Frequently Asked Questions
Most questions that we receive on a regular basis can be answered by information that is already on our Web site. But if you haven’t found the answer you need, check here! If we still haven’t answered your question, send us an email.
Q: I know some East Coast Swing. Which of your classes is right for me?
A: It depends on what you want to learn! We recommend either our Lindy Hop 101 class or Swingout Seminar. If you want to brush up on your East Coast basics as well, take 101. If you are a more experienced East Coast Swing dancer, you will do fine in our Swingout Seminar, in which we teach and focus on the basics of Lindy Hop. Find out more on our Classes page >>
Q: Do I have to have a partner to take any of your classes or come to any of your dances?
A: No! No partner is required. In our classes, we rotate partners, so even if we have more of one gender than the other, everyone will get to participate. Plus, dancing with everyone will make you a better dancer more quickly. You don’t need a partner for our dances either. Lindy Hop is a social dance, so you should be dancing with everyone!
Q: What is the Lindy Hop and how is it different from East Coast Swing or what I learned in my Ballroom class?
A: Long story short: the Lindy Hop is the grandfather of all swing dance and began on the streets of Harlem in the 1930s and 1940s. Arthur Murray modified the Lindy Hop to make it easier for the general public to learn, and thus East Coast Swing was born, further evolving into today’s Ballroom Swing. East Coast Swing is a 6-count pattern that is easier to learn; Lindy Hop is a more complicated 8-count pattern. We teach the Lindy Hop: it’s less rigid and is very high energy! Learn even more about the history of Lindy Hop >>
Q: What is the age range of people who attend your classes and dances?
A: We have had participants who are anywhere from high school age through their 70s! The most common age range of our students is 20s – 50s.
Q: What should I wear?
A: Whatever you are most comfortable in. Jeans, khakis, skirts – whatever floats your boat. Ladies, if you wear a skirt, be sure to wear bloomers or Spanx underneath! We recommend casual dress for our classes and most of our dances. For weekend dances, especially if there’s a band, we recommend that you dress a little nicer. If we recommend vintage for a dance, we’ll note it in the event information.
Q: What kind of shoes should I wear?
A: The type of shoes often depends on the type of floor you will be dancing on. However, in general, we recommend flat, smooth-soled shoes for beginners. We do not recommend that you purchase actual dance shoes until after you have completed Lindy Hop 101. Dance shoes are an investment, so you want to be sure you'll be committed to dancing the Lindy Hop before spending the money. If you’re ready to invest in shoes, we recommend Aris Allens.
Q: Where can I buy dance shoes?
A: We recommend Dancestore.com, which is owned and operated by swing dancers, for swing dancers. Dancestore is an Aris Allen retailer. Aris Allens are our favorites! You might also try either Morris Costumes or Lebo's in Charlotte.
Q: What kind of floor does the venue have?
A: We will include the floor type in our venue information. Check out the Locations page for more there. Real dance shoes are great on floors with a moderate slickness (i.e., hardwood). The Galleria Caribou Coffee has ceramic tile flooring, which is slick. Smooth-soled shoes are great on this floor, and even shoes with a little bit of rubbery traction are good to keep you from falling. You can wear your Aris Allens at Caribou, but they might be a little too quick.
Q: Nobody ever asks me to dance. What should I do?
A: Get proactive and ask someone to dance! Especially in a scene like ours, which is follow-heavy -- meaning there are a lot of ladies! -– you cannot be timid if you want a dance.
Q: Can I take private lessons with you?
A: We do offer private lessons but request that you attend one of our group lessons, if you are a beginner. It is more cost-effective for you and more efficient for us. If you're looking for more specialized instruction, perhaps on more advanced technique or moves which we do not commonly offer, or in preparation for a wedding, private lessons could be more appropriate. For more information, visit our Private Lessons page >>
Q: Do you have a mailing list?
A: Yes, we do have an email list, but no snail mail at this time. See the "Join Our FREE Email Mailing List" box in the upper right-hand corner of this page? Click on that and sign up today! Be sure to check your email and confirm your email address using the link that you'll receive. Otherwise, you won't get our email newsletters.
Q: What is the best way for me to find out about upcoming dance events and classes?
A: You can find out about events in three ways: (1) visit our Web site regularly, (2) sign up for our email newsletter using the icon in the upper-right hand corner of this page, or (3) become a fan of our Facebook page!
Q: Do you ever teach anything other than Lindy Hop? I want to learn…[Tango, Salsa, Blues, etc.]?
A: We only teach the Lindy Hop and related dances (Balboa, solo Charleston, partnered Charleston, etc.) Periodically, we will offer Blues classes. For any other class that is Ballroom-related (Tango, Salsa, etc.), please contact a local ballroom instructor.
Q: How many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Roll Tootsie Pop?
A: What do you think? Email us your answer!