Beginner classes
Welcome! If you’ve just stumbled upon Cape Town Swing or swing dancing in general, you’re in the right place. We’re here to help you take your first steps into this joyful world of jazz-era partner dancing.
Ready to Join the Fun?
What Is Swing Dance?
Swing dancing is all about rhythm, energy, and connection—both to the music and your partner. The most popular style we teach is Lindy Hop, the king of swing dances, which originated in the vibrant ballrooms of the 1930s and 1940s. But did you know there’s a whole family of swing dances? Think Blues, Balboa, St. Louis Shag, and more!
At Cape Town Swing, we focus primarily on Lindy Hop and its building blocks to set you up for success on the dance floor.
Since Lindy Hop* originated as a vernacular dance language that was not formally taught and featured lots of improvisation, the way we teach the dance is to imbue some of its characteristics into a facilitated movement space, and to simplify it into patterns that can later be deconstructed.
What to Expect in Class
To make the most of your swing dance journey, we recommend:
- Arriving 10 minutes early to sign in.
- Wearing fresh, comfortable clothes and deodorant (dancing is sweaty fun!).
- Bringing breath mints and an extra shirt if you’re attending a longer session or social dance.
In swing, we dance in roles—leader or follower—but these roles are not tied to gender. Choose whichever role feels right for you!
