The Swing Sesh

I really enjoy dancing lindy hop, but haven’t done consisting dancing for a while. The Swing Sesh is great in that sense– every lesson is a fresh start. In every beginner’s class they always start with the basics so no-​one feels lost or left out.
There’s always a great atmosphere during classes, and the teachers are friendly and helpful. Lindy hop and Charleston are also very physical dances, so you’re guaranteed to get a decent exercise. But most of all, it’s fun and silly and enjoyable!

A great experience even if you have two left feet — or like me, aspire to one day reach the two left feet level!
Granted, this review is based on just one experience last Thursday evening but it was so enjoyable that we’ll be back.
The 8pm lesson at the Estonian Hall on Jeffcott was for East Coast Swing and the instructors broke the steps down bit by bit. You get to try a step or 2 then partners move to the next person and they build up the dance. From 9pm the bar opens and it’s a social event to try the steps or make some new friends.
From just one lesson we were on the floor dancing (or at least trying) with a variety of friendly regulars. A blast although I’m told that other Swing dances can take a bit more practice than 1 lesson to feel confident enough to give it a go.
Got to try an interesting Estonian cider for the first time — very nice!
Take a risk and give Swing Sesh a go — you’ll be glad you did!

The teachers, a male and female couple, demonstrate a move, make sure you’re fine with it, and then let you try your moves with a partner. Like a true swinger, you are encouraged to dance with various partners. There was a shortage of men/​leaders in this particular class (like most dance classes around town), and whilst it says on their website you do not need to bring a partner, you will certainly get more out of it if you do. I have done a solo-​Charleston cause with Swing Sesh and that truly was single-​friendly.
The lindy hop class managed to cater to all varying abilities and maintained everyone’s interest. The more experienced beginners honed their skills and learnt a few new steps, whilst we virginal swingers were never left behind. I completed the class feeling comfortable with about four or five manoeuvres.
The art deco hall is entirely apt for learning dances of the 1920’s and 30’s, and is equally as welcoming as the dance teachers. Even the most gung-​ho of students can avoid accidentally half-​stepping on anyone else in the spacious ballroom. Though you don’t tend to flip around so much as a beginner, it still works up quite a sweat, but all is kept pleasant by the hall’s air-​conditioner.
Following the beginners’ lindy hop and swing class on a Thursday, The Swing Sesh Stomp unfurls from 9pm. The Stomp is a chance for dancers of all levels to whirl the night away to DJs spinning swinging hits. It’s a good chance to practice what you’ve learnt, or just have fun and meet some new people.
For first timers’ the first class is half-​price and I recommend you give it a try to see whether it’s your thing before investing in passes. Once you’ve fallen in love with this hip-​scene, the six class pass is definitely the way to go and can be used for a variety of classes over two months.
Thanks to these Swing Sesh classes I’ll soon be step, step, triple-​step, stepping along with the best of them, and until then, I feel totally at ease fumbling along in their safe and friendly learning environment.