No, in class partners will be rotating frequently.

We recommend that you practice dancing with different partners. Dancing with only one partner will create good connection between the two people, will help you practice the patterns that both of you know and learn them faster. BUT there's a risk of learning to dance incorrectly. Besides you won't learn how to adjust dancing with different partners, be flexible as a follower or a leader, learn new moves...

It's individual, depending on how quickly you pick up, how much you practice and how much you want to learn. Once you've learned the basics of this dance, you are to figure out how many patterns you want to learn to add to your dance repertoire.

Progressive series mean that we'll begin with basic steps of a particular dance (like Salsa, for example), and then move to more elaborate steps, reviewing and improving what we've already learned at the previous lesson)

We see taking progressive classes as the ONLY WAY for BEGINNERS to learn how to dance. Drop-ins are good in case you want first to check out this very instructor or school or dance. They are also good for intermediate to advanced students who want to add more moves to their dance repertoire

1. "Fashion Pulse" 440 Clement Street @ 6th Avenue SF, CA 94121
(415) 831-2618

2. "SF DanceWear", 650 Mission Street @ 2nd Street SF, CA 94105
(415) 882 7087

Swing music has an infectious accent on the upbeat and makes even non-dancers tap their feet, and snap their fingers. The most elemental definition of Swing dancing is any style of dancing to Swing music, and there are hundreds of styles. Swing dancing is usually characterized by its bounce and energy as well as lots of spins or under arm turns.

The original style of Swing dancing is the Lindy Hop which was named by Shorty George Snowden in 1927 after Charles Lindberg's famed nonstop flight across the Atlantic. Known by many for its acrobatic moves called arials, Lindy Hop is also danced socially featuring 8 count and 6 count patterns, often with kicking or Charleston steps. Examples of Lindy Hop can be seen in recent movies such as Malcom X or Swing Kids, or older movies like A Day at the Races or Hellzapoppin. There are many different definitions and styles, but when most people refer to basic swing dancing, they are referring to a simplified version of the original Lindy Hop, favoring 6 count moves and also referred to as 6 count swing, east coast swing, jitterbug, and Lindy.

6 count swing can be danced to jazz or big band music from speeds of 110 beats per minute to 300 beats per minute, but most people enjoy dancing to the 120-180 beat per minute range. The 6 count basic can be modified in many ways, but is most common as rock-step, triple-step, triple-step (often referred to as triple time or triple step swing) or rock-step, step, step (often referred to as single step or single time swing). 6 count swing is easy to learn, especially when done with the single step rhythm. The triple step rhythm is better suited for slower songs, and can be substituted for the single step once you are comfortable with the steps. Swing music and dancing are two of the most important cultural imports of America, learning how to dance can be a great way to connect with a part of our history.

11. What is the difference between East Coast and West Coast Swing?

East Coast Swing is also similar to Jive, which is an International style ballroom dance used at dance competitions. It is generally danced in standard dance position with leader and follower facing each other. East Coast Swing is upbeat and very easy to learn. West Coast Swing is danced to the blues and contemporary music; typical West Coast Swing artists are Bonnie Raitt, Tracy Chapman, John Lee Hooker, Eric Clapton, Taj Mahal, and Joe Cocker. It is danced in a "slot", which means the follower moves back and forth around the leader in a straight narrow path known as a "slot". Leaders and followers must each know their steps independent of each other, and for this reason West Coast Swing is known as a "smart" dance. West Coast Swing is playful, sensual, earthy dance with syncopated rhythm which can be a bit tricky to pick up at first. At advanced levels, the follower has more autonomy and control over her steps than in any other ballroom dance.

Yes, it's considered to be absolutely appropriate for a follower to invite a leader, and vice-versa.

No. They started out from the same roots, but location, time and the nature of dance have made them separate dances. The American and International ballroom tangos are COMPLETELY DIFFERENT from the tango danced socially in Argentina, different in everything: posture, embrace, improvisation, movement, balance, steps, and music.

If you have a background in ballroom tango, just think of Argentine tango as a completely new dance-not as an enhancement of the one you already know.

Argentine tango is a highly IMPROVISATIONAL dance based on the four building blocks of walking, turning, stopping and embellishments. The dance is like a puzzle that gets put together differently each time. Women and men bring their own styles and embellishments to the dance. Even though dancers follow certain conventions, they never quite know how someone will construct a dance, add an embellishment or interpret the music. The surprises possible within the dance are what make the dance so addicting, exciting and unpredictable. It really does take two to tango, because the dance isn't just about the man leading and the woman following. Both partners have important things to contribute-like all good conversations.

The tango you see on stage is related to social tango, but it is also very different. Stage tango is called "FANTASIA" and is more theatrical and exaggerated than social tango.