Swing That Thing is a vibrant dance school located in Norwood, Adelaide. It prides itself on providing a fun and welcoming environment for all individuals to feel comfortable, safe, and included within the community. The school aims to bring people together regularly to learn and enjoy the exciting and dynamic dance of swing.
The school offers a wide range of classes and events for both beginners and experienced dancers. Weekly partnered classes are available on Monday and Tuesday nights, and new students can start every week, making it drop-in friendly. There are also private classes and private group classes for those looking for a more personalised learning experience. Swing That Thing also has a solo performance troupe, inspiring events open to members and the public, and offers dancer hire and booking for private group classes.
Swing dance, a broad term describing various partner dances, originated in the 1920s and 30s in the Swing Era of New York City. The Lindy Hop is the most well-known style of swing dance today. It is a fun and creative dance that allows partners to improvise and express themselves. The swing dancing community is active and friendly, with enthusiasts from all over the world, including South Korea, Chile, and Australia.
Swing That Thing acknowledges and appreciates the African American and Black culture from which this dance style and jazz music originated. To honour the roots of swing dance, the school seeks to educate its dancers about the history and heritage of the art form.
Swing That Thing offers classes on Monday and Tuesday nights at different locations. The Monday class takes place at Estonian Hall in North Adelaide, while the Tuesday class is held at Hungarian Hall in Norwood. Monday's classes include a level 1 beginners' class at 6:00pm, a level 3 advanced class at 7:15pm, and closed troupe training at 8:30pm. On Tuesdays, there is a level 1 beginners' class at 8:00pm and a level 2 intermediates class at 6:45pm.
It is recommended to speak with the teachers to determine if there are any prerequisites for joining the advanced or intermediate classes.
Additionally, Swing That Thing hosts a monthly social dancing night on the last Tuesday of the month. After the regular classes, the social begins at 9:00pm and runs until 11:00pm. The atmosphere is set with dimmed lights and a lively bar. The social is free for those attending the evening's classes or can be accessed with a $5 entry fee at the door for those attending only the social.
The minimum age requirement for the social is 18, but individuals aged 16 can attend if accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
For further information, inquiries, or to get in touch with Swing That Thing, interested individuals can contact the school via email or through their social media platforms.