Free Lessons

Special

Occasionally, Swing-In members will teach different types of dances.

Watch the calendar for upcoming special free dance classes, and monitor this page for tips and videos of fun dances.

See the Rockabilly, Shim Sham and Waltz lessons below!

Looking for introductory or intermediate swing dance lessons?

Learn the Shim Sham

Enjoy this video of Frankie Manning and Friends doing the Shim Sham at Lindyfest, 2016

Popularized in the mid-1980s by Frankie Manning, the swing-dance line-dance version of the shim sham is based off a 1930s tap dance. It involves about a dozen moves including the “Shim Sham Step,” “Boogie Back,” and ”Shorty George.”

In this 4-part lesson, Swing-In instructors broke down the dance and taught each step. Then, attendees had an opportunity to practice the steps during the dances.

Click below to see helpful video links for the step sequences as they were taught each nite.

Lesson 1

Shim Sham Sequence

Full Break

Push and Cross Over

Lesson 2

Tacky Annie sequence

Full Break (same as lesson 1)

Half Break sequence

Lesson 3

All of this lesson’s sequences in one video

  • Boogie back sequence

  • Boogie forward sequence

  • Shorty George sequence

Putting it all together

  • Shim Sham sequence: the second time through, shake shoulders with arms extended forward and downward

  • Full Break sequence: add Apple Jacks on the steps back (lesson 1)

  • Push & Crossover sequence: with palms facing down, arms slightly extended, move arms forward and back with the pushes (lesson 1)

  • Tacky Annie sequence: palms and hands up (hands at shoulders), flex them back on the touches back (lesson 2)

  • Half Break sequence: right hand flares out forward, left hand flares out backwards, left leg kicks backwards on the hop step (lesson 2)

  • Boogie back: have fun with the claps (lesson 3)

  • Boogie forward: snap fingers and extend arms overhead on the brush steps (lesson 3)

  • Shorty George: swing arms side-to-side as each step is taken forward (lesson 3)

Lesson 4

Full Shim Sham

Learn the Waltz

Thursday Nite Swing-In generally plays 1-2 waltz songs each dance, so dancers were treated to a free waltz lesson for those interested.

Learn Rockabilly Jive

Rockabilly Jive is a vibrant 4-count dance style inspired by swing and rock-'n'-roll. It became popular in the 1950's and is typically done to 50's rock and Rockabilly music (mix of country and rhythm and blues). It is an energetic dance that looks flashy with just a few simple moves!