About Swing Des Moines!

Who We Are
Swing Des Moines is a group of swing dancers in central Iowa. Our focus is on education - teaching others how to dance, and teaching others about the history of swing dancing, jazz dance, and jazz music in America and the world. 

Our bylaws state that "Swing Des Moines is a nonprofit organization with an educational purpose of promoting and expanding the education and enjoyment of vintage swing dances in the central Iowa area. The organization will achieve this purpose through teaching classes and workshops, giving demonstrations and presentations to area schools and organizations, uniting central Iowa dancers who are interested in swing dance, and educating the public about swing dancing as America’s folk dance."

To achieve this purpose, we teach dance lessons, we give lectures and workshops discussing the history of swing, we give demonstrations of the various vintage swing dances, and we hold regular practice opportunities for our members and others to practice what they have learned while dancing socially (with others), which is essential to successfully learning to dance.

Swing Des Moines has been promoting and teaching swing dance in central Iowa for over 8 years. It was founded by Randy and Sarah Reid in 1999.

Swing Des Moines is a non-profit corporation with Federal 501(c)3 status.

Services We Provide
Swing Des Moines provides many services for the community and local businesses. We are doing our part to enrich the lives of central Iowans by holding regular dances and teaching dance lessons. Our members are active in the community, supporting local bands and venues.

We also serve the business community through participation in corporate events - we can get your employees dancing or your clients' toes tapping with short lessons or demonstrations!

Who Runs this Joint, Anyway?
Randy and Sarah Reid are Co-founders and webmasters and are currently serving as President and Vice President of Swing Des Moines. They have both been dancing since childhood, and took up social dancing in 1997. They've been swing dancing and teaching ever since, and it is their passion! They have a son, Wally, who is with them at every class and dance, born in 2004.

Kevin Spencer, a member of our Board of Directors, is currently serving as Membership Chair. Kevin is super cool and loves to dance every opportunity he gets. Kevin has been dancing for about four years.

Mike Dennis is an enthusiastic member of our Board. He is always willing to volunteer and has lots of great ideas. Mike and his wife Janet have been dancing for about three years.