Classes

Weekly classes in the centre of Plymouth

Location: Abbey Hall (behind St Andrew's Church and next door to The Treasury)

Every Tuesday
Next class: Tuesday 19th November 2024 (Party Tuesday)

Class Timings

Standard Tuesdays

Please note that on Party Tuesdays, there is no Level 3 Lindy Intermediates: see details below.

Doors open:		7.15pm
Session 1	Lindy Beginners	7.30 – 8.10pm
Session 1	Practice time	8.10 – 8.30pm
Session 2	Lindy Fundamentals	8.30 – 9.10pm
Session 2	Practice time	9.10 – 9.30pm
Session 3	Lindy Intermediate	9.30 – 10.10pm
Session 3	Final track	10.10 – 10.15pm

Party Tuesdays

Monthly Party Tuesdays include Lindy & Balboa classes.

Next party night: Tuesday 19th November 2024

	Room 1	Room 2	Time
Doors open:			7.15pm
Session 1	Level 1 Lindy Beginners	Level 1 Balboa Core Fundamentals	7.30 – 8.10pm
Session 1	Practice time	Practice time	8.10 – 8.30pm
Session 2	Level 2 Lindy Fundamentals	Level 2 Balboa Next Steps	8.30 – 9.10pm
Session 2	Practice time	Practice time	9.10 – 9.20pm
Session 3	Swing Party: social dancing/practice time to the best Swing Tunes from past and present		9.20 – 10.30pm

For sessions 1 and 2, you can choose freely between rooms 1 and 2.

What's the difference between Lindy Hop and Balboa?

Lindy Hop and Balboa are both partner dances that are primarily danced to swing music. Lindy Hop was born in Harlem in New York whereas Balboa originated on the west coast of America in and around the Balboa Peninsula, California. Lindy Hop is the quintessential swing dance with scope for notable variety. It can be danced to slow, medium and fast tempos and suit a range of styles. The dance can be wild and energetic but can also be smooth, calm and composed. If Lindy Hop doesn't put a smile on your face, you're not doing it right!

Balboa comprises Pure Balboa figures, which are danced in close-hold (meaning that dancers are chest to chest), and Bal-swing figures, which break this convention. Stylish and harbouring an air of sophistication, Balboa is fun to dance and a great addition to your Lindy Hop repertoire. It can be danced to slow songs but is generally associated with faster music. If you're looking for something to suit those super fast tracks without breaking a sweat, Balboa is it!

Pricing

	Door Price (cash only!)
For one session	£8
For any two sessions	£11
For all three sessions	£13

There's no need to book and you can start classes any week. Please note that door payments must be made in cash.

Please ensure you attend the correct class(es) by reading the level descriptions below. If you are unsure, please ask.

Lindy Hop Beginners

Our Beginner classes are always suitable for complete novices so you can literally start your swing dance journey any week. In these lessons, you'll develop your swing groove, learning straightforward footwork patterns and the basics of leading and following. You'll be introduced to simple figures that you can apply straight away during the practice time that follows on from the tuition element of the session. Expect a relaxed, friendly atmosphere with a focus on having fun.

Further details on what to expect can be found here.

Lindy Hop Fundamentals

Once you're comfortable with the six-count figures, which are the focus of the beginner sessions, and you are able to bust out your moves with some confidence, you'll be ready for the Fundamentals Class. With a focus on eight-count patterns, this is where you'll learn and hone the core Lindy Hop figures, establishing yourself as a bona fide swing dancer! For those just moving up to Class 2, we highly recommend for you to take both classes 1 & 2 for some time. Both of these levels will build your knowledge, repertoire & confidence to give a broader understanding of this beautiful dance.

If you're serious about cutting a rug with style, you'll want to spend a decent amount of time at this level. It's not simply about being able to lead and follow the content taught but refining your technique so that you connect effectively with your partner, dance with fluency to increasing tempos and begin to incorporate a little musicality and flair. For this reason, you're likely to find our intermediate dancers in these classes too: the fundamentals can always be developed and refined.

Lindy Hop Intermediates

So, now you can dance! You're confident with the fundamental figures, can swing out at increasingly speedy tempos and you're beginning to actively listen to the music, reacting to the phrasing and accenting musical elements. So what's next? Well, to be honest, the dance journey that you've embarked upon doesn't have a destination; there's always more to learn. Incorporating intricate rhythms, slides, jumps and spins, all wrapped up with new ideas and further technique to aid your connection and open up an even broader array of possibilities, the focus is still on fun but prepare to work hard and give your brain a workout too!

Balboa Core Fundamentals

Our Balboa Core Fundamentals classes are always suitable for complete novices. In these lessons, you'll learn the Pure Balboa basics as well as an introduction to the core Bal Swing figures: Throw Outs, Come Arounds, Lollies, Swivels. The aim of these sessions is to enable you to social dance the basic figures at slower tempos. Expect a relaxed, friendly atmosphere with a focus on having fun.

Balboa Next Steps

Balboa Next Steps assume previous knowledge and are only suitable for dancers with a fair grasp of the basics. Some weeks may be more challenging than others and the prerequisites required will differ. If you'd like to attend but aren't sure if the content is suitable, please ask.

Details

Venue:	Abbey Hall, Behind St Andrew's Church (and adjacent to The Treasury), Catherine Street, Plymouth PL1 2AD
Parking:	You can find on street parking on Catherine Street directly outside the venue. The Guildhall car park is also a stone's throw away. Pay and display is required for both of these options. The cheapest place to park nearby is possibly The Barcode. At the time of writing, this was £3 after 5pm.
Refreshments:	Tap water is provided (bring your own water bottle!). You are welcome to bring along your own drinks, including alcohol.
Code of Conduct:	We aim to be a welcoming, supportive and friendly organisation, and follow the S.T.E.P.S. Code of Conduct, which applies to all team members and attendees.