Swing Ann Arbor has two special events in August: an Instructor Workshop on August 13th and a St. Louis Shim Sham Workshop on August 15th!

What: Join Angel Jenio, Eric Wu, and Ike Swets as they share tips, wisdom, and advice on swing instruction! 

This workshop will be broken into two parts. In part one, Angel, Eric, and Ike will share their approaches to teaching, how to prepare for a lesson, what they do while teaching, things they do after a lesson, and how they develop themselves as teachers. In part two, workshop attendees will practice designing and developing a lesson plan, getting feedback in real time. 

This workshop is for experienced swing instructors, those just getting started with teaching, and those in-between! 

When: August 13th, 2-5pm

Where: Mason Hall Room 3437, University of Michigan

Cost: FREE

Facebook event: click here

What: Created by Jon Tigert in (you guessed it!) St. Louis, the St. Louis Shim Sham is now a favorite line dance of swing dancers everywhere! Join Max and Zayne to learn this fun, beginner-friendly line dance! No original Shim Sham or solo jazz experience necessary. After this workshop, you’ll know just what to do when the DJ plays “Murder” He Says!

Curious what it looks like? Check it out here.

When: August 15, 7:00-9:30pm

Where: Anderson Room ABCD, Michigan Union

Instructors: Zayne Knuth & Max Okros

Cost: $5 (Cash, check, or PayPal)

Facebook Event: click here

WHAT: 
Got your Shim Sham down pat? Level up your line dance skills and learn the Tranky Doo! Emily and Laura will lead you through this Swing Era classic, expanding your vocabulary and increasing your confidence in Solo Jazz. The next time Tuxedo Junction or The Dipsy Doodle comes on at a dance, you’ll know exactly what to (tranky) do! 

Previous solo jazz experience is helpful but not required. You just need to be comfortable with basic rhythms. 

Wanna get a taste of what the Tranky Doo looks like? Check it out here: https://youtu.be/Rxl8x7KW2dc

WHERE: 
Anderson Room ABCD (1st floor), Michigan Union 

INSTRUCTORS: 
Laura Kurek & Emily Topham 

COST: 
$5 per person (Acceptable forms of payment: cash, check, or PayPal) 

COVID POLICY: 
Proof of vaccination required. If proof of vaccination cannot be shown, attendees must wear a mask the entire length of the event instead. 

SAA has new hours from here on out!

• Beginner lessons will now be from 6:30-7:30pm on Wednesdays

• Social dances will now be from 7:30-9:30pm on Wednesdays

Proof of vaccination (including of a booster shot) still required and masks recommended!

There is no lesson or social dance tonight, April 19th, but our new times will resume next Wednesday, April 26th.

See you on the dance floor!

We won’t be holding a beginner drop-in lesson and social dance tonight, April 19th. Instead, we’re having a DJ workshop!

What: Wanna learn how to DJ for swing dances? Look no further! Experienced swing DJs Matt Oonk, Clarisse Jorah, Kenny Schabow, and Max Okros will share tips, wisdom, and advice. 

Topics will include: how to find music, music style and history, using a PA system, and adjusting for tempo and skill level.

We will have snacks! We will also be raffling off a $20 Bandcamp gift card for you to start building your music library!

When: April 19th, 7:30pm

Where: Mason Hall Room 1401, University of Michigan

Cost: Free!

Swing Ann Arbor will be offering a Balboa Fundamentals progressive lesson series this April! This class will meet three Tuesdays in April. Topics will include: Basic footwork, connection, out and ins, lollies, and toss-outs. No previous Balboa experience or partner needed. Just bring a comfy pair of shoes. 

WHEN: 7:15-8:45pm on Tuesdays in April (April 4th, April 11th, April 18th)

LOCATION:
Mason Hall Room 1401, University of Michigan

INSTRUCTORS:
Ben Sun & Emily Topham

PRICING:
General Admission 3-Week Pass: $36
SAA member 3-Week Pass: $30
Individual class: $12

Acceptable forms of payment: cash, check, or PayPal

REGISTRATION: 
Please register in advance by filling out this brief form: https://forms.gle/4JBfhpxq9zZGFHm77

COVID PROTOCOL:
Proof of vaccination (including a booster shot) required. Masks highly recommended. 

Two of our progressive lesson series classes start up next Tuesday, March 7th! We’ll be offering Swing I: Lindy Essentials and Swing II: Swingout Intensive on Tuesday nights.

SWING I: LINDY ESSENTIALS/ESSENTIAL VOCAB

What: Been enjoying the beginner lessons but wonder what’s next? Want more time to delve into footwork and partner connection? Then this progressive class is for you! Join us to get comfortable with 8-count Lindy Hop in a variety of shapes and speeds. We’ll build a strong base in footwork, frame, & connection and apply that to yo-yos, send-outs, Lindy circles and swingouts over the course of 4 weeks so you can feel comfortable dancing 8 count on the social dance floor!

When: 7:15pm-8:15pm on Tuesdays in March (3/7, 3/14, 3/21, 3/28)

Instructors: Sarah Redman & Zayne Knuth

SWING II: SWINGOUT INTENSIVE

What: There is nothing more satisfying than a good swingout! This is the perfect opportunity for dancers who have just learned a swingout or for those who are looking to refine their moves. This progressive lesson series is set up to help you improve your swingout technique and give you fun variations to add to your dancing. Over these four weeks, we will talk about elasticity, speed, shapes, pathways, and style. We hope to build your confidence for all the swingouts to come.
When: 8:30pm-9:30pm on Tuesdays in March (3/7, 3/14, 3/21, 3/28)

Instructors: Claire Danna & Kevin Wei

GENERAL INFORMATION FOR BOTH CLASSES

Location for both classes: Mason Hall Room 1401, University of Michigan

Pricing for each class:

• General Admission 4-Week Pass: $40
• SAA Member 4-Week Pass: $30
• Individual Class: $12

Acceptable forms of payment: cash, check, or PayPal

Registration for each class: For planning purposes, please register in advance by filling out this short form.

Covid policy: Masks recommended, proof of vaccination (including of a booster) required.

Hi folks!

Due to the projected weather forecast, SAA is canceling our beginner lesson and social dance planned for tomorrow.

If you’re still itching to dance, check out the other dance scenes in the area! Info can be found here.

Due to the snowy conditions, SAA is canceling our beginner drop-in lesson and social dance tonight.

Catch us next week in the Vandenberg Room of the Michigan League from 7-9:30pm!

Until then – stay home and stay safe, friends!

SAA is offering memberships again this semester!

Memberships cost $55 ($56.70 if you use PayPal to offset fees). Fun perks of being an SAA member include:

• FREE admission to our weekly social dances
• A free Swing Ann Arbor t-shirt (once per academic year) and sticker
• Discounts on lessons, workshops, and special dances
• The ability to vote on the next executive board of SAA

We are currently only offering semester memberships. This means that if you were a member last semester (Fall 2022), you will need to renew your membership to stay a member this semester (Winter 2023). Anyone can be a member of SAA: you do not need to be a student of the University of Michigan to sign-up!

Click here to buy a Winter 2023 SAA membership!

There are a few changes this semester we want you to be aware of!

1. We reopen tomorrow, January 4th! Our first social dance of the year will be FREE, as well.
2. Our beginner drop-in lessons will take place every Wednesday from 7:00pm – 7:50pm this semester
3. Our social dances will take place every Wednesday from 7:50pm – 9:30pm this semester
4. Proof of vaccination (including of a booster shot) is still required to attend SAA events. Masks are recommended (and provided if needed).