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.

Venues — Swingin' Denver

Little Man Ice Cream LoHi
Little Man Ice Cream Factory
Friends & Co. Coffee
Downtown Denver - 16th Street

Little Man Ice Cream LoHi

This is for our annual Swingin’ Under the Stars series.

Location: 2620 16th Street, Denver, CO 80211
Class: Lindy Hop classes 7:30-8:00pm. Lindy Hop involves steps, stomps, jumps, turns and other movements with a partner. We invite you to participate at your comfort level. Instructors are happy to provide modifications if desired.
Cost: FREE events. We ask supporters, if they’re able, to support the venue through an ice cream or beverage purchase.
Language: Instructors are English-speaking.
Indoors/Outdoors: Outdoors event
Restrooms: Located to the left of the large mural. You might need a code which can be acquired from a staff person - ask at the back of the Can.
ADA Access: There are ADA access ramps on 16th Street and 30th Avenue
Dance Surface: Either cobblestone or smooth concrete
Parking: Street parking or a paid lot across the street. There are at least two handicapped spots available in the paid lot.
Lighting: Natural light supplemented by bistro lights

Little Man Ice Cream Factory

This is for pop up swing dance events that sometimes occur in December and often monthly between February - May.

Location: 4411 W Colfax Ave, Denver, CO 80204
Class: Lindy Hop classes 7:30-8:00pm. Lindy Hop involves steps, stomps, jumps, turns and other movements with a partner. We invite you to participate at your comfort level. Instructors are happy to provide modifications if desired.
Cost: FREE events. We ask supporters, if they’re able, to support the venue through an ice cream or beverage purchase.
Language: Instructors are English-speaking.
Indoors/Outdoors: Indoors event
Restrooms: Located to the left of the main entrance toward the back against the left wall.
Venue entry:
Dance Surface: Smooth concrete
Parking: There is a free lot to the west of the alley. Otherwise, we suggest street parking on Tennyson.

Friends & Co. Coffee

This is for our Knowledge is Power event September 13, 2026.

Location: 1260 22nd St, Denver, CO 80205
Class: Knowledge is Power by The Blue Bench 9/13/26
Cost: FREE. We ask supporters, if they’re able, to support the venue through a coffee or food purchase.
Language: Instructors are English-speaking.
Indoors/Outdoors: Indoors event
Restrooms: Separate genders and ADA-accessible
Venue entry: Automated door with 34in+ clearance via a ramp and ground-level access.
Dance Surface: Smooth concrete
Parking: There is free 2-hour street parking immediately in front of the venue, paid street parking and surface lots.
Water: Water bottles are allowed and a water fountain is available.

Downtown Denver - 16th Street

For three years prior to Swingin’ Denver opening its doors, I had been traveling the world teaching swing dance. Lindy hop, charleston, blues, aerials, balboa, west coast swing and vernacular jazz allowed me the opportunity to teach across four continents and untold countries.

Along the way, I enjoyed three long-term stays either supporting an existing swing school (Lindy Hop Portugal) or helping one start (1929 Studios in Melbourne and Big Mama Swing in Madrid). I was able to teach numerous class levels, develop curriculum, train teachers and DJs, build friendships, and be inspired.

Upon my return commitment to Denver long-term, I knew I needed to start my own project if I were to pursue my teaching passion and act on my inspirations. My initial goals were to develop a swing school featuring multiple learning levels; improve music offerings by cultivating band and DJ talent through landing more gigs and providing training/mentorship; get swing dancing into the public eye through performance and venue collaboration; and collaborate within the Colorado swing scene.

We achieved these goals and more. Our journey led us to forming a performance team; fielding a robust lineup of teachers; co-hosting a 5+ year summer series at Little Man Ice Cream featuring FREE weekly live music and lessons; having DJ and MC mentoring programs; running 450+ person dance parties; working with the leadership of most, if not all, Colorado swing-related organizations; and collaborating with so many notable metro Denver venues and event producers like the Denver Flea, Denver Bazaar, Lone Tree Brewing Company, Ironton Distillery, Infinite Monkey Theorem, Logan House Coffee, Stem Ciders, Union Station, Aspen Grove, and many more.

Since September 2019 we’ve been paused which was sort of fortunate considering the COVID-19 pandemic. We still want to teach, offer great classes, collaborate, celebrate the Front Range’s great swing bands, and perform. However, we needed time to figure out how we wanted to celebrate this Black vernacular dance form and honor the community from which we commodified Lindy Hop and other vernacular partner dances from.

I’m not sure I hold all those answers, but from speaking with local community leaders, swing dance historians, and others teachers we greatly respect, I think we’ll be on an even better path than where we were prior to our break. Myself and others have used this break to recalibrate how we teach, honor, and respect Lindy Hop’s elders and swing legends. We’ve also used this time to read more; not just about Lindy Hop, but also about the music, the Great Migration, and other important factors that spurred swing, the music and genres of dances. And the best way to find out what we’re about now is to come see us!

Cheers!