Heart Beat of Lindy Hop

Frequently Asked Questions

What do I wear for workshops?

We recommend anything comfortable that you can move around in. We would also suggest wearing layers as it can get quite hot swing dancing. Most people come straight from work and do not bother changing though it’s wise to bring a change of top with you for the journey home. For footwear, we recommend flat shoes or plimsolls; high heels can be very difficult to swing dance in! We recommend shoes with hard-leather or suede soles for dancing Balboa. For Aerial workshops, at least one of the partnership should wear long sleeves and remove all jewellery and watches.

Do I need a dance partner for workshops?

It depends on the workshop. For most of them, you won’t need a partner for but for certain workshops, for example our aerials workshops, you will need to book with a partner you feel comfortable dancing with.

Can I only dance with the person I came to the workshop with?

Our workshops teach people how to dance socially and part of the learning process is dancing with the other students in class. We find people progress much quicker when they learn to dance with multiple people and you can always practice with your friend outside of class! The exception to this is our aerials workshops where it’s advisable to book with a partner you feel comfortable with.

What level do I need to be for a workshop?

This depends on the individual workshop. The workshop description should tell you what you need to know. If it is a beginner workshop (Level 1), everyone is welcome. All our beginner workshops are suitable for those in the early stages of learning and will also cater for total beginners with no prior knowledge. So whether you've been to several level 1 classes already or never danced before - you'll be just fine! For other levels, check the description on the workshop description.

I'm not sure I'm fit enough for a workshop, can you advise?

I’m afraid we can’t advise on individual’s suitability for a workshop. Most of our workshops will be 3-4 hours of dancing but the content and intensity varies for each workshop. If you are worried, please do consult your doctor.

What are leads and follows?

As with other social dances like Ballroom and Tango, Lead and Follow refers to the different roles in the dance. A Lead will lead each move and the Follow will follow the moves and often add embellishments.

What is your cancellation policy?

Some of our venues have a fixed capacity so we close off the spots at a set point. For this reason cancellations are not transferable or refundable without 24 hours notice as we will probably have turned away other dancers. Thanks for understanding. We are pretty friendly and approachable so always call us and hopefully we can assist you!