The questions below are some we’ve gotten in the past – hope you find the info useful!
Any other questions or for additional info, feel free to contact Mike Richardson at info at luv2swingdance dot com; or 859-420-2426.
Learn to Swing Dance with the Hepcats – let Mike & Mary put the swing in your step!
Looking for a fun activity, wanting to meet new people, explore a new hobby or just stay active – swing dancing is for you!
Two ways to learn:
(1) Group classes. The Hepcats normally teach group classes in the Oct./Nov. and Jan./Feb. time frames. Keep an eye out on the Hepcats classes web page for up-to-date info.
(2) Private Lessons. Want to learn right away and at a much faster pace? We also offer Private Lessons. Private lessons are an excellent way to learn how to swing dance.
A big advantage of private lessons is that you get individual attention from working one-on-one with the instructors and you’ll progress at a much faster pace. Private lessons may be arranged for individual dancers or couples. Contact Mike Richardson at 859-420-2426 or info@luv2swingdance.com for more info.
Why learn to swing dance with Mike & Mary?
You’ll learn from award winning instructors with the proven knowledge, experience and expertise to get you out on the dance floor, looking cool and having fun!
Mike & Mary have taught swing dancing for over 20+ years. They don’t just “dabble” in swing dancing: they love the dances, and they study the dances. They believe learning to swing dance is a journey, not a destination. They often travel to out of town workshop events such as the All-Balboa Weekend (ABW), Camp Hollywood, Lindy Focus, the International Lindy Hop Championships, etc…. to take classes, private lessons and compete in contests to further hone their skills.
They are the most knowledgeable swing dance instructors in the Lexington/central Kentucky area, and are passionate about sharing all the great things about swing dancing and swing music!
Mike & Mary have taught literally thousands of people to swing dance – and they can teach you – just give it a try!
We can confidently say that no dance organization enjoys as much great swing music at its events as the Hepcats! Mike Richardson is the DJ for most Hepcats events. He is a well known swing dance DJ, respected for his thorough knowledge of swing-era music, genres and styles.
His love of swing dancing naturally meshed with his love of the great music of the swing-era. Mike has DJ’d at numerous local, regional and national level events in Louisville, Cincinnati, Columbus and Chicago.
For DJ’d dances, Mike likes to play that great music that’s really fun for swing dancing for Lindy Hop and Balboa, to include Big Band, Jump Blues, etc… at a variety of tempos from his collection of over 10,000 swing-era songs!
For live music event, the Hepcats only collaborate with high quality musical groups that know how to, and like to play for, swing dancers. Bands such as: the Kentucky Jazz Repertory Orchestra (KJRO), the Univ. of Kentucky Jazz Ensemble (UKJE), the Walnut Street Ramblers, Keith Jones and the Makeshifts, Blair Carman and the Belleview Boys, Neon Swing X-perience, the Rally Cats, the Cigar Store Indians, Terry Lee Ridley and the Million Dollar Band, to mention just a few.
Come on out to any of the Hepcats swing dances with live or DJ music: we think you’ll like the music!
For more info on swing dance music, click here.
For dances. It’s “dressy” casual for most people at swing dance events, although some like to get a little dressed up, and that’s fine! People do tend to get more dressed up for events with live music, such as the Hepcats/UK School of Music Big Band Swing Dances, the evening dances at All Balboa Weekend, etc. Keep comfort in mind, and note that swing dancing keeps you movin’! Be sure to wear comfortable shoes. (To protect the dance floor, boots, “spiked” high heels or similar type shoes should not be worn.)
For classes. Wear loose comfortable clothing and flat-soled shoes. We don’t recommend blue jeans because they’re too restrictive. We also don’t recommend high heels or open, strapped shoes or sandals or flip flops.
Vintage Style. Some people prefer to dress vintage at swing dances, and while this is never required, it is fun and adds to the overall atmosphere of the dance.
Note: for more info on clothes and shoes for swing dancing, vintage clothes, etc… click here.
Do I need a partner for the Hepcats swing dance classes? No. For our classes, dance partners are not required, single dancers are welcome. Of course, if you can bring a dance partner, that’s fine. And bring your family and friends, the more, the merrier!
Do I need a partner for Hepcats dances? No. Swing dancing is a social activity. Many people attend swing dances without a dance partner. Those who do attend with a dance partner usually dance with other people as well. It’s perfectly acceptable in the swing dance community to ask someone to dance. So don’t be shy – ask someone to dance!
What is the age range? In general, swing dance events attract a diverse group of people, ages 18-80, although the median age is probably in the 25-40 range. People of all ages love to swing dance: young professionals, students (college and high school), baby boomers, GenXer’s……you get the picture!
Swing dancing is fun, but safety is also very important! The basic rule for aerials/air steps is they should never be performed on the social dance floor, but saved for competitions and performances.
An exception is a “Jam Circle” (assuming you have the technique and skill set to perform aerials in a jam circle). In a jam circle, a circle of spectators is formed and swing dancers enter the circle one couple at a time, showing the spectators their best “stuff”. In this environment, innocent people/bystanders would not be able to wander into the path of dancers performing aerials/air steps.
In addition, and very importantly, aerials/air steps should only be attempted with a regular dance partner; in other words, don’t try to attempt an aerial/air step with a partner that you’ve only danced with a few times (or less) socially.
Want to learn aerials/airsteps? It’s best to learn aerials/airsteps in a workshop setting, with experienced instructors using spotters and that have the proper equipment, i.e. a proper floor surface and floor mats, etc.
Make no mistake about it – aerials/airsteps not performed properly can be dangerous, not only to those trying the move but to innocent people/bystanders on the dance floor. Beware of venues/instructors that allow aerials/airsteps on the social dance floor and during class instruction.
Learning to swing dance from watching You Tube clips, videos, etc. can be problematic. A couple of points for your consideration:
(1) It’s fine (and in fact encouraged!) to view vintage video clips as a source of inspiration and for figuring out what you want/need to learn for your Lindy Hop and Balboa (check out this Hepcats web page) – by all means check out the vintage video footage of Hellzpoppin’, Maharaja, etc..
But to take your Lindy Hop/Balboa to the next level, it’s really quite simple – – take classes from the best Lindy Hop and Balboa instructors you can find, develop good practice habits, attend high quality workshops, and get involved in a performance group.
(2) It’s hard to learn (and pick up good habits) from watching a video, either instructional or vintage. There are many subtle points that do not come across in a video. Plus you don’t get feedback on your progress. (Note that teaching techniques in the Lindy Hop and Balboa swing dance community have definitely improved over time, and that older You Tube clips/videos may have dated material and instruction methods.)
Stick with it! Take as many of the Hepcats Lindy Hop and Balboa classes/workshops you can to increase your technique and skill level. Attend Hepcats swing dance events and put into practice what you’ve learned. But don’t over think on the dance floor: have fun with the music and dancing!
Practice. Depending on the person, it could take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months to get comfortable with dancing. But one thing is for sure: dancing is a “use it” or “lose it” skill. We normally recommend you try to practice 30-45 minutes a week to go over new material and/or material you may not be totally comfortable with.
Once you feel comfortable with the basics and you want to really expand your horizons, travel to high quality workshops like the All Balboa Weekend (ABW), Lindy Focus, etc. And if possible, join a performance group – that is one of the best ways to really take your swing dancing to the next level.
Sure can! We can DJ, find a great band, or even dance for you!
We can DJ. Tired of the same ole’ music you get from most so called “party” or “professional” DJs? Want music that’s energetic and fun for dancing and listening to? With thousands of songs from the Big Band swing-era, Jump Blues, 50’s rock and roll, Rockabilly, 40’s, 50’s & 60’s Rhythm & Blues, modern swing, etc., Mike Richardson could DJ your next dance, party or event and get toes a tappin’ and feet a movin’!
Ask anybody that has attended a Hepcats event: we play and dance to the best music in town!
Bands for Dances. How about live music for your next event? Mike & Mary have worked with numerous musical groups at the local, regional and national level. These groups really know how to play, not only for dances but for any event (many of these groups have played for past Hepcats swing dance events in Lexington).
These groups include Big Band Orchestras, Jump Blues Bands, Rockabilly Bands, etc. We would be happy to facilitate these groups performing at your event.
Let us dance for you. Got a party or an event coming up and want some Swing Dancers to liven, energize, and spice things up? We can help you out – liven up the party or event or just add some atmosphere to the joint!
Contact Mike Richardson at 859-420-2426, or info at luv2swingdance dot com.