Where can I swing dance in San Diego?
Check out our recommended venues page for more info.
What should I wear swing dancing?
Any clothes you can comfortably move in and that allow you to freely raise your arms above your head. People typically wear:
- t-shirts
- button down shirts (long or short sleeved)
- stretchy tops or blouses
- dresses/skirts (don’t forget shorts underneath)
- jeans
- athletic clothes
On live music nights, people dress up a little more, but nobody will judge you if you don’t.
What shoes are good for swing dancing?
Flat shoes (like keds or Air Forces) or athletic shoes without tread on the bottom. You should be able to slide a bit on a smooth floor (the more your shoes grip, that could hurt your knees). New dancers: avoid high heels because these can be hard to balance in.
If you start dancing regularly, you may want to invest in dance shoes with leather or suede on the soles. Dance shoes can be a little pricey – one workaround is to buy street shoes and glue leather or suede to the bottom.
Do I need a partner? Or if I have a partner, do I need to dance with other people in class?
No! Classes in our dance scene rotate partners frequently so you get to dance with a lot of people! During the social dance, most people dance with someone different every song.
If you come to class with someone and want to stay with them, you can: just keep in mind, folks who rotate become better dancers more quickly than non-rotating dancers because of experience adapting to different people.
Who leads and who follows?
You can choose whichever role you want, or even switch roles! If you’re someone who likes to plan things and think ahead, you may want to lead. If you like to go along for the ride, you may want to follow. Feel free to try classes as both roles to see what you like: just avoid changing roles in the middle of a class.
Don’t assume that women follow and men lead: many dancers do both, and you won’t be able to tell just by looking at them. If someone asks you to dance and you don’t know them, it’s polite to say “Sure, do you want to lead, follow or switch?”
How do I get better at dancing?
Dance and practice more! Don’t leave right after class – stay for the social dance and ask different people to dance – yes, even the people who look like they’re really experienced. New people keep our dance community going, so we definitely want to dance with you! Everyone has something to learn from someone they haven’t danced with before and we’ve all been beginners at some point.
Who do I talk to if someone/something is making me uncomfortable in class or at a dance?
If something happens that you don’t feel comfortable telling a venue organizer, teacher or DJ, please reach out to Lindy CIRCLE and we can help. The most direct way to contact us is in a private message on Instagram or Facebook.