dance that developed in the lively ballrooms of Harlem in the 1930's and 40's. In this class you'll learn the three basic 8-count Lindy patterns and how to combine 8- and 6-count moves. This exciting, dynamic dance has loads of improvisation and creativity!  Discount when taken at the same time as SW201


Lindy Hop 201: Moves-O-Rama!
Pre-req: Beg. Lindy Hop.  Spice up that Swing-Out!  This class will help you expand your Lindy Hop vocabulary and introduce you to new fancy 8-count moves and some awesome variations to spice up your basics.Lindy 200s may be taken in any order.

Lindy Hop 202: Style & Substance
Pre-req:  Lindy Hop 101.  So you’ve got Lindy down…sort of.  Come clean it up, reign it in and make it natural.  Solid technique is the key to making your hot moves hotter, your smooth connection smoother, your flash flashier.  Get down to the nitty gritty and make your lindy shine!  Lindy 200s may be taken in any order.

Lindy Hop 203:  Shine Steps!
Pre-req:  Lindy Hop 101. Recommended, but not required: Jazz 101. What is that awesome stuff you saw people doing with their footwork!? Come fancy up your basics with some patent-leather Shine Steps and get a pocketful of tools to help you make some good stuff up on the fly! Lindy 200s may be taken in any order.


Lindy Hop 301: Fancy Pants Moves
Pre-req Lindy 200s.   Get ready to get some Fancy slapped onto those Pants! You'll uncover a whole new crop of awesome moves. Some of them are so fresh, so tremendous that they even defy naming! Be ready to work at a faster pace and really get your vocabulary popping! Lindy 300s may be taken in any order.

Lindy Hop 302:  Lindy Hop at Blazing Speeds
Pre-req Lindy 200s.  We feel the need.....the need for speed! This class focuses on refining your Lindy Hop technique to enable you to dance at blazing fast speeds. We'll focus on connecting with your partner and understanding how to generate and control momentum and energy. You'll also get tips and techniques for dancing to faster music without dying of exhaustion. Feel the burn!  Lindy 300s may be taken in any order.

Lindy Hop 303: Style Points
Pre-req: Lindy 200s.  Are you starting to express the music, but getting stuck in a rut? Needing a shot in the arm and some flash in your cache? Learn to use your whole body as an extension of the music! This class will get you out of your box and give you some sweet styling, footwork variations, and other fun musical movements to up your eye-candy quotient!  Lindy 300s may be taken in any order.

Lindy Hop 304a, b and c:  Lifts & Drops
Pre-req Lindy Hop 200s or instructor approval. Partner required. Aerials and drops are a fun way to jazz up dancing within contest and show dancing. In this class, we will cover spotting, lifting, proper use of aerials and drops and, at all times, safe execution of the basic aerials moves. Air steps are not encouraged in social settings due to safety.  Lindy 300s may be taken in any order.

Lindy Hop 305: Attack of the Performance Lindy Hopper
Pre-req LH 200s or instructor approval.  This class will teach a single Lindy Hop choreography over the four weeks, detailing how to use performance techniques, economy of movement, and stylish hits to make your social dancing POP. A great way to learn new things and hone your moves! Lindy 300s may be taken in any order.


Lindy 401:  Lindy Chocolate
Pre-req Lindy 300s.  Delicious and good for you, Lindy Chocolate will make your dancing melt in your mouth.  Find out just what it means to have a seamless connection at any speed, to be completely in control of your movement, while being a responsive partner.  Not for the feint of heart, this class is going to work your body and your brain and you will come out with a new understanding of Lindy Hop.  Lindy 400s may be taken in any order.

Lindy Hop 402: Flowmentum
Pre-req Lindy 300s.  Listening Leads.  Invested Follows.  Why is it that when some people dance, you can't tell where one person ends and the other begins?  It's all about going with the flow.  Come get carried away.  Lindy 400s may be taken in any order.


Charleston 101: Intro to Tandem
Pre-req Swing 101.  Charleston is that “kicky thing” you see everyone doing!  Come learn the basics of Tandem Charleston and how to pair it with its natural partner, Lindy Hop.  Charleston 100s may be taken in any order.

Charleston 102: Intro to Hand-to-Hand
Pre-req Swing 101.  Charleston is that “kicky thing” you see everyone doing!  Come learn the basics of Hand-to-Hand Charleston and how to pair it with its natural partner, Lindy Hop.  Charleston 100s may be taken in any order.

Charleston 103: Intro to Face-to-Face
Pre-req Swing 101.  Charleston is that “kicky thing” you see everyone doing!  Come learn the basics of Face-to-Face Charleston and how to pair it with its natural partner, Lindy Hop.  Charleston 100s may be taken in any order.


Charleston 201: Shadow Madness!
Pre-req Charleston 101.  Get your Shadowy goodness here! Tandem, or Shadow Charleston has a wealth of turns and moves that you need, NOW! From turns to send outs to reversals, there is almost no end to what you can bring to the floor with Tandem!  Charleston 200s may be taken in any order.

Charleston 202:  Hand-to-Hand Combat!
Pre-req Charleston 102.  Don't try to fight it, you know you need some rockin' hand-to-hand Charleston variations!  This powerful style of Charleston is a showstopper on the social floor and in jam circles!  Charleston 200s may be taken in any order.

Charleston 203:  Swing Out Charleston!
Pre-req Charleston 103.   The daddy of Lindy Hop, Swing Out Charleston gets you to the roots of your lindy while giving you a whole other approach to Charleston.  We'll be doing some classic "charleston-esque" moves, too, like hacksaws and the mini-dip.  Charleston 200s may be taken in any order.


Charleston 301:  Kickin’ it!
Pre-req Charleston 200 classes.  With Charleston in your pocket, you never run out of moves!  This fast-paced class will cover some great new moves and footwork variations in tandem, side by side, hand to hand and more.  Not for the feint of heart, this series is going to ROCK you.  Charleston 300s may be taken in any order.

Charleston 302:  Charleston Choreo
Pre-req Charleston 200 classes.  Charleston is one of the most accessible ways to add choreography (i.e. non-lead moves) to your Lindy Hop.  From Chase to call-and-response, and everything in between, learning some choreography and how to insert it in your social dance is a tool you'll use again and again!  Charleston 300s may be taken in any order.


Blues 101
No pre-req. Not sure what to do when the music slows down?  This class is an introduction to some basic blues connection, some footwork patterns and embellishments.  Whether it’s Billie Holliday, Aretha Franklin, or Buddy Guy, finding your bluesy soul will set you free!

Blues 102
Pre-req Blues 101 or instructor approval.  Building on the material from Beginning Blues, we'll work on some creative movement and moves to accentuate the unique feel of blues music.

Blues 301
Pre-req Blues 201 or instructor approval.  Moving on in blues to incorporate styling, musicality, microleading and more, this class takes the tools you've acquired and makes them shine while adding a whole new dimension to your dance.


Balboa 101
No Pre-req.  This class will introduce you to the classic closed position swing dance of the 1930s.  Balboa allows you to dance at high speeds while looking cool and without breaking a sweat!  Tango shoes, lindy wedges or chromed shoes are best for this class.

Balboa 201:  Intro to BalSwing
Pre-req Balboa 101.  Bal-Swing is a dance from the 1930's, a combination of Balboa and a dance called California Swing, and involves exciting breakaways and fun turns. It is a great dance for all ages and music tempos. We'll cover good technique, transitions into and out of Bal-Swing from pure (closed) Balboa and the basic moves used by balboa dancers everywhere.

Balboa 202:  More Pure Bal
Pre-req Balboa 101.  A great way to build your bal vocabulary, we build on the foundations you've already learned to give you some fancy footwork and other cool stuff you can do in closed position.  Many balboa competitions now require you to dance at least one song of strictly pure balboa in the prelims, so you've got to be able to Bring It! in closed position.  Spice up your pure bal and learn different ways to move around the floor.


Jazz 101
No Pre-req.  All the dancers in the room taken?  Still gotta cut a rug?  Do it to it with some sweet Vernacular Jazz!  Vernacular Jazz is an important and integral part of our Lindy Hop vocabulary and will really help you to feel comfortable with different rhythms. You'll learn your Boogie Backs from your Apple Jacks, your Suzie Q's from your Tacky Annies and and everything in between!  Come get crazy with the jazz!!

Jazz 201
Pre-req Jazz 101 class or prior experience (such as the Shim Sham.)   Move your body into some delicious solo and partner styling with a dash of solo Charleston, a sprinkling of some gourmet vintage steps and topped with a swirl of spinnability.
 

Specialty Classes and Workshops

Gender Bender: How the Other Half Swings!
Following for Leaders
Leading for Followers

Pre-req: Lindy 101 or higher. Take a walk in your partners' shoes for a change! Not only is it a lot of fun to learn the other side of 6-count and Lindy Hop, but it can also make you a better dancer in your "regular" role. Following for Leaders will be ONLY for primary leads (guys, usually) and Leading for Followers will be ONLY for primary follows (gals, usually).