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.

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!

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!

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.

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.

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.

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!

We won’t be holding progressive lessons during the month of April. Keep your eyes peeled for updates, though!

Register here!

Who: Remy Kouakou Kouame! Remy is one of the most well known swing dancers in the swing community. He dances, teaches, and performs at events all across the world!

What: a solo jazz workshop catered toward intermediate swing dancers. But! if you are a beginner, please come anyway!

Time: 3-4:30pm. Please arrive at least 30 minutes early to check in.

Cost: $20

Location: Riverside Arts Dance Studio in Ypsilanti, Michigan. 76 N Huron St.

Other details:

Pre-registration required.

A social dance will follow this event from 4:30-6:30pm.

Taking this workshop will get you into the social dance for free! Laura Glaess will be teaching a workshop at this same location from 11-12:15pm, hosted by UMS. You can register for her workshop here. We recommend attending both workshops and spending the day in Ypsilanti! Both workshops accompany the Sw!ng Out performance happening at the Power Center on April 1st and 2nd.

If you need a ride to this event or can drive people to this event, please fill out this carpool form here.

If you have never attended a Swing Ann Arbor event, please fill out our COVID form here ahead of time! Masks are required at this event.

If you must pay in cash, please fill out this form ahead of the event.

On Wednesday, March 23rd, Swing Ann Arbor will not be holding a beginner drop-in lesson or our usual social dance. INSTEAD, Chien-yi Tsai and Clarisse Jorah will be teaching us the Shim Sham!

What IS the Shim Sham?
The Shim Sham is a swing line dance that was originally choreographed by Al and Leon and galvanized by Frankie Manning, the ambassador of Lindy Hop. If you’ve attended our dances before, you’ve probably seen it! It is a routine that every swing dancer should be familiar with and is a great gateway to solo jazz. What does it look like? Check out this video! https://youtu.be/2cUPYkJQ29s

No partner or experience necessary.

Location: Room 3330 Mason Hall (419 S State St, Ann Arbor, MI 48109)

Time: March 23rd from 8:30pm-10:00pm

Admission to this workshop: $5 (payable by cash or PayPal at the door)

COVID Protocol: Proof of vaccination (including of a booster shot) as well as masking wearing is required to attend this workshop!