What is West Coast Swing? How is it different from other dances?

West Coast Swing (WCS) is a smooth, slotted swing dance. It evolved from a smooth style of Lindy Hop here in California and adapted into its own dance form back in the ’50s and 60s. Danced to a wide range of music genres, it is slower than Lindy and East Coast Swing, which are danced to up-tempo swing and big band music, but it is very improvisational, creative, and musical. Often it is defined by the stretch and flow of the dance and its linear shape.

Do I need to know how to dance?

We host 6-week, progressive classes to teach you everything you need to know! Learn more about our classes here.

What role should I dance?

Leaders set the timing for the dance and create the shapes and patterns the follower will execute.

Followers execute the shapes and patterns the leader initiates, and does most of the moving up and down the slot.

You can lead or follow in West Coast Swing, and it has nothing to do with your gender identity or sex. Dance whatever makes you happy!

What’s the age range of dancers?

Most of our students are somewhere in their 20s and 30s, but we get people of all ages: from teenagers to teenagers at heart.

What should I wear?

West Coast Swing is a very casual dance that involves a lot of movement very similar to walking. Because of this, we recommend that everyone wear pants (e.g., jeans, slacks, leggings, sweatpants) and a shirt that you feel good moving in. If you’re prone to sweating (it’s okay, it happens) feel free to bring an extra shirt.

We tend to dance in particular dance shoes, but if you’re new, we recommend comfortable flats or a low heel (1.5in / 3.8cm or less). We also recommend that you don’t wear sticky or rubber-soled shoes as they may hurt your knees when you pivot.

Do you accept credit cards?

Yep. Contactless, too. We even have pre-registration for classes! We’re tech savvy like that.

Do a need to bring a partner?

Nope. Everyone dances with everyone, so no partner required.

I came with a partner. Do we need to rotate in class?

Rotating is not required but it is strongly recommended. Dancing with others is how we learn to improve our leading and following skills, as well as how we get to know our peers in the community.

What is the music like?

West Coast Swing is danced to a wide variety of music from the last several decades. Expect to hear some current top 40, R&B, pop, soul, and blues – everything from Sabrina Carpenter and Bruno Mars and T-Pain to Al Green and Aretha Franklin and Stevie Ray Vaughan.

What is parking like?

Street parking is variable in the area around the Russian Center. Sometimes people find a spot right around the corner with no problem, and other times people have to drive around a bit to find a spot. Please be cautious using any of the nearby parking garages as most of them close at around 9:00pm and you’ll have to pay a hefty fine to retrieve your car after-hours.

I’m an experienced dancer. Do I still have to take the Fundamentals class?

No, but we strongly encourage all dancers to take the Fundamentals series at least once. Here’s why:

1. It ensures every student has the proper technique and understanding of the dance to do well in the Intermediate WCS class – and not infringe upon other students’ learning experience.
2. It supports our growing community by having more experienced dancers spend time with the less experienced students.
3. Any experienced student knows that working on the fundamentals is critical to being an effective, successful, and sought-after dancer. And who doesn’t want to get better and feel good and be the person everyone wants to dance with?

We build our schedule so that more experienced dancers who are taking our Level 2 or Level 4 classes have the option to concurrently enroll in WCS Fundamentals. Plus, if you’re taking the Level 4 class, you are invited to take Fundamentals, for the same role, at no cost! Because we really do want you to keep taking it – to work on your dancing and to support the new members of our community. It’s good for you, it’s good for other students, and it’s good for our community.
If you are taking Fundamentals in while in Level 2 or Level 3, or for the opposite role, you will be required to pay for the class.