Lindy Hop is a dance that emerged in 1928 when Black dancers, "Shorty" George Snowden and Mattie Purnell, lost their grip and briefly broke away only to return to each other again. Lindy Hop is first and foremost a Black dance having been created during the Harlem Renaiisance and took flight at the legendary Savoy Ballroom as an expression of Black kinetic values such as call-and-response, improvisation and making African-American rhythms visible on the dance floor.

What is East Coast Swing, Jitterbug and Swing?

When swing dance schools or related festivals and events refer to east coast swing, jitterbug or swing, they're often referring to Lindy Hop, albeit a specific rhythm pattern featuring Slows and Quicks. These names indicate these organizations are engaging in cultural appropriation rather honoring the Black heritage or creators by using the names they gave their dances. Much like jazz, swing dances contain a multitude of rhythms and call on dancers to express themselves individually even while in partnership. East Coast Swing or Jitterbug was created to reduce the rhythms, limit individual expression and create a hierarchy where the leader, typically male, is the role dominant over the follower, typically female. Black social dances, rather, encourage mutual assertiveness. Lindy Hop and other Black social dances were dances of liberation, joy and freedom and made people fear upheaval of the status quo.

Where can I find social swing dancing in Denver?

Swingin' Denver offers a multitude of options through the year with our partnerships and collaborations across metro Denver and beyond often featuring live music. Here in Denver, you can also find options at The Pearl, Denver Turnverein, Avalon Ballroom in Boulder and other spots around town. When you find a favorite band, we encourage you to follow them so you can discover other venues where you can dance!

How can I stay informed about classes and events?

We encourage you to check out our website calendar and follow us on Facebook.

What should I wear to a dance class?

Lindy Hop is a casual dance and can be as athletic as you'd like it with a variety of rhythms, kicks, hops and bouncing. We suggest comfortable clothes that you can move around in, and non-marking flat shoes that will stay on your feet (open backed shoes or flip flops don’t work well.) Followers don’t generally wear heels in Lindy. If you have leather soled shoes, maybe bring a backup option in case you think the floor is a bit too slick.

Do you offer private lessons?

Some of our instructors do offer private lessons. Please email info@swingindenver.com. We offer private lessons for those seeking choreography, wedding dance help, improvement and other reasons.

What are the dance roles called?

The two dance roles are called leader and follower. Either gender can dance either role and switch during a dance if consent is there. Since we teach Black social dances, it's important to emphasize these roles are mutually assertive and both partners can be dancing different rhythms at the same. Much like how these dances encourage you to create bent lines and revel in asymmetry so is that asymmetry found between partners as we're constantly listening to the other partner and responding in time.

Knowledge is Power - a mutual aid workshop

Sunday, September 13, 2026
10:00 AM 12:00 PM 10:00 12:00

Friends & Co Coffee 1260 22nd Street Denver, CO, 80205 United States (map)

Google Calendar ICS

Prevention education aims to stop sexual violence before it starts. This means addressing contributing factors at every level—individual, relational, community, and societal.

The Knowledge is Power program empowers people to recognize sexually inappropriate behavior, intervene in harmful situations, support survivors, and challenge harmful norms that blame, silence, or minimize survivors’ experiences. There will also be small group discussions about harmful situations that have happened within the swing scene that connects to greater society.

Community Prevention Education means:

Recognizing that we can all play a role in preventing sexual violence
Identifying sexually inappropriate behavior and risky situations
Prospectively identifying potentially harmful situations and encouraging appropriate interventions
Teaching consent and healthy relationships from a young age
Challenging victim-blaming, perpetrator apologia, and rape culture
Responding to survivors and victims with empathy and belief
Building confidence to speak up and intervene

Cost

In order to maximize accessibility, Swingin' Denver is sponsoring this event and making registration FREE for attendees. Friends & Co Coffee and Rise Comedy Club are waiving rent in return for a $250 beverage minimum. Attendees are encouraged but not required to support our hosts by purchasing coffee or other beverages, burritos or pastries. Any remainder will be covered by Swingin' Denver. When making purchases, please say you're attending this event.

Who We Want In Attendance

This workshop is designed for dancers, musicians and organizers affiliated with the Colorado swing dance scene. We are seeking individuals who want to explore building solidarity with each other, developing and learning language to better describe what we’re experiencing and seeing, dismantling patriarchy and other oppressive systems, taking direct action in a way that suits you, providing greater agency, and actively caring for those around you. If you are interested in attending this workshop, this workshop is for you. If you want to make sure, contact us here - https://www.swingindenver.com/contact-us

Safer Spaces

Violators of our Code of Conduct will also be denied access to this event in order to maintain our commitment to Safer Spaces. Regarding the nature of this presentation, The Blue Bench presents with two facilitators in case one needs to step out with an attendee for some one-on-one time in the Nook space.

Registration

We ask that each attendee registers so we can anticipate and cap attendance.

When to Arrive

We recommend attendees arrive 15-30 minutes early in order to find parking, order a beverage or food item, and find your seat without interrupting the presenters.

What to Bring

Please bring yourselves, your curiosity, a water bottle, notebook and writing instrument.

Parking

Street parking is available along with $5 lot options. This event is on a Sunday so street parking is free.

Seating

Ample seating will be offered inside their Theatre space and we're capping attendance at 46 persons. This room is ADA-accessible and can accommodate a wheelchair.

Ventilation

There is no additional ventilation in this space. Masks will be available if attendees would like one.

Entry Access

The ground level door is non-automated

Recommend Reading (first four books can be found at Shop at Matter, 2 blocks from Rise)

Unf*ck Your Consent - Dr. Faith Harper
Sexual Consent - Milena Popova
Saving Our Own Lives (A Liberatory Practice of Harm Reduction) - Shira Hassan
The Big Questions Book of Sexual Consent - Donna Freitas
Consent (for Kids!), Boundaries, Respect, And Being In Charge Of You (seriously, good for the adults) - Rachel Brian

Co-Sponsors

Friends & Co Coffee
Boulder Swing Dance

Posted in community event
Tagged seminar, mutual aid, community