Jammin on the James

Beginner Track Ginter Room

Take this track if (1) you've never danced a step in your life; (2) you're a Lindy Hopper looking to brush up on basics; or (3) you're an experienced dancer, just not in Lindy. In order to provide the optimal learning environment, we are limiting the number of registrants to 10 leads and 10 follows. This will provide more hands-on attention from our instructors. In addition we are only offering 2 workshops per day in an effort not to overload the beginner students and to allow them to absorb a higher percentage of the concepts and movements taught. Registration will be for the entire track only.

Lindy Hop BasicsCasey & Mike

Learn the basics of Lindy Hop including triple steps and the swing out. Also learn about connection, frame, and other essential lead/follow concepts. Our instructors will give you the info you need to develop your basic understanding of this extremely fun dance. (Saturday)

Building on BasicsCarla & Nick

You need moves. We know you need moves. Building on the concepts and basics taught in Lindy Hop Basics, here you will increase your Lindy repertoire with fun moves while at the same time reinforcing important lead and follow concepts. Remember: it's not so much knowing the moves, but leading them correctly and understanding how to follow the lead. (Saturday)

Mixing 6 & 8 Count Rhythms Carla & Nick

Lindy Hop is mixture of 6 and 8 count footwork and rhythms. In this class Carla & Nick will talk about how to easily move between the two rhythms and how they relate to each other within the framework of swing music. After this class it will be much clearer as to how to mix these rhythms effortlessly and seamlessly in your dancing. (Sunday)

Shim Sham Casey & Mike

You're on your way to becoming a Lindy Hopper. But no dancer is a true Lindy Hopper until they learn this line dance.The version most universally learned by Lindy Hoppers was choreographed by the late Frankie Manning and is performed all over the world. After this class, feel free to stay in the Ginter Room for practice or come up and "audit" the last workshop of the day in the Auditorium which will be taught by all four of our instructors. (Sunday)

Intermediate Track Auditorium

Dancers taking these workshops should know how to execute a swing out, basic Lindy Charleston, and comfortably move between 6- and 8-count moves.

Swing Out TechniqueCarla & Nick

This workshop is perfect for those looking to polish up their swing out, and let's be honest, what Lindy Hopper isn't forever working on making their swing out better? Dancers, no matter how long they've been dancing, need a swing out refresher every now and again and now is the time! Carla & NIck will give tips on how to achieve a better-looking and more efficient swing out. (Saturday)

Momentum & CounterbalanceCarla & Nick

Better partner dancing is accomplished not only with basic and fancy steps. Almost more importantly it is best performed as a give-and-take working relationship between lead and follow. Carla & Nick will discuss these two important concepts in this relationship and show you how to incorporate them in order to make your dancing stronger, more effective, and fun to execute. (Saturday)

Hellzapoppin' Lives!Casey & Mike

It's the 70th anniversary of this film with the landmark Lindy Hop performance by Whitey's Lindy Hoppers. Casey & MIke will break down how to execute Lindy footwork at break neck speeds which will help you feel more comfortable at faster tempos. They will also teach some of the athletic moves from the film. (Saturday)

Tandem Charleston Casey & Mike

More tandem Charleston! One can never learn enough of this fun step and incorporate it into one's Lindy Hop. There are so many moves and variations that we felt last year's "Return of the Tandem" just wasn't enough. Casey & Mike will teach completely different moves from last year which you can add to your tandem Charleston arsenal. Learn the steps and more importantly how to execute them so you can have more fun and look better on the dance floor! (Saturday)

Whole Body Dancing Casey & Mike

Do a little peckin', shoulder shruggin', and knee slapping, but whatever you do, don't just dance with your feet! Casey & Mike will provide you some ideas on how to use your entire body while dancing, helping you make your dancing more energetic, dynamic, and aesthetic. (Sunday)

Footwork Variations Carla & Nick

Basic footwork is a must. But you will really set yourself apart from the pack by mixing in these footwork variations in place of basic steps. Carla & NIck will demonstrate some easy variations and some fancy ones that will help you to develop your own style on the dance floor. (Sunday)

Spins & Turns Carla & Nick

Spins and turns seem simple but they never look quite as good as we'd like (or think). Carla & Nick will teach some fun turns and spins to add to your Lindy repertoire and discuss how to make them look effortless and snappy! (Sunday)

Favorite Moves All

You've seen them execute some really amazing moves in clips and during our dances. Learn some of our instructor's favorite moves in this workshop. Our four instructors will pull from their vast knowledge of vintage movie clips, dancing with other dancers from around the world, and their own personal innovations and teach us some of their favorite Lindy Hop moves. (Sunday)

Advanced Track Gymnasium

Dancers taking these workshops should be comfortable picking up new moves and steps fairly quickly, understand how swing music is structured and the concept of creating your dance to the changes in the music. In addition, dancers in the advanced workshop should incorporate good frame and connection in their everyday dancing.

RhythmsCasey & Mike

Shakee dah bedeep e dah! If you want to learn how to translate the preceding sentence, you must come to this class! In this class, Casey & Mike will talk about how the music we dance to is structured and how we can adjust our dancing to those rhythms. (Saturday)

Lindy to Charleston to Lindy TransitionsCarla & Nick

Learn some cool transitions from Lindy to Charleston, Charleston to Charleston, and Charleston to Lindy! Transitions like these will allow you to go from one step to another and add another dimension to your dancing. (Saturday)

Journey Through Time Carla & Nick

In this class, Carla and Nick will teach some of their favorite more complicated moves, stylings, and/or jazz steps. Or moves that look complicated but are actually not so difficult to learn. Learn some of the things they like to do, and do well. (Sunday)