Jive Junction January 20 at Crossroads Park Elem. in WDM . . . Jitterbug I and 1920s Charlston classes start in February!
 
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Swing Des Moines
swing@swingdesmoines.com
(515) 274-4676

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Swing Des Moines Group Dance Lessons

Class descriptions & schedule About the Instructors Register Online FAQs

How to register:

Option 1: Register online. You may pay online or in person.

Option 2: Register via email. Send us your name, phone number, and the name of the class you are registering for. You may pay in advance via a mailed check, or you may pay the first night of class.

Option 3: Call us. 274-4676 and give us your name, phone number, and class name. You may pay in advance via a mailed check, or you may pay the first night of class.

The only way to pay via Credit Card is to register online and pay online.

**Prices and schedule subject to change without notice** 

 

HELP! I'm a beginner and I don't know where to start! First, welcome! Any of the Level I classes listed below are appropriate for beginners. You may jump in any place you like! If you need help figuring out which class is for you - just ask! For answers to common questions, such as "what do I wear to class" and "what is the average age of your students," please visit the FAQ page.

 

WINTER/SPRING 2012 CLASSES

Jitterbug I: East Coast Swing, or Jitterbug, is a fun, simplified variation of Lindy. This beginning level class will teach all of the moves you need to know and give you a great foundation of lead/follow technique. Many people find Jitterbug to be a great place to start learning. $30 per person/$15 for members.
Tuesdays in February. 7:00-8:00. Taught by Janet and Mike at the Windsor Heights Community Center, 69th and School Street in Windsor Heights.

20s Charleston: 20s Charleston is such a fun and simple dance to learn! Step, touch, step, touch. We'll have you up and dancing like a flapper in no time. $30 per person/$15 for members.
Tuesdays in February. 8:00-9:00. Taught by Janet and Mike at the Windsor Heights Community Center, 69th and School Street in Windsor Heights.

Jitterbug Moves: Add to your Jitterbug repertoire with this fun class. Must have a familiarity with Jitterbug (or East Coast Swing) basics. $30 per person/$15 for members.
Tuesdays in March, 7:00-8:30. Taught by Janet and Mike at the Windsor Heights Community Center, 69th and School Street in Windsor Heights. NO CLASS March 13.

 

Watch our 2012 calendar for these great classes and more:

Lindy I: Lindy Hop is such a fun dance! In this class, you will learn the basics of Lindy Hop, the original swing dance from the 1930s. You'll learn basic 8-count steps to give you a great start in lindy, plus solid lead and follow technique.

Lindy II: Starts where Lindy I left off. Learn more moves, and continue to develop your lead/follow technique, connection, and musicality. We'll learn lots of fun new moves, but not enough to make your brain explode!

Lindy Charleston (30s Charleston): Lindy charleston is sometimes called 30s Charleston. It's the Charleston most commonly danced as a component of lindy or jitterbug. Learn the basics, fun variations, and several super cool charleston moves.

Lindy Moves: Learn new moves for your lindy! We'll teach you a variety of fun moves each week - some easy, some challenging. Assumes you know the basic steps of lindy (swingout, turn in, turn out).

Jitterbug I: East Coast Swing, or Jitterbug, is a fun, simplified variation of Lindy. This beginning level class will teach all of the moves you need to know and give you a great foundation of lead/follow technique. Many people find Jitterbug to be a great place to start learning. $30 per person/$15 for members.

Shim Sham: You've seen this group dance at every Jive Junction, or nearly anywhere that swing dancers get together. Now learn it so that you, too, can participate! Shim Sham is not a difficult dance to learn, and it's a group dance with no partnering until the all-skate at the end. $20 per person/$10 for members.

Boogie Woogie: Boogie Woogie is a fun twist on East Coast Swing that was popular in the 1950s. It can be fast-paced, but it's equally impressive danced at more moderate tempos. No previous dance experience required.

The Big Apple: The Big Apple is a group dance - this means there's no partnering. It's a series of jazz steps and moves that are fun to learn, and can also be incorporated into other swing dances. Mike and Janet make the Big Apple seem easy, and soon you'll be joining us in the circle at Jive Junction!

The CORE: The one and only CORE. The original swing dance survey class in Des Moines, this class has been pleasing students for almost ten years now, and is historically one of our most popular classes. It's ideal for both rank beginners, as well as more experienced dancers. Each week, we'll cover a different swing dance - just the basics of each dance, and just the basic swing dances. Nothing too crazy, just the basics. It gives you a great "core" of knowledge in the swing dances. This class covers dances such as Jitterbug, Lindy, Charleston, Balboa, Shag, and more. $30 per person/$15 for members. (This class does NOT progress, meaning that if you miss one week, it won't impact the remaining weeks. This means it's fine to drop in on just one or two classes. $15 per person per night to drop in.)

Why should I take classes from Swing Des Moines?

1) It's fun!

2) Swing Des Moines makes sure that not only do our students have fun (see #1), but that they learn a lot, too. You will absolutely walk away knowing how to dance.

3) Experience. Our instructors have the experience necessary to make your class a success! With over 25 years combined dance instruction, Randy, Sarah, Mike, amd Janet are experts at helping you learn to dance, improve your dancing, learn new moves, or un-learn bad habits.

4) Swing Des Moines offers a great value. Sure, you could pay more for dance lessons, but why would you? Swing Des Moines strongly believes in keeping our classes affordable!

5) Swing Des Moines is a nonprofit. That means we are working for you and the community, not for ourselves.

 

 

Fine Print

Members: Prices for Members of Swing Des Moines are generally 1/2 price. Members of Swing Des Moines may receive free admission to selected classes and special workshops throughout the year.

Repeating Classes: Members of Swing Des Moines may re-take beginning-level classes an unlimited number of times for $5/person, or Intermediate/Advanced Level Classes for $10/person. (Discounted price begins with the second time a class is taken.) Non-members may repeat classes for $10 off published prices. You must tell us that you are repeating a class at the time you register/pay.

Low Incomes: People with low incomes may take beginning level classes free of charge and higher level classes for a reduced fee. Determination will be made on a case-by-case basis. Note: Full-Time College Students are not typically considered eligible for free or reduced fee classes. Instead, consider purchasing a Student Membership and receiving classes for half price.

 

About the Instructors

Mike and Janet Dennis
Mike and Janet have been dancing for about 6 years and teaching for about 3 years. Mike and Janet bring patience and knowledge to their classes, as well as enthusiasm and a great sense of fun.

Randy and Sarah Reid
Randy and Sarah have been dancing together since their marriage in 1997, and have been teaching together since 1998. They are highly qualified to teach east coast, lindy hop, charleston, balboa, shag, and other dances of the swing era. They have a casual teaching style that focuses on ensuring that students fully grasp the material presented, helping each student to be the best dancer they can.