FAQ's
New to swing dancing? Got questions? Let’s see if we can answer them for you.
What we get asked the most…
You’ll be surprised to know you might have more questions than you realise, so we’ve tried to answer as many as possible right here.
General
We specialise in ‘Swing’, a group of dances done specifically to swing music (and other swing-able music). Each month our classes will focus on one of the three popular styles – Lindy Hop (8-beat), 6-beat and Side-by-side Charleston.
But we don’t stop there! Swing Patrol teaches a range of other great swing-era dances such as Balboa, Charleston, Shag, Blues, solo jazz… almost too many to name!
‘Swing’ is a style of dancing AND music. Lindy hop, one of the most known styles, was born and mastered in African American communities in New York in the 1930s. Lindy Hop later spread to mainstream America, and even made it to Hollywood. In fact, all the Swing dance styles can trace their history back to their African American roots!
Swing music commonly falls under the collective genre of jazz, and has a rhythm that you will have definitely encountered at some point. This style was made hugely famous by musicians and singers like Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong and many more.
Swing dancing suits swing music. It can be upbeat and flashy or slow and cool. Whatever the pace, the dancing is always an expression of the music. Chances are you are reading this page because a friend told you about swing dancing. They can tell you more about what we teach, why they love it and how hard it is to swing without smiling.
We teach the dances that fall under the umbrella term ‘Swing’, which includes, Balboa, Blues, Lindy Hop, 1920s Solo and Partnered Charleston, Collegiate Shag and Solo Jazz and more. We’re really obsessed with Swing, so we don’t teach Ballroom, Latin dances, Jive, West Coast Swing, Hip Hop or other dance styles.
We do! You can chat to your regular teachers in class about private lessons or email at [email protected]
Classes and socials
Anything comfortable that you can move around in. Some dancers come straight from work, others make a night of it and dress up a little. Lots of our students just wear casual clothing.
We do recommend shoes that you let you move comfortably and won’t be too sticky on the floor, and shoes that will stay on your feet (like street shoes, trainers, but not stilettos).
As long as you are comfortable though, it’s ok by us!
No bookings, registration or membership required for our regular weekly classes. They all run on a casual basis – just drop in anytime and pay at the door. On the rarest of occasions when a class is too full we will need to cap numbers (like the first class of the year) so we recommend getting there early.
For workshops, it’s a good idea to book in advance if you want to attend, as these have limited places and sometimes sell out. And the online prices are discounted. Online bookings are available until usually the Friday before the workshop/event. After that, tickets are available at the door for cash payment only, unless otherwise indicated on the website (eg. “Sold Out” or “No tix at the door for this event”).
Absolutely not! We change partners frequently throughout the lesson, so everyone gets the chance to dance with different people, for a taste of lead & follow social swing dancing. So bringing a partner is not necessary.
We do ask people to join in the rotation and dance with everyone. It can be beneficial to the learning experience to feel what it’s like to lead or follow a move with a variety of people, of different sizes, strengths, abilities etc. Not only is it lots of fun, dancing with lots of people accelerates your learning hugely. Of course, the key focus of any Swing Patrol class is having fun and enjoying yourself, so if you’re really not keen to change partners, it’s a good idea to mention it to the teachers so they can accommodate.
Swing dancing is a partner dance (except solo jazz), in which there’s a Lead and a Follow. Whether you choose to lead or follow in class is entirely up to you, and is not in any way related to your gender or how you identify.
In Swing, the lead instigates the moves and shape of the dance while the follow interprets and completes those moves, so if you are someone who likes to be in the driving seat you might enjoy leading, while if you prefer to go with the flow then you might like to follow. Many of our dancers love to do both roles which means you can dance with everyone! However, it is a little easier to focus on just one role while you’re first learning to dance.
Absolutely! Our level 1 classes always assume no prior knowledge so we always start at the beginning but learn something new every week. You’ll be surprised how much you can learn in an hour. Ultimately though we just to make sure you’re having fun while learning.
Attendance is on a casual basis. If you miss a class it doesn’t matter at all. If you miss a few weeks and you feel concerned, you may like to book yourself in for a one-on-one private lesson or join a Dance in a Day workshop.
Simply ask your teachers about private classes or email [email protected]
What level am i?
This class is for everyone from absolute beginners, to dancers who’d like to work on improving their basics. Even if you have never danced Lindy Hop (or anything else for that matter) this class will equip you with what you need to know.
We teach in 4 week blocks of focusing on 6 and 8 count Lindy Hop, 20s and 30s Charleston basics, with a few fun variations. You can drop in any time, as every week we teach the basics, and don’t worry if you have “two left feet” – we really believe that anyone can learn to dance!
This class is for intermediate dancers who would like to take it up a notch and learn some more challenging steps and variations. You will also learn about musicality and rhythm and refine your lead/ follow technique.
To do the North Sydney level 2 class you’ll need to be an intermediate level dancer with solid swing-out technique, and be comfortable with 8-beat, 6-beat and Charleston footwork. If you’re going to this class for the first time we’ll ask you to do a level check with Jo or Andy first to make sure that this is the right level for you.
This is a more advanced class for dancers who have been swing dancing for a minimum of about 2-3 years and are regularly on the social dance floor.
You will be looking to hone your technique and improve the quality of your dancing, as well as learning some amazing new steps and variations. You will have a strong grasp of the basics and be prepared to spend a lot of time working on areas such as momentum, pulse, led/follow connection, rhythm and musicality. If you are unsure if you are ready, please do approach our lovely teachers for guidance.
We’ll run some advanced workshops throughout the year to really challenge our more experienced dancers. Make sure you sign up to the newsletter or follow us on Facebook for all the updates.
Safety
Yes. We work hard to build a safe, inclusive and welcoming community for all people – regardless of gender, race, age or neurodivergence. We ask that all attendees observe our Code of Conduct and respect each other.
Swing Patrol Sydney classes and events are LGBTQI+ friendly and always welcoming.
If you ever feel unsafe, unwelcome or just unsure about anything, or have observed something and would like to talk to someone about it, you can approach any of the Swing Patrol event or class organisers, volunteers and door staff – we’re here to listen and help!
Alternatively you can contact us via [email protected] or read our Code of Conduct and Safe Spaces Policy.
Everyone wants to have a good time, so we ask attendees to be observant and mindful of others around them. Here are some general rules and etiquette so everyone can have a fun, safe time:
- We all sweat – some more than others. If in doubt we suggest bringing a spare shirt/blouse/dress, a towel and deodorant/anti-perspirant to use in such cases.
- Strictly no aerials on the social dance floor! You will receive a one-time warning, and if anyone is injured (you, your partner or another dancer/s) you will be evicted from the event.
- Accidents can and will happen from time to time (e.g. stepping on another dancers foot, a misplaced hand etc), so apologise immediately, check if the other person is okay, and try not to do it again. If they need assistance, stop and help them off the dance floor or find a Swing Patrol staff member or volunteer to assist.
- If you feel uncomfortable with your dance partner for any reason, then you have the right to stop and leave the dance floor immediately. If you need to say something you can speak with a Swing Patrol staff member or volunteer.
- Harassment, bullying and or hazing are not welcome and not tolerated.
We’re not party poopers, but we do care deeply about our community. We ask that everyone abide by our Code of Conduct and Safe Spaces Policy. Any decision such as bans (temporary or permanent) or evictions can only be performed and enforced by a Swing Patrol staff member at a Swing Patrol organised class or event.
