Our Swing Dance Course is now underway â but thereâs still time to join the fun!
đđş Wednesdays, from 30 April 2025 at The Cartologist, Durham DH1 4NQ
Whether you’re brand new to Lindy Hop or looking to brush up your moves, this course is designed to help you dance with style and confidence at social events. Youâll learn fun, iconic steps â including the Swing Out â in a relaxed, friendly environment.
Hereâs Whatâs Happening Each Week: â 19:30â20:15: Swing Dance Fundamentals (perfect for all levels) â 20:15â21:00: Extra Class (for experienced dancers) â 21:00â22:00: Jazz Social (open to all â just ÂŁ4 on the door!)
Not ready to commit to the course? No problem â you can still Swing By for the Jazz Social! Enjoy a drink, dance your own dance, and soak up the uplifting vibes from 9â10pm every Wednesday. đˇ
Extra Perks for Course Members: ⨠Access to lesson recap videos online ⨠Private WhatsApp group for questions & encouragement ⨠Optional online feedback on your practice ⨠A welcoming, supportive community of dancers
Book your place now and swing into summer with style!
Exciting News â A New Twist for Our Final Class!
We have something exciting to share with you! For a while now, weâve been thinking about how to create a more sociable atmosphere for our social Lindy Hop classes. While the church hall is a great space with a lovely smooth floor, and our Week 6 meet ups at Fram Ferment are always fun, we want to offer you even more!
So for the final Wednesday of this course, on 9 April, weâre trying something new, and weâd love your thoughts! For our final class, we invite you to The Cartologist, a beautiful bar close to the station, where weâll have exclusive use of their stunning Summer Room. The staff will clear the space so we can hold our usual two classes, followed by an extended Social Dancing session from 21:00-21:45âat no extra charge!
This will be a perfect chance to dance with each other, practise your moves, or just enjoy your favourite swing tunes. If you have friends who are curious about Lindy Hop or just want to soak up the atmosphere and Andyâs fantastic playlist, theyâre welcome to join us too!
Good news for drivers: Thereâs plenty of on-street parking nearby, and itâs free after 18:00, making it even easier to join us for the evening.
Andy and I will be arriving early to have a bite to eat at 18:15, so if you fancy grabbing some food or just popping in for a chat before our classes start at 19:30, youâre more than welcome!
With the lighter evenings, we hope this will be a great opportunity for those travelling from outside Durham to stay a little longer and fully enjoy the experience. Of course, youâre free to leave at any time that suits you.
After we try this out, weâd love your feedback! Would you like this to be a special Week 6 event for future courses? Would you prefer to keep things as they are? Or could this even work as a venue for all 6 weeks of a summer course?
We want to strike the right balance between structured learning and a relaxed, social dance environmentâso your input is invaluable!
We canât wait to hear what you think and, most of all, to dance with you at The Cartologist on Week 6 – thatâs 9 April.
A summary:
This coming Wednesday 2 April is Week 5. Weâre dancing at St Aidanâs as usual
Wednesday 9 April is Week 6. Weâre dancing at The Cartologist (in a private space!) and afterwards have a chat to find out everyone thinks!
Questions & Answers – Week 6 at The Cartologist â Will this new format be permanent? âĄď¸ No, this is just a trial, mainly for the summer months.
â Do I have to book separately for Week 6? âĄď¸ No, itâs included in your course. Just turn up and enjoy!
â Can I bring a friend who doesnât dance? âĄď¸ Yes! Theyâre welcome to watch, soak up the atmosphere, and enjoy the music.
â Will there still be a structured lesson? âĄď¸ Yes! Weâll run our usual two classes before the social dancing.
â Is there parking nearby? âĄď¸ Yes, plenty of on-street parking, free after 18:00.
â Do I have to stay for the social dancing? âĄď¸ Not at allâstay as long as you like!
â Could this be a venue for future courses? âĄď¸ That depends on feedback. Nothing is fixed yet. So, let’s check it out and talk about it. Weâd love to hear your thoughts!
Many dance classes let you drop in and out, but that often means forgetting what youâve learned or picking up bad habits. At Lindy Jazz, we do things differently! Our structured courses give you the support, consistency, and guidance you need to build confidence and dance with ease.
Hereâs What You Get:
â Swing Dance Fundamentals (19:30 – 20:15) â Perfect for all levels, covering essential moves and technique. â Extra Class (20:15 – 21:00) â For experienced dancers who want to refine their skills and add flair. â Online lesson videos â Recap moves anytime, so you never feel lost. â Private Whatsapp group â Ask questions, share progress, and stay connected. â Optional video feedback â Get personalised tips to improve your dancing.
Lindy Jazz is More Than Just an Evening Class!
đ Everything is explained step by stepâno stress, just fun. đ Join on your own, with a partner, or with friendsâeveryone is welcome! đ If you miss a class, catch up easily with our online videos.
We’d like to thank Vivienne, one our Lindy Jazz members for her views on how it all works!
Is everyone in the class really good already? When I was a beginner, my main goal was simply to learn to swing dance to fabulous music. I wasn’t concerned about whether others were better dancers than meâI just wanted to gather the courage to go on my own. It was a personal achievement I aimed for, and thanks to Joo-Lee, Andy, and my fellow dancers, I felt incredibly welcome.
Will I be the oldest or the slowest in the class? Personally, I didn’t worry about the age of my fellow dancers. When I first attended, the class had a diverse range of ages, so I never felt uncomfortable.
How long does it take to be able to dance? There isn’t an exact timeframe for this. We learn foundational steps that serve as building blocks for more complex routines and moves. Personal attitude plays a role tooâlearning to relax, not being too critical of yourself if things don’t go perfectly, and embracing the freedom to express your own personality through dance. With Joo-Lee and Andy, there’s no pressure to get it right immediately. Dancing is an exciting, ongoing journey.
Are the Lindy Jazz courses suitable for beginners? Absolutely! Lindy Jazz courses are specifically designed for beginners. The learning pace is relaxed, breaking down everything from basic steps to counting beats, rhythm, and the unique style of Lindy Jazz. Supportive videos recap the steps, and Joo-Lee and Andy are excellent, approachable teachers who are always happy to help with any dance-related questions.
What is the Extra Class? Extra classes are suitable for anyone with extra time, extra energy ,extra dance experience, extra patience and want extra moves. At Lindy Jazz, there are no assessments, that’s why you won’t hear us talking about ‘levels’. It’s all about the amount of time, energy and patience you have on a Wednesday evening!
If I can’t attend every class in the course, will I fall behind or miss out? Not at all! We provide recap videos via an online link that you automatically gain access to when you start the course. Additionally, there’s a Messenger group where you can watch videos or share supportive messages with other dancers. You’ll also receive emails about upcoming workshops and social events, ensuring you stay connected even if you miss a class.
What is a Jazz Social? Itâs your chance to: đˇ Enjoy DJ Andy’s amazing swing playlist đş Relax, dance, or just soak up the atmosphere đ Every Wednesday 21:00-22:00 at The Cartologist 30 April-11 July 2025 Just ÂŁ4 on the door or free if you’re a course member.
Sign up here to receive occasional emails from Lindy Jazz with updates and upcoming courses.
I didn’t get the chance to Swing dance when I was young. I only learned to Swing dance in my 30âs. I know that if Iâd told myself then that I needed to be a natural born dancer or have dance experience before I turned up to my first Swing dance class, I wouldnât be having so much fun Swing dancing let alone teaching Lindy Hop today.
When you see me dance, it may look as if I have always found dancing easy. However, my âtrade secretâ is that I make time for dancing, learning, and practising.
The power of âkeep goingâ
40 years ago (yep! I feel old) I taught my first music lessons.
I’d just passed my diploma & my piano teacher gave me the opportunity to cover her lessons. This changed my life!
Suddenly, I had the opportunity to have first-hand experience of teaching, a glimpse at a career in music, and the self-belief to pursue my dream.
The best part of all of it? I am blessed to have known wonderful students from across the globe who still keep in touch with me. Iâve been part of their musical journeys and Iâve seen them blossom, what a fantastic privilege!
But music didnât always come easy to me. Although I had a genuine passion for it, I got mediocre exam grades. I wasn’t considered to be âtalentedâ and was repeatedly told how much better other students were than me. This made it so hard to believe that the hard work I’d put into hours of practice would actually come to anything.
But I kept going! Even though at times my heart and head were saying different things. My heart said “But you want this, you want to teach music” and my head said “I am not sure if I am any good at all!”
But I kept going! I kept going by taking One Small Step each day. The One Small Step could be doing 5 minutes of practice or listening to the music I was studying. That One Small Step stopped me wasting time worrying about things I had no control over.
The importance of building strong foundations
Fast forward a few decades and I now specialise in something I never expected to! I teach advanced level music students at diploma and degree level to overcome performance anxiety by teaching them to build strong technique.
How did that happen? Most super talented musicians who teach do not necessarily break down their technique as they already have a natural finesse. But as I had to work out the gaps in my own technique, I am now able to identify the gaps that I see over and over again in advanced level music students. Just like me, they were rushed through ‘the grades’ to pass exams at the expense of building solid foundations in their technique.
Whatâs your One Small Step going to be?
So how do you keep going when learning new dance skills feels hard?
Keep attending class. Show up by being present, energetic, and positive.
Ask yourself, “why do I want to learn to dance?.” Listen to your heart’s desire. Go with what you truly want and believe in and take your âOne Small Stepâ towards your dream. See what a difference it makes to your dancing and confidence.
And if you miss a class? Donât worry. Just log in to the Lindy Jazz course videos and you’ll catch up in no time!
When couples decide to take up Lindy Hop together, it can be a wonderful shared experienceâfull of fun, laughter, and new discoveries. But as with many things in life, learning to dance as a couple comes with its own unique challenges.
At Lindy Jazz, we recognise that many beginners feel safer sticking with their own partner, and thatâs completely understandable. The thought of not knowing if youâll keep up or do well in class can feel uncomfortableâor even terrifying. But we want to assure you that the culture of our classes is friendly, welcoming, and supportive. We are here to dance and to help one another.
That said, one of the best ways to make the most of your dance experience is to consider the idea of dancing with different partners. This teaches you to listen through movement, respond to different styles, and develop the essential skill of improvisation. But we also want you to feel comfortableâso while we encourage it, we never insist on it. You are always welcome to learn in a way that feels good for you.
The Good Intentions That Backfire
If youâre the more experienced partner, it can be tempting to help your other half by offering tips, corrections, or explanations. After all, you just want to make things easier for them, right? But in reality, this often has the opposite effect.
By stepping into a âteacherâ role, you may end up presenting the material differently from the class instructors, causing confusion or even contradicting whatâs being taught. This can disrupt the lesson, overwhelm your partner, andâmost importantlyâtake away their chance to learn and progress at their own pace.
Many beginners find being corrected by their partner frustrating or discouraging. They might feel self-conscious, pressured, or simply exhausted by the constant feedback. In fact, this kind of âhelpâ is one of the most common reasons why new dancers hesitate to return to class.
The Best Way to Support Your Partner
If you truly want your husband, wife, partner, or family member to enjoy learning and stick with it, the best thing you can do is give them space to learn.
âď¸ Smile warmly and encouraginglyâyour partner is already trying their best. âď¸ Let them make âmistakesââitâs all part of the process & we all make mistakes anyway. âď¸ Allow them to stumble and discover things for themselvesâthis builds confidence. âď¸ Trust the teachers to do the teachingâthatâs what theyâre there for!
And most importantly, if you really want to help, encourage your partner to dance with others. This may feel counterintuitive, but dancing with different partners helps them develop adaptability, connection, and confidence much faster than only dancing with you.
Dancing Together, Learning Independently
If you love dancing and want your partner to keep learning and enjoying it too, remember that the best support you can offer is patience, positivity, and a willingness to let go of control.
At Lindy Jazz, weâre here to help you both on your dance journeyâwithout any âdance domesticsâ getting in the way! đ
Last weekend, Andy & I were teaching a private lesson, and one of the biggest advantages of private lessons is that students can ask for specific tips, tricks, and techniques based on their own goals. One common concern that comes up, especially among Lindy Hop dancers, is feeling nervous or inadequate when dancing with someone more experienced. Yet, they also know that to improve, itâs important to dance with partners of all levels.
For followers, a common worry is not being able to keep up with every single move, improvisation, or decoration their leader introduces. My advice? If you want to be a confident dancerâbe yourself. You donât need to mirror, or creatively respond to every movement. The reason I feel confident as a dancer is that I keep my movements simple, with a strong foundation in the basics. I focus on the music and the feeling of the dance rather than overthinking every step. If you’re constantly thinking instead of feeling, your dancing can become less spontaneous and less responsive.
This applies especially to Lindy Hop, where social dancers often improvise to different songs, including unfamiliar ones, and dance with partners theyâve never met before. For leaders, a similar concern arisesâfeeling pressure to lead a vast repertoire of moves. My advice? You guessed itâkeep it simple. If you want your partner to enjoy the dance and follow you comfortably, focus on solid fundamental techniques and clear movement.
Confidence Comes from Strong Foundations
Confidence doesnât come from knowing endless flashy movesâit comes from having rock-solid fundamentals. These techniques may seem basic, but like any foundation, if theyâre shaky, your confidence will be too.
Thatâs why at Lindy Jazz, we focus on building strong foundations so you can feel confident, relaxed, and free to enjoy social dancing.
đđş Ready to build your confidence on the dance floor? Our next Lindy Jazz course starts on 30 Aprilâjoin us and dance with ease!
If youâve been dancing for a while, youâve probably been in a class where a new beginner is struggling with the steps. Your instinct might be to step in and offer some guidanceâto explain the move differently, correct their footwork, or give them extra tips. After all, you just want to help, right?
I completely understand your good intentions, but hereâs something to consider: when an experienced dancer starts âteachingâ a beginner in class, it can actually have the opposite effect. Instead of feeling supported, the beginner often feels overwhelmed, confused, or even discouraged. They might worry theyâre doing everything wrong, feel pressured to get it ârightâ immediately, or even dread coming back.
Focus on Your Own Learning Instead
Instead of focusing on the new person’s learning, shift your focus to your own. How well can you adapt to your new partner? Social dancing isnât about perfecting steps or performingâitâs about adapting. Adapting to different partners, different energy levels, different interpretations of the music.
Each time you dance with someone new, challenge yourself to adjust your movement to connect with them. Can you match their timing? Can you sense their comfort level and create a dance that feels good for both of you? Instead of trying to âfixâ their dancing, see how well you can adapt to the moment.
Why âHelpingâ Can Be Counterproductive
When you correct or explain things in your own way, youâre introducing a different perspective than what the teacher is presenting. This can contradict the lesson, disrupt the flow of the class, and leave the beginner unsure of who to listen to. It also takes them out of the natural learning processâmaking mistakes, experimenting, and gradually improving at their own pace.
The Best Support You Can Give
Instead of instructing, correcting, or âhelpingâ during class, try these instead:
â Smile warmly and encouragingly â Let them know itâs okay to stumble. Every dancer has been there!
â Allow mistakes to happen â Itâs all part of the learning process. Trust that they will improve with time, just like you did.
â Be a friendly presence â If you want to support a beginner, the best time to do so is before or after class. A simple chat, a kind word, or a shared laugh about the learning journey can make them feel truly welcome.
Dancing is All About Adapting
At the heart of social dancing is the ability to adaptânot just to different music, but to different partners and even to your own energy levels, which may change from week to week. The best dancers arenât the ones who execute perfect moves; theyâre the ones who can adjust, connect, and make every dance enjoyable for themselves and their partner.
So next time you dance with a beginner, resist the urge to teachâsimply enjoy the dance, offer a warm smile, and let them discover their own way. Your patience, encouragement, and ability to adapt will do far more to support their learning than any technical tip ever could. đ
Dancing isnât just about learning stepsâitâs about letting go and enjoying the moment. But sometimes, our minds get in the way. We compare ourselves to others, worry about making mistakes, or feel embarrassed when things donât go as planned.
Hereâs the truth: embarrassment is self-inflicted. Your mind creates fear where there is no real danger. No one is judging you, and no one remembers if you fumble a step. But if you let that fear take over, youâll miss out on the joy of dancing.
Your mind loves problem-solving. So, instead of letting it convince you that you are the problem, give it something useful to focus onâlike a dance move, the rhythm, or simply having fun. Or better yet, shift the focus away from yourself entirely. Look aroundâsee someone sitting out who looks like theyâd love to dance? Take a moment to invite them onto the dance floor. Getting past your own fears to help someone else can be just the thing to remind you that dancing is about connection, not perfection.
Often, our fears come from linking dancing with performing. But at Lindy Jazz, we are not performingâwe are social dancing. There is no audience, no pressure to impress, just a shared love for swing music and good company. Thatâs what we mean when we say we dance for fun.
Imagine this: youâre on holiday, and every evening, you see a couple swing dancing to a live jazz band. Their energy and connection are captivating. What would you do?
Would you head to the bar for a bit of courage before asking them to dance? Watch in admiration but decide not to interrupt because theyâre a couple? Or maybe, after a few nights, youâd finally muster the bravery to give it a tryâif others were already on the floor.
Now add this twist: there are six nights of live music left, you know a few swing moves, and the dance floor is empty. No one is watching too closelyâyouâll likely never see these people again. Would you take the chance?
Our Swing Dance Holiday Experience
We danced every night on our recent trip without a care in the world, soaking up the joy of live music. By the sixth evening, a lovely young woman, brimming with enthusiasm, approached us. She asked if weâd dance with her and even sought my permission to ask Andy for a danceâa sweet and thoughtful gesture.
When a lively tune started, I invited her to join me for some solo jazz. Although she had never tried it before, she jumped in, copying my moves with a radiant smile. Afterwards, she asked Andy for a Lindy Hop, explaining how rare it was to swing dance back home. Her joy was infectious, and the three of us shared a wonderful moment of connection through dance.
She later told us about her holiday with her family, where this brief escape into swing dancing had been a highlight. It was a reminder of how much joy simple, shared moments can bring, even among strangers.
What Weâve Learned from Dancing on Cruises
Over the years, weâve discovered a few truths about dancing on holidays:
1ď¸âŁ The perfect moment might not last. A band might play incredible music one night and shift styles entirely the next. Or, as we experienced, a lead singer could fall ill, changing the groupâs vibe entirely.
2ď¸âŁ You might not see that couple again. Ships are big, and peopleâs schedules rarely align.
3ď¸âŁ No one is judging your dancing. Most people are simply impressed youâre dancing at all!
4ď¸âŁ Opportunities are fleeting. That perfect mix of music, mood, and moment might never come around again.
Our Blissful Moment
On this cruise, we stumbled upon the best jazz band weâve ever encountered on a ship. For one magical 45-minute set, we danced to every song they played, fully immersed in the music and the moment. It turned out to be their last performance of those songs.
That experience reminded us of an essential lesson: seize the moment when it comes. Whether itâs dancing, trying something new, or simply stepping out of your comfort zone, donât wait.
So next time you see a dance floor calling your name, even if itâs empty and the band is playing just for you, take that first step. Who knows? You might inspire someone else to join inâor create a memory that will last a lifetime. đđş
What about you? If you were on holiday and saw a couple swing dancing, or you’re thinking of asking someone for a dance at a swing dance social, what would you do? Share your thoughts!
How did you feel as a beginner? What advice can you give me? For the past 12 weeks, I’ve been gearing up to learn to ride a bicycle. With just one week left before I push myself even further by cycling with others in Bordeaux, I’m feeling a mix of excitement and nerves. Itâs one thing to practice on a spacious, empty running track, but the thought of navigating real-world scenarios makes my heart race and my mind conduct a constant risk assessment.
Learning to ride a bike as an older adult has been both challenging and enlightening. Itâs made me reflect on what it feels like to be a beginner again, and how our fears can sometimes be exaggerated. This experience has also reminded me of when I first started dancing. Many of us felt awkward and self-conscious, worrying about making mistakes or looking silly.
However, just like with dance, each wobble on the bike is a step towards gaining confidence. Itâs all about persistence and allowing ourselves the grace to be imperfect. Our fears often stem from the unknown and the pressure we put on ourselves to get it right the first time. But remember, itâs okay to make mistakes â thatâs how we learn and grow.
In dance, as in cycling, itâs important to focus on the joy of the activity rather than the fear of failure. When we let go of our fears, we open ourselves up to new experiences and the chance to build wonderful memories. So, whether you’re learning to ride a bike, starting a new dance routine, or trying something completely different, embrace the journey and the lessons it brings.
I’d love to hear your experiences and any tips you might have! What advice can you share about overcoming the fear of being a beginner? Letâs support each other in stepping out of our comfort zones and discovering the joys that lie beyond.
Weâre all excited about our upcoming cruise this summer! Just as this holiday promises an all-inclusive experience where everything is taken care of, our 6-week Lindy Jazz courses offer a complete and rewarding learning journey. Hereâs why committing to our courses can be just as wonderful as our all-inclusive holiday!
The All-Inclusive Holiday Experience
Think about the cruise where your room, food, drinks, activities, and excursions are all included. You can choose to enjoy as much or as little as you like. Some might eat and drink more, while others might join in more activities. The best part is having the freedom to balance your experience, making sure itâs enjoyable and not overwhelming.
Remember, you don’t need to eat and drink everything on holiday or attend every class in the course or learn every move. You have choices!
Our 6-week Lindy Jazz courses are similar. When you commit to the full course, you get:
Consistent Learning and Skill Building: Just as you wouldnât want to miss any part of an all-inclusive holiday, the continuity of a 6-week course ensures you donât miss important learning moments. Each week builds on the previous one, allowing you to improve steadily.
Dedicated Community: Being part of a group that commits together enhances the learning experience. You grow and improve alongside your peers, creating a supportive and motivating environment.
Comprehensive Resources: Our courses are not just about attending weekly classes. You get access to online videos to recap moves, a private Facebook Messenger group for any questions, and optional online feedback on your practice videos. This complete approach ensures you have everything you need to succeed.
The Drawbacks of Dropping In and Out
In the past, we offered drop-in classes where dancers could come and go as they pleased. While this might seem flexible, it didnât provide the same level of improvement that our 6-week courses do. Dropping in and out disrupted the flow of learning, making it harder to build a strong foundation and progress consistently.
The Power of Commitment
Those who have committed to our 6-week courses have seen big improvements in their dance skills. Hereâs why:
Structured Learning Path: Each class is part of a well-planned curriculum that ensures you learn the basics and build on them week by week.
Reinforcement and Practice: With access to online materials, you can practise between classes, reinforcing what youâve learned and coming back stronger each week.
Personalised Feedback: Our private Facebook Messenger group and optional video feedback provide chances for personalised guidance, helping you refine your technique and overcome challenges.
What You Get in Our 6-Week Courses
To remind you of the fantastic value included in our 6-week courses, hereâs a breakdown of what you receive:
â For all levels: 19:30 – 20:15 Swing Dance Fundamentals
â For Experienced Dancers: 20:15 – 21:00 Extra Class
â Access to online videos to help you recap the moves between classes or catch up in case you couldn’t attend
â Access to a private Facebook Messenger group so you can ask about anything!
â Optional online feedback on your practice videos
Final Thoughts
Just like the cruise, our 6-week courses are designed to be an all-inclusive experience where you get the most out of your time and effort. Committing to the full duration allows you to truly immerse yourself in the learning process, ensuring you walk away with significant improvements and a deeper understanding of Lindy Jazz.
We encourage each of you to embrace this commitment. Whether you can attend every class or master every move, the journey itself will bring about amazing results.
