What is SAA up to?

This coming a week is a little different than usual for us!

Solo Jazz Workshop: Learn the Big Apple!

What: One of the earliest swing line dances, the Big Apple is a fast, fun routine that incorporates solo jazz, a dynamic dance circle, and partner work! Usually performed to “Jumpin’ at the Woodside,” this dance always excites performers and audiences alike. No experience required, so if you’re interested in learning this classic routine, join us on Tuesday for our Big Apple Workshop! You can check out the routine here!

When: Tuesday, November 22nd, from 7:30pm-10:00pm

Where: Mason Hall Room 3463 (419 South State Street Ann Arbor, MI 48109)

Cost: FREE

Instructor: Claire Danna

~~~~~~~~~

No beginner drop-in lesson or social dance this Wednesday, November 23rd!

The University is on break and we are, as well!

Beginner lesson and social dances will start up again November 30th! See our calendar for more details!

Advertisement

Swing I: Intro to Lindy Hop starts TOMORROW, October 25th!

This class takes place immediately after the Charleston class.

Have you been to a few of our beginner drop-in lessons but want jump in with both feet? Or are you a seasoned dancer looking to firm up your fundamentals? Join Emily and Sarah as they explore the essential shapes and rhythms of Lindy Hop! Get more personalized attention in a smaller class size, and build on your knowledge week to week. By the end, you’ll be able to swing out all night and improvise with your partners in fun and musical ways!

No partner necessary!

When: Tuesdays, October 25th – November 15th from 8:30-9:30pm

Where:Mason Hall Room 3463, University of Michigan (click here for directions)

Cost:

  • $12 for a single class
  • $30 SAA member 4-week pass
  • $40 general admission 4-week pass

Instructors: Emily Topham and Sarah Redman

Advance registration required. Click here to register!

Swing I: Intro to Charleston starts TOMORROW, October 25th!

This four week class will cover basic Charleston footwork and moves, hand-in-hand, airplane, Tandem Charleston, Charleston swing outs, and potentially 1920s Charleston. No previous Charleston experience or partner necessary.

When: Tuesdays, October 25th – November 15th from 7:30-8:30pm

Where: Mason Hall Room 3463, University of Michigan (click here for directions)

Cost:

  • $12 for a single class
  • $30 SAA member 4-week pass
  • $40 general admission 4-week pass


Instructors: Claire Danna and Zayne Knuth

Advance registration required. Click here to register!

Dancing during the Covid-19 Pandemic and Monkeypox Outbreak

Preventing Covid-19 Infection
Swing Ann Arbor is still requiring all attendees to wear a mask and provide proof of vaccination (including of a booster shot) when we dance inside. When we dance outside, however, these things are not necessary.

Being Mindful of Monkeypox
Monkeypox is becoming a more serious concern in the US. It is is often spread through close, intimate, skin-to-skin contact.

According to the CDC, symptoms of Monkeypox can include:

  • Fever
  • Headache
  • Muscle aches and backache
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Chills
  • Exhaustion
  • Respiratory symptoms (e.g. sore throat, nasal congestion, or cough)
  • A rash that may be located on or near the genitals or anus but could also be on other areas like the hands, feet, chest, face, or mouth.
    • The rash will go through several stages, including scabs, before healing.
    • The rash can look like pimples or blisters and may be painful or itchy

While there are no known cases of monkeypox in our dance community, we are asking everyone to read up on Monkeypox and be familiar with its symptoms. Click here to learn more.

We will be posting information about symptoms at our indoor events and adding this to our existing Covid-19 wavier.

If you ever feel unwell, please stay home.
Please refrain from attending dance events if you experience covid-like symptoms and/or Monkeypox-like symptoms. Keeping dance alive during an outbreak on top of an existing pandemic is a tenuous balancing act. We do not want to shut Swing Ann Arbor down again out of fear of infection (we were closed for two years due to Covid-19). By being mindful of how you’re feeling and staying home when you feel unwell, you help ensure the longevity of Swing Ann Arbor. Thank you for keeping our dance community safe.

Where is SAA meeting these next couple of weeks?

Good question!

This where we’ll be located the rest of the summer:

  • July 27th: Pendleton Room, Michigan Union
  • August 3rd: Outside, south side of Hatcher Graduate Library
  • August 10th: Vandenberg Room, Michigan League
  • August 17th: Vandenberg Room, Michigan League
  • August 24: Outside, south side of Hatcher Graduate Library
  • August 31: Outside, south side of Hatcher Graduate Library

As always, be sure to check our website calendar just in case!

As a note, our social dances are FREE when we’re outside!

Swing Ann Arbor will be inside the entirety of July!

We’re back in the Vandenberg Room of the Michigan League this coming Wednesday, July 6th! Plan to meet there the rest of July. Our calendar always has our times and locations listed in case you forget!

No beginner lesson or social dance 6/29/22

Reminder: We’re not holding a beginner lesson or a social dance on June 29th. Instead, we’re heading over to Top of the Park to support a few Michigan-based jazz bands that specialize in swing music! The music line-up includes:

  • Djangophonique: 5pm, O & W Grove Stage
  • The Aston Neighborhood Pleasure Club: 7pm, Rackham Stage
  • Planet D Nonet: 8:30pm, Rackham Stage

Our lovely DJ Coordinator, Sarah, will be at the front of the Rackham stage at 7pm if you want to gather and dance. Otherwise, feel free to drop by just to listen!

You can find more information about Top of the Park’s June 29th line-up here. You can find a map of the festival here.

SAA is outside June 1st and June 8th!

Join Swing Ann Arbor OUTSIDE a few Wednesdays this summer! Things are a little different when we’re outside, namely admission and masking. Read on for more info! 

No partner or experience needed. Please keep in mind that we’ll be dancing on cement sidewalks when we’re outdoors. 

WHEN:
Beginner drop-in lesson from 7-8pm, followed by a social dance from 8-10pm!

WHERE:
Outside, on the south side of the Hatcher Library. We’ll be under the large overhang that faces South University Ave. (Check out the map below. The blue arrow is pointing to where we’ll be!)

COST:
Admission to beginner drop-in lesson: FREE! 
Admission to social dance: FREE when we’re outside! 

COVID PROTOCOL: 
Proof of vaccination INCLUDING BOOSTER shot is required to attend any SAA in-person event. We will check this when you arrive. 

Masks are recommended, but not required when we’re outdoors. (Please keep in mind that masks ARE required when SAA holds indoor events, however.)

Always check the calendar for any potential changes on location and time.

New Summer Times Starting May 4th!

Swing Ann Arbor’s times will look a little different this summer! We’re still meeting on Wednesdays: just a little earlier!

Starting May 4th, our schedule will look like this:

  • Beginner drop-in lesson: Wednesdays 7-8pm
  • Social dance: Wednesdays 8-10pm

Please tell your fellow dancers!

Admission

  • Admission to beginner drop-in lesson: FREE!
  • Admission to social dance: $5 or FREE if you take the beginner drop-in lesson!

Location

Beginner drop-in lessons and dances will mostly take place in the Vandenberg room of the Michigan League this semester. Check the calendar for any potential changes on location and time.

Covid Protocol

Proof of vaccination INCLUDING BOOSTER shot is still required to attend a SAA in-person event. Masks are also mandatory.

No drop-in beginner lesson or social dance 4/20/22

Hi folks!

We won’t be holding a beginner drop-in lesson or a social dance this Wednesday, April 20th. Instead, we’ll be holding a social event! This will be an opportunity to hang out, grab some bubble tea, and get to know your fellow dancers off of the dance floor.

Time: 8pm – 10pm

Location: Sweeting (1205 S University Ave, Ann Arbor, MI 48104), a local bubble tea shop

Hope to see you there! And if not, see you on the dance floor next Wednesday, April 27th!