Forthcoming Workshops:
Sunday 8 October - Fast Beginners Lindy Hop & Intermediate Lindy Hop Workshops
Sunday 15 & 22 October - Charleston & Solo Jazz Workshops
Sunday 29 October - Fast Beginners Lindy Hop & Social Lindy for Experienced Dancers
NEW!! Weekly class starting Thursday 2 November - Lindy Hop Classes for Experienced Dancers
Sunday 19 November - Learn to Swing Dance in a Day!
Tuesday 7 Nov – 12 Dec - Journey Through Jazz Swing dance course at Harrow Arts Centre
Next date tbc - Musicality Workshop with Malcolm Earle-Smith & Simon Selmon
Next date: Sunday 8 October 10.30am-12.00pm
Fast-Beginners Lindy Hop Intensive Workshop with Simon Selmon
This workshop with Simon will focus on technique and connection plus of course as many fun moves as we can fit in. The aim is to get you dancing as confidently and as quickly as possible.
No partner required and whilst no experience is necessary, the class will move at a faster pace than absolute beginners and is suitable for those with some experience.
Location: Studio 2, CitySport Studio, 124 Goswell Road, London, EC1V 7DP - Google Map
Tubes: Barbican, Old Street
Sunday 8 October 10.30am-12pm
Cost £15 + bf (before 4 Sept) / £18 + bf after / £20 on the door.
Sunday 29 October 10.30am-12pm
Cost £15 + bf (before 25 Sept) / £18 + bf after / £20 on the door.
Sunday 8th October 12-1.30pm
Intermediate & Advanced Lindy Hop Intensive Workshop with Simon Selmon
Intermediate & Advanced Lindy Hop Intensive Workshop with Simon will focus on a high level connection and body control to enhance your social dance. We will use various moves, some of which may be new to you, as a way to work on our technique but also to explore how we can create multiple variations and stylings around these moves.
This workshop is aimed at experienced dancers who know all the classic moves such as Swing Outs, Lindy Charleston variations, mixing 6 and 8 count etc and are comfortable dancing them but want to fine tune and tidy up how they dance and explore what's possible.
Location: Studio 2, CitySport Studio, 124 Goswell Road, London, EC1V 7DP - Google Map
Tubes: Barbican, Old Street
Limited numbers - Leaders needed!!
Cost £15 + bf (before 4 September) - £18 + bf after / £20 on the day.
Sunday 29th October 12-1.30pm
Social Lindy for Experienced Dancers with Simon Selmon
The class will kick off with footwork and partnered drills for connection & frame followed by building better basics. The second half of the class will be how to incorporate choreographed side by side routines into your social dance.
This workshop is aimed at experienced dancers who know all the classic moves such as Swing Outs, Lindy Charleston variations, mixing 6 and 8 count etc and are comfortable dancing them but want to fine tune and tidy up how they dance and explore what's possible.
Location: Studio 2, CitySport Studio, 124 Goswell Road, London, EC1V 7DP - Google Map
Tubes: Barbican, Old Street
Limited numbers.
Cost:
Leader/Follower: £18 + bf / £20 cash on the day
Couple (Leader & Follower): £30 +bf / £35 cash on the day
Charleston & Solo Jazz Workshops with Simon Selmon
Sunday 15th & 22nd October
10.30-11.30am:
Charleston - Think of the 20s and you immediately think of Charleston capturing the exuberant spirit of the age. (Not to be confused with the swing era 'Lindy Charleston' steps which are part of swing dance family). Shimmying flappers, swivelling footwork and no inhibitions, whether it's solo or partnered, this dance is about having fun and going wild! No partner required.
11.30am-1.30pm:
Solo Jazz - Sometimes known as Jazz Roots or Authentic Jazz was born out of African American vernacular dance of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Think Suzi Q, Truckin' and Fall off the Log - classic solo jazz will add to your Lindy Hop vocabulary and is also great fun to dance on its own! No partner required!
Location: Studio 2, CitySport Studio, 124 Goswell Road, London, EC1V 7DP - Google Map
Tubes: Barbican, Old Street
Limited numbers.
Cost:
Charleston (10.30am-11.30am): £10 + bf (before 4 Sept) / £12 + bf after / £15 on the day per person per week
Jazz (11.30am-1.30pm): £20 + bf (before 4 Sept) / £22 + bf after / £25 on the day per person per week
Lindy Hop Classes for Experienced Dancers with Simon Selmon (less experienced dancers welcome to come for the first hour!)
Starting Thursday 2 November (closed 9 Nov) then weekly from Thursday 16 November!
The class will kick off with footwork and partnered drills for connection & frame followed by building better basics.
The second half of the class will focus on one topic which will vary from week to week and allow plenty of time to practice and get feedback.
Time: 7.15-9.15pm
Weekly cost: £20 (£10 first hour only) - Special trial price for the opening night only £5!! (2 Nov only)
Location: Studio 2, CitySport Studio, 124 Goswell Road, London, EC1V 7DP - Google Map
Tubes: Barbican, Old Street
Sunday 19th November 10.30am-1.30pm
Learn to Swing Dance in a Day! with Simon Selmon
Learn the foundations of Lindy Hop, this popular 1940s partner dance. You will learn both the 6 and 8 count Lindy Hop plus some Lindy Charleston. By the end of this session we guarantee you will be able to dance a whole song - and smile at the same time!
This workshop with Simon is for absolute beginners and those who have been dancing 6 months or less. No experience necessary or partner required.
"I LOVED last Sunday’s session – well attended but not crowded, very friendly participants, good-humoured witty tuition (with great explanations, vivid analogies, crystal-clear demos and eagle-eyed observation & feedback), lots of very useful basics + ‘extension’ exercises, options and sequences, also great to have a couple of experienced generous-spirited leaders." Danielle
Location: Studio 2, CitySport Studio, 124 Goswell Road, London, EC1V 7DP - Google Maps. Tubes: Barbican, Old Street
Limited numbers.
Cost: Advance £30 + bf / £35 on the day
Tuesday's 7 Novembers - 12 December 2023 10.30am-12.30pm
Journey Through Jazz Swing Dance Course at Harrow Arts Centre with SwingdanceUK
Dig out your dancing shoes and learn to Swing dance! It's fun, friendly and a good workout too! During the course, we will be covering two dances: the Lindy Hop and a second social dance from the first half of the 20th Century such as the Peabody, Charleston & Foxtrot. No previous dance experience or partner required.
These accessible dances encourage creativity and innovation and have been enjoying a recent revival. Bring twinkling toes of the 1920s - 1950s to life as we Jitterbug and Jive our way through. The workshops will be taught by international teacher Simon Selmon of SwingdanceUK.com.
This course has been awarded ‘Outstanding’ by Learn Harrow, Adult and Community Learning within Harrow Council. Funded by the Mayor of London.
Location: Greenhill Studio 1, Harrow Arts Centre, Uxbridge Road, Hatch End, HA5 4EA- Google Map
Price: £12 for all 6 weeks - Click here to book your place
Next Date TBC 10.30am-1.30pm
Musicality Workshop with musician Malcolm Earle-Smith & Swing dancer Simon Selmon
Musician Malcolm Earle-Smith, Senior Lecturer in Jazz at Trinity Laban Conservatoire, is joining forces with Swing dancer Simon Selmon to bring you a musicality workshop with a difference!
The aim is to get you, the dancer, closer to the music. We will use solo Jazz and Lindy Hop to both classic swing songs and live music exploring musicality through rhythms, scatting, improvising and creativity. This workshop will help you grow as a dancer and feel the music. This is a hands-on workshop - expect to dance, not just learn theory!
Topics to be covered:
- A history of how Jazz music and dance developed side-by-side
- What makes music Swing & how it affects the way that you dance
- How to listen and what to listen for
- How to respond to what you hear starting with examples of solo Jazz and mini Lindy Hop choreographies leading to your own improvisation
- Interaction between musicians and dancers and how to improvise in the moment
- Learn about the Melody & Rhythm, Riffs, Pitch & Phrasing
- Call & Response
- Copy & trade dance moves with the musicians & fellow dancers
To get the most out of this class, we recommend it for intermediate dancers and above (fast beginners with some experience are welcome but not suitable for beginners).
Feedback from last workshop:
"Loved the passion and learning about music and the interaction between music and dance." Anne P
"....The “conversation” with the trombone was exceptionally fun. Loved having an adaptable so highly talented musician- an incredible privilege."
"Great to hear what Malcolm had to say about the various levels within a song which gave me a new way to listen to music and how to interpret it in my dancing." Gari N
About your teachers:
Malcolm Earle-Smith - a trombonist and singer in many of London's popular Swing dance bands as well as currently Senior Lecturer in Jazz at Trinity Laban Conservatoire (since 2005)....Read More
Simon Selmon - Simon is an international award winning Swing dance teacher ..... Read More
Location: Studio 2, CitySport Studio, 124 Goswell Road, London, EC1V 7DP - Google Map
Tubes: Barbican, Old Street
Limited numbers. Pre-bookings only (no drop-ins).
Cost: Advanced (Until 31 Aug) £35 + bf / After £40 + bf
A great workshop is best shared with friends!
Testimonials
"I LOVED last Sunday’s session – well attended but not crowded, very friendly participants, good-humoured witty tuition ( with great explanations, vivid analogies, crystal-clear demos and eagle-eyed observation & feedback), lots of very useful basics + ‘extension’ exercises, options and sequences, also great to have a couple of experienced generous-spirited leaders." Danielle
"Highly recommend SwingdanceUK, great classes with excellent teaching" Caroline T
"Excellent classes, great fun, make great friends and build confidence!!" Laura M
"Loved the passion and learning about music and the interaction between music and dance." Anne P
"I had a fantastic time yesterday -it was such a joyful experience attending the workshop- it was fab!" Deborah L
FAQs
About your teacher:
Simon is an international award winning teacher who founded SwingdanceUK in 1986 following a trip to NY where he met many original dancers and instantly wanted to share the music & dance that had intoxicated him so much. He believes whilst the dance has changed over the years it is important to educate about its history & social context. To give new dancers the best opportunity to gain the most out of their dancing and to experience the fun & satisfaction of Swing dance. He will take you on a journey back to the heyday of Swing dance. His goal is to share some of that original spirit that he found in the 'old timers', keeping the traditions of the dance alive whilst taking it into the 21 century and he is known for making difficult things easy. Simon has choreographed and performed for stage, film & TV. He has been a UK and US dance champion and a World Lindy Hop Judge. Click here to read more or see Simon in action here
What to wear?
When attending classes, the most important thing is to be comfortable and to wear something you can easily move about in - jeans and t-shirt is absolutely fine.
Shoes?
Comfortable every-day shoes are fine when you are just starting out. Make sure you have something which stays securely on your feet (eg. no flip flops!) and which you can spin easily in (very high heels or trainers with sticky soles are not recommended!).
Disclaimer
Please consult your doctor before beginning any dance or exercise program. Dancing is a physical activity, and as such there is the possibility of physical injury. Please be aware of your surroundings and the suitability of the floor. If you engage in this dance or exercise program, you agree that you do so at your own risk, are voluntarily participating in these activities, and assume all risk of injury to yourself, and agree to release and discharge SwingdanceUK from any and all claims or causes of action, known or unknown, arising out of SwingdanceUK's negligence.
Refund Policy
Bookings cannot be exchanged or money refunded once sold unless the workshop is cancelled by ourselves, in which case a full refund will be processed.
SwingdanceUK proudly awarded…
*Best Swing Tuition Provider 2022* Greater London Enterprise Awards 2022
*Best Swing Dance Studio* Northern Enterprise Awards 2021
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