Upcoming events!
Check out these events and also like the facebook page to get a weekly list of swing dance and music events at www.facebook.com/AZLindy
February and March 2024

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Swing and Blues on the Roof with the The Sugar Thieves
Wednesdays in February (7th, 14th, 21st, and 28th)
Cambria Rooftop Bar - 222 E Portland St, Phoenix, AZ
Live music from 6pm - 8pm, DJ playing swing and soul from 8pm-9:30pm
Swing dance lesson at 7:45pm, Free, All ages welcome
https://www.facebook.com/events/350513451158597

Join us for a dance event like no other! A live band playing swing and blues on a rooftop overlooking downtown Phoenix.
This is a FREE event - having food and drink encouraged so this event can continue to be offered for free - food and drink menu posted in discussion section.

Free swing dance lesson
No partner needed. No dance experience necessary.

6:00pm - 9:30pm, FREE, All ages
6pm-8pm: Live music with the Sugar Thieves
7:45pm-8:05pm: Swing dance lesson
8pm-9:30pm: DJ playing swing and soul music in the rooftop corner

Special time on 2/14 for Valentine's Day. Band will play from 5:30pm-7:30pm with a swing dance lesson during the band break.

Not a dancer? No problem, come for some food and/or drinks while listening to great live music on a rooftop. There is no pressure to dance. BUT, there will be a beginners blues dance lesson during the band break.

Kick-back with a drink in hand, share small plates with friends, and soak in the 360-degree scenery from the Cambria Rooftop bar and lounge.

The Sugar Thieves have a sultry blues roots foundation, and powerhouse delta sound that will take you back in time. They also come equipped with a fresh new style, high-energy showmanship, and an original song list that brings music enthusiasts, of any age, to their feet.

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February 2024 Thursday night progressive series - Tranky Doo - Vintage Jazz Line Dance
Three Thursdays - February 1st, 8th, and 15th
Join the Arizona Lindy Hop Society for an exciting new Tranky Doo two week series classes that will have you on the dance floor feeling more confident and having fun with jazz steps. This 2 week progressive series will challenge you and help your dancing grow.
The Tranky Doo is a vintage routine that was choreographed by legendary dancer Frankie Manning in the 1930s, and is done by Lindy Hoppers all over the world.

Dancewise Dance Studio: 5555 N. 7th Street, Phoenix, AZ
7:00-8:20pm: Tranky Doo lesson
All ages welcome, no partner needed.
$15 per person, per class
These classes are progressive and build on the previous class each week

https://www.facebook.com/events/3080959935371959

Class with Steve Conrad who is the founder and director of the Arizona Lindy Hop Society and has been teaching Lindy Hop and swing dancing for more than 27 years. He has traveled around the world teaching with tours across the US, Europe, and China. His first Lindy Hop teacher was the legendary Frankie Manning and Steve produced the Arizona Swing Jam workshop with Frankie in AZ for 14 years until Frankie's passing at age 94. Steve was featured on ABC's "The Bachelorette", HGTV's "House Hunters", Arizona Highways TV, and NBC's "Little Big Shots: Forever Young". Steve helped lead a pilot program for teaching ballroom dance to people experiencing homelessness at the Human Services Campus in Phoenix and has used dance as a healing modality for children in the foster care system by teaching for Free Arts for Abused Children of Arizona. In 2021, Phoenix mayor Kate Gallego declared April 29th "Steve Conrad Day" for his contribution to dance and the arts in Phoenix.

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Rattle and Roll Night
Friday, February 9th
Phoenix's new 1950s Rock'n' Roll and Jiver's Night! (No cover).
Rockabilly Jive dance lesson at 7pm followed by non-stop Rock'n' Roll, Jump Blues, Doo-Wop, Boppers and Strollers til 1am
Starlite Lounge - 4346 W. Olive Ave, Glendale, AZ
7:00pm: Rockabilly Jive Dance Lesson
8:00pm-1:00am: Dance to DJ's playing the best Rockabilly
FREE, 21+
https://www.facebook.com/events/738916217859375

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Mardi Gras Celebration - Fundraiser for Rosie's House School of Music
Saturday, February 10th
with the Sugar Thieves and more!
Gourmet Buffet Dinner included.
@ the home of Sujoy and Richard (swing dancers)
7344 N. 22nd Pl., Phoenix, AZ
6:00pm-10:00pm, $45 adults (adv.), $20 for under 21 (adv.)
RSVP to Sujoy740@aol.com

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March 2024 Thursday night progressive series - East Coast Swing/ 6-Count Lindy
Three Thursdays - March 7, 21, 28
Join the Arizona Lindy Hop Society for an exciting new 6-count lindy aka East Coast Swing three-week series of classes that will have you on the dance floor feeling more confident and having fun. This 3 week progressive series will challenge you and help your dancing grow while learning how to lead/follow and add new steps to your dancing.
Note: No class on 3/14

Dancewise Dance Studio: 5555 N. 7th Street, Phoenix, AZ
7:00-8:10pm: Dance lesson
All ages welcome, no partner needed.
$15 per person, per class
These classes are progressive and build on the previous class each week

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Grey Delisle, backed by Eddie Clendening and the Blue Ribbon Boys
Saturday, March 9th
Dirty Drummer - 2303 N. 44th St., Phoenix, AZ
7:30pm: Arizona Two-Step Dance Lesson with Steve Conrad
8:00pm-1:00am: Dance to live music
FREE, 21+
https://www.facebook.com/events/3757211737899298

Grey DeLisle (aka Grey Griffen) is a Grammy winning singer/ songwriter who is one of the most prolific voice actors in American animation, having performed over 1,500 cartoon voices since 1996. She is the voice of Princess/Firelord Azula from "Avatar the Last Airbender", Daphne Blake from "Scooby Doo", Martin Prince from "The Simpsons", Vicky from “The Fairly Odd Parents,” Samantha “Sam” Manson from “Danny Phantom,” Mandy from “The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy,” and so many more! This will be an incredible show not to miss!

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Alaska Lindy and Balboa Cruise

July 2-9, 2024

Join us for a beautiful trip to Alaska on the Lindy and Balboa Alaska Cruise. We will start in Seattle and start the night before the cruise by attending a local dance.
Here are the ports of call: Seattle, WA ► Tracy Arm Fjord ► Skagway, AK ► Juneau, Alaska ► Ketchikan, Alaska ► Victoria, Canada
This will be a 7-day Lindy Cruise aboard the Carnival Dream while dancing our way to the Northern Lights!

Instructors: Steve Conrad (Phoenix, AZ), Stephanie Lee Demetreon (Bellingham, WA), Jason and Crystal Warner (Abbotsford, B.C., CAN), Jerry and Kat Warwick (Dallas, TX)

Classes during days at sea, dances at night on the ship to our DJs and the ship's live music! Learn to dance from top international instructors from around the U.S. with classes in Lindy Hop, East Coast Swing, Charleston, vintage jazz steps & line dances, and so much more! Beginning to advanced level classes.

Singles and couples welcome - plenty of partners for everyone. We will enjoy our dance lessons and continue the fun at our private dance cocktail parties! We dine as a group and we have some fun theme nights too!
The fun never stops and you will make memories and friends that can last a lifetime.

You MUST book with our group to participate in the dances, workshops, and group dining!

www.LindyCruise.com

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LIVE MUSIC AND SWING DANCE EVENTS:
Get the weekly list of live music happenings at www.facebook.com/AZLindy
Weds., 2/7
The Sugar Thieves
Cambria Rooftop Bar - 222 E Portland St, Phoenix, AZ
Swing dance lesson at 8:00pm
6:00pm - 9:30pm, Free, 21+
Thurs., 2/8
Tranky Doo classes at Dancewise (see above for details)

Thurs., 2/8
Big Daddy D & The Dynamites
Rhythm Room - 1019 E. Indian School Rd., Phoenix AZ
8:00 pm - 11:00 pm, $15, 21+

 

Fri., 2/9
Rattle and Roll Night
Starlite Lounge - 4346 W. Olive Ave, Glendale, AZ
7:00pm: Rockabilly Jive Dance Lesson
8:00pm-1:00am: Dance to DJ's playing the best Rockabilly
FREE, 21+
Weds., 2/14
The Sugar Thieves
Cambria Rooftop Bar - 222 E Portland St, Phoenix, AZ
Swing dance lesson at 6:20pm
5:30pm - 8:00pm, Free, 21+
Thurs., 2/15
Tranky Doo classes at Dancewise (see above for details)

Thurs., 2/15
Booze Bombs (from Germany) with Tin Can Screamers, Downhill Fast
Rhythm Room - 1019 E. Indian School Rd., Phoenix AZ
8:00 pm - 11:00 pm, $10, 21+

 

Weds., 2/21
The Sugar Thieves
Cambria Rooftop Bar - 222 E Portland St, Phoenix, AZ
Swing dance lesson at 8:00pm
6:00pm - 9:30pm, Free, 21+
Weds., 2/21
Igor and The Red Elvises
Rhythm Room - 1019 E. Indian School Rd., Phoenix AZ
8:00 pm - 11:00 pm, $12, 21+
Fri., 2/23
COME BACK BUDDY
Desert Ridge Marketplace District Stage - 21001 N Tatum Blvd, Phoenix, AZ
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm , Free, All ages
Sat., 2/24
Big Sandy and His Fly Rite Boys with Brea Burns and the Boleros
Rhythm Room - 1019 E. Indian School Rd., Phoenix AZ
8:00 pm - 11:00 pm, $25, 21+

Sat., 2/24
Legendary Count Basie Orchestra Celebrates Sarah Vaughan with Carmen Bradford
Madison Center for the Arts - 5601 N 16th St, Phoenix, AZ
7:30pm – 9:30pm
$59, $79 and $250 for VIP which includes pre concert reception with auction, hosted hors d'oeuvres and bar.
All ages
Tickets are available at thenash.org

 

Weds., 2/28
The Sugar Thieves
Cambria Rooftop Bar - 222 E Portland St, Phoenix, AZ
Swing dance lesson at 8:00pm
6:00pm - 9:30pm, Free, 21+

 

Fri., 3/1
The Sugar Thieves
Rhythm Room - 1019 E. Indian School Rd., Phoenix AZ
8:00 pm - 11:00 pm, $20, 21+
Sat., 3/2
Reverend Horton Heat, Dale Watson, Jason D. Williams
Rhythm Room - 1019 E. Indian School Rd., Phoenix AZ
8:00 pm - 11:00 pm, $35, 21+
Sun., 3/3
Reverend Horton Heat, Dale Watson, Jason D. Williams
Rhythm Room - 1019 E. Indian School Rd., Phoenix AZ
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm, $35-$45, 21+
Weds., 3/6
The Hi-Jivers
Rhythm Room - 1019 E. Indian School Rd., Phoenix AZ
8:00 pm - 12:00 am, $15, 21+
Fri., 3/8
Preservation Hall Jazz Band
MIM Music Theater - 4725 E. Mayo Blvd. Phoenix, AZ
6:30pm and 8:30pm, $59–$69, all ages
Sat., 3/9
Grey Delisle, backed by Eddie Clendening and the Blue Ribbon Boys
Dirty Drummer - 2303 N. 44th St., Phoenix, AZ
7:30pm: Arizona Two-Step Dance Lesson with Steve Conrad
8:00pm-1:00am: Dance to live music
FREE, 21+

Sat., 3/16
HART Fund Blues Fundraiser with Sugaray Rayford, Janiva Magness, Anson Funderburgh, Andy T Band, Kevin & Yates McKendree, Bob Corritore, Jimi Primetime Smith, Eric Ramsey
Rhythm Room - 1019 E. Indian School Rd., Phoenix AZ
7:00 pm - 12:00 am, $25, 21+

 

Weekly event updates at www.Facebook.com/AZLindy

Swing Out - Lindy Hop, Swing, Balboa, and Blues Events around the World
see a full list of events around the world at: http://www.swingplanit.com/

Feb 16-18, 2024
Ljubljana International Swing Academy
Ljubljana, Slovenia
http://www.vintage-lisa.com

Feb 16-18, 2024
Budapest Balboa Meeting
Budapest, Hungary
http://www.budapestbalboameeting.com

Feb 16-18, 2024
Hot Rhythm Holiday
Austin, Texas
https://www.hotrhythmholiday.com

Feb. 17-25, 2024
Lindy and Balboa Cruise from Tampa to Costa Rica, Panama, and Cayman Islands
Tampa, FL
www.LindyCruise.com

Feb. 23-25, 2024
Sicily Balboa Exchange
Catania, Italy
https://www.sicilybalboaexchange.it/

March 1-3, 2024
Vietnam Lindy Exchange
Hoi An, Viet Nam
http://www.thevlx.net

March 9-10, 2024
Cork Swing Exchange
Cork, Ireland
https://cork-swing-exchange.mailchimpsites.com/

March 14-17, 2024
Lindyfest
Houston, Texas
https://www.lindyfest.org/home

March 22-24, 2024
San Diego Balboa and Lindy Exchange
San Diego, CA
http://www.sdblx.org

April 1-7, 2024
New York City’s BAL WEEK
New York City - Manhattan
http://www.balweek.com

April 5-7, 2024
Gentse Lindy Hoppers Exchange
Ghent, Belgium
https://gentsehoppersexchange.com/

April 12-14, 2024
Prague Swing Spring Festival
Prague, Czech Republic
http://www.pragueswingfestivals.com

April 19-21, 2024
DC Lindy Exchange (DCLX)
Washington, DC
http://www.dclx.org

April 19-21, 2024
Portland Lindy Exchange
Portland, OR
https://www.portlandlindysociety.com/pdxlx

April 25-28, 2024
Copenhagen Lindy Exchange
Copenhagen, Denmark
https://copenhagenlindyexchange.dk/

May 1-5, 2024
Menorca Lindy Exchange 2024
Ciutadella de Menorca, Spain
http://www.menorcalindyexchange.com

May 24-27, 2024
Camp Jitterbug & the Jump Session Show
Seattle, WA
http://www.campjitterbug.com

July 2-9, 2024
Alaska Lindy and Balboa Cruise 
www.LindyCruise.com

On the Web

Each month we will offer you some web videos that are making their way around the world.  We have a video page up filled with vintage and new swing dance clips: azlindy.com/videos/

What is Lindy Hop?: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fDIPCuGpjE

Late Night Lindy Hop Contest at Lindy Focus (Dec. 2023): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ClZTGXmCVlQ

Strictly Lindy Finals in Istanbul: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VVWPOQbAuFM

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Spotify playlists:

Try these playlists to listen to some great swing music.
Lindy Hop classics playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/69NPgwwgbifxzjquCHQiDF?si=da650ae9aa7542db

Best of Postmodern Jukebox: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/491zthVOXH5iLr3oU4fgGj?si=7053224e7da44bce

Dance Etiquette - A Lindy hoppers guide to Dance etiquette
Unsolicited Teaching
This is unfortunately one of the more common breaches of dance etiquette. This often happens when a dancer stops in the middle of a song to correct his or her partner, or tell them how to execute a move. Ironically, this error is often committed by individuals who are not fit to teach. Experienced social dancers dance at the level of their partners. Even for experienced dancers, the social dance floor is not the place to teach or to correct your partner. It is better to concentrate on patterns that both partners can do and enjoy. Unsolicited teaching can be humiliating and can take the fun out of dancing.

Ten ways to improve your dancing

1. Private lessons are the single best way to learn how to dance
2. Go to group classes and social dancing as often as possible
3. Attend weekend camps for an immersion experience and jump start your dancing
4. Travel and dance out of town
5. Dance with a variety of people, of all dance levels, as much as possible.
6. Watch experienced dancers when you go out, on the internet, and anywhere else you can
7. Record yourself dancing and look at your lines and how you can improve
8. Listen to lots of swing music and dance to live music as often as possible
9. Try other dance forms
10. Have fun, be creative, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes

AZ Swing Dance - Join the AZ Lindy Hop Society for the best swing dance events in the greater Phoenix area!!