Workshops

PEASE NOTE:

We have changed our payment system to online payments. All vouchers and credits will of course remain validity – please contact us to redeem them at registrierung@thelindycats.at

In all our workshops the dance partners are changed regularly!
The number of places is limited. If smaller groups than expected are allowed, first come, first served.
Classes are held in German and English.

In the unlikely event of problems with registration, please contact registrierung@thelindycats.at.

Dances of the Swing Era

Lindy Hop

Lindy Hop is nowadays the most well known and most wide-spread among the swing dances which are experiencing a comeback since the end of the 20th century. Created in Harlem, New York, in the Roaring 20s, it soon became due to legendary performance groups such as „Whitey’s Lindy Hoppers“ the most famous dance of the Swing era.

Building up on its own technique, the dance allows a lot of room for improvisation and interpretation of the music it is being danced to. Thus, every dancer can bring her/his own style into the dance and develop it with their dance partners.

We offer regular Lindy Hop workshops in six levels. Here is a playlist with songs especially suitable for beginners.

Collegiate Shag

Like the Lindy Hop, Shag has its roots in the 1920s and 1930s, particularly favoured and wide-spread among College Kids – hence the name.

„…Collegiate Shag exudes youthful exuberance. Its bouncy hops and purposefully gawky, whimsical style give it a fun-filled flair.“ Tamara Stevens „Swing Dancing“, 2011, p. 120

A little bit of history… from swing dance historian Peter Loggins. Here is a playlist with songs especially suitable for beginners.

Balboa

Balboa was created in the 1920ies, concurrently with Charleston and Lindy Hop. The dance is characterized by the close dance pose, and the dance experience is originates from subtle weight changes and playful footwork. It is danced primarily to fast music and due to its space-efficient nature it is well suited on crowded floors. Through combination with moves from Charleston and Lindy Hop, Balboa is transformed into Bal-Swing. Watch this video if you want to learn about Balboa’s history. Here is a playlist with songs especially suitable for beginners.

Authentic Solo Jazz

From the flying feet of the Flappers to the famous choreos like The Big Apple, you can dance to jazz! The jazz music of the 1920s to 1940s and solo moves, that’s what Authentic Jazz is all about. This includes technique, rhythm, improvisation and styling as well as choreography to give the moves their own accents and to experiment with them. Authentic Jazz is an ideal addition for all those who have already had a taste of swing dance and want to get really creative.

Charleston

The „iconic“ dance of the 1920s, the Charleston still enjoys great fame for its kick steps, crazy knees and other „wild“ moves. You can dance it both solo and in pairs, it is rather well suited for fast music.

Solo Charleston is usually being thaught in choreographies but the different steps are very useful, if you don’t have a partner at hand or wish to dance alone.

Slow Drag/Authentic Blues

Slow Drag is a couple dance from the early 1930s with African-American roots. We dance to slow blues and jazz music. Historically seen, this dance is considered one of the origins of all swing dances. The dance is strongly connected to the music and is danced individually very different, like the music is played in many ways. With the mostly slow music there is plenty of room for individual expression in the dance. There is a lot of call-and-response, the roles can be changed, every dance partner can take the lead. Here you will find a playlist of beginner-friendly songs.