Swing Time's dance classes are held at the start of every event, including the Wednesday Gulfport Casino Swing Nights, the Thursday Swing Centro dances, and the Friday Swing Time live-music events. Every class runs one hour and covers the basics you'll need that night, plus a variety of steps and moves. In these classes, we teach swing to "anyone walking in off the street", so to speak. Our goal is to get newcomers -- including those with zero prior dance experience -- rapidly up to speed so they can enjoy dancing the rest of the evening. We also strive to cover moves and topics that will benefit experienced dancers. In fact, experienced dancers often take our classes to pick up a new move or two. If you're just beginning, we recommend that you take several of these classes to get started -- just choose a few events and show up to the lesson at the beginning of the event! Since every class teaches a different set of steps & moves, you'll learn something new every time! And whether you're just beginning or have been dancing for years, these classes are a great social as well as learning experience. We rotate partners throughout each class, so you'll get to meet and practice your dancing with dozens of people!
What to expect your first night: A lot of people of all ages attend the swing classes before each event. No partner is needed, and many new people (with little or no prior dance experience) can be found taking each class. Classes run one hour, with a huge dance event afterward. All events are well attended by dancers of all levels and ages from across Tampa Bay and surrounding areas. In fact, people regularly travel from as far away as Jacksonville and Miami to attend the Swing Time events -- the biggest swing events in the State of Florida!
Besides teaching people to swing dance, our group lessons emphasize social interaction and, most importantly, having fun! Both the lesson and the dance are high-energy, exciting, and a lot of fun! Our lessons are a great way to get started swing dancing -- at actual dances -- where you'll be able to both see and dance with people of all levels.
PREREQUISITES: None
WHERE & WHEN: Click Here for Upcoming Classes
COST: Free! with paid admission to event
REGISTRATION: None required. Just drop in the day of event!
INSTRUCTORS: Click Here for More About the Instructors
CLASS FORMAT: One-hour, self-contained, large-group lessons. Each class covers the basics, plus a variety of steps and moves. Each class's steps and moves are different from the last class's (we teach over 35 different sets of steps and moves, at last count!), so you'll learn something new every time. And each lesson is fully self-contained, meaning you never need any prior knowledge to take it!
WHEN TO ARRIVE & WHAT TO BRING: Please arrive at the event at or before the indicated start time. The classes will start very soon after, and you'll want to catch the important steps that start each class. We recommend dressy but comfortable shoes & clothes. Each event provides a full bar (at which bottled water and a variety of drinks are available). Bringing your own water or drinks is NOT permitted at these events.