Four on the Floor - The premier Swing Dancing and Lindy
Hop studio of Austin since 1997.
Offering lindy hop and swing dance lessons, featuring group classes
with Austin's most experienced instructors.
TUESDAY AT THE FED
- MAY SCHEDULE BEGINS MAY 6
- JUNE SCHEDULE BEGINS JUNE 3
CLICK BELOW TO LEARN ABOUT OUR
SWING DANCE AND LINDY HOP GROUP CLASSES
WHAT DO WE DO?
Why take swing dancing or lindy hop classes in Austin? Well, to us, dancing is the way to become a part of the Austin we love: the music, the atmosphere, and the people. There's nothing better than moving around and letting yourself go to a great song; there's also nothing scarier than feeling like you don't know what you're doing, right? We know! Four on the Floor believes in social dancing in the real world — so our swing and lindy hop lessons keep it simple, social, and down to earth. We offer expert teaching with an easy attitude and the loose, fun nightclub style that will get you out there.
WHAT IS LINDY HOP? WHAT IS SWING DANCING?
"Swing" dancing takes many forms, and has its roots in the rhythms of swing music... but the grandaddy dance form is known as Lindy Hop. It was not invented overnight; it grew out of a culture of social-dancers and shaped by some now-legendary street dancers in the age of big-band jazz, from the late 20's through the 40's. Lindy Hop often draws special attention on a dancefloor, just because it looks so different... it seems so fluid and flying, and no two people dance it exactly alike! But the ABC's of Lindy Hop come straight from the rhythm and feel of the music, and the patterns become something to play with and make your own.
HOW DO THE CLASSES WORK?
Every month in Austin, there is a new four-week series of swing and lindy
hop classes. There are several levels to step you up as you become comfortable
with swing and lindy hop and build the vocabulary and skills you need,
four weeks at a time.
Our class series are progressive - each week builds on the material taught
the weeks before. Please start each series with the first class
in the series. We ask that Students not start a series after the second
week.
You don't need a partner, and you can pay as you go if you wish. Registration on the first class day of the month is all it takes. Go to class descriptions for more details.
Complete each series at each level, repeat or drop in again as you like, and step up when you are ready; if you need help or feedback, we are happy to give you our time!
CLASS PRICES AND REGISTRATION
REGISTRATION
All class registration is at the door. There is no advanced registration.
There is no requirement to reserve a space in classes.
PRICES
If you pay as you go:
$10 for a single class
$15 for two classes in one night
If you pay for a class series:
$35 for a four-week series (Intro to Swing, Lindy 2, Lindy 3, or Lindy 4)
$54 for a series of six classes (Lindy 1)
OUR SCHEDULE OF CLASSES
Join us in CENTRAL AUSTIN on TUESDAYS for a full night of our original program of swing and lindy-hop classes. —
MAY CLASSES BEGIN MAY 6th
SWING AND LINDY HOP CLASSES ARE AT
THE TEXAS FEDERATION OF WOMEN'S CLUB
24th St. @ San Gabriel
7:15 PM
INTRO TO SWING with Brandy Retzolk and Martin Knapick
4-week Series
If you've done a little social dancing (maybe even tried swing a few
times), or if you've never danced before, this is the right class for
you. Learn the basics of swing dancing - the rhythm, the patterns and
the basic techniqueof leading and following.
LINDY 2 with Kim Hardi and Jeremy Emack
May 6 - Charleston
Kick-through Charleston, Hand-to-Hand Charleston
May 13 - Swing-out variations
Roll-out, Texas Tommy, Lindy Circle from a cross-hand
May 20 - Lindy Variations-Techniques
Lindy Starter-step, Circle, staring from closed position, Pimp-walk, to
push back into starter step, Reversed send -out, Swingout to 2-hand hold,
Basket/button Swing-out, Basket/button circle step, Tuck-turn to free-turn
for follow
May 27 - Fun and Flashy
Corridor tuck-turn, Frog-jump, Jump-tuck-turn
LINDY 3 - with Laura Malloy and Matt Jones
A class for students who have learned and become comfortable
with the vocabulary of Lindy 2, or the equivalent. In May, Laura and Matt
focus on the individual students in class with specific attention and
feedback, plus taking some of the Lindy basics and injecting them with some
new variety. Lots of individual improvement and expansion
of vocabulary.
8:30 PM
LINDY 1 - The APRIL Series Continues
with Kim Hardi and Jeremy Emack
Learn Lindy Hop from the ground up. Start the first week with side-by-side
Charleston. As more lindy hop patterns are taught, the class will also learn
the posture, rhythm and the technique of leading and following Lindy Hop.
A dynamic and fun 6-week series.
LINDY 1 - The MAY Series Begins
with instructors Lenore Saltz and Matt Jones
Learn Lindy Hop from the ground up. Start the first week with side-by-side
Charleston. As more lindy hop patterns are taught, the class will also learn
the posture, rhythm and the technique of leading and following Lindy Hop.
A dynamic and fun 6-week series.
WORKSHOP CLASS - With Bill Borgida and Laura Malloy
Open to all Lindy 2 and Lindy 3 dancers and those with equivalent experience.
Week One is the shim-sham with Laura, where she will be adding embellishments
to the traditional shim-sham on the breaks.
In the last 3 weeks of the class, Laura and Bill will incorporate a lot of the
jazz movement from the shim-sham in your Lindy to improve the quality of your
dance movement and enhance your dance vocabulary. (Questions? E-mail Matt at
matt@fouronhtefloor.com).
MINI-PRIVATE LESSONS Starting on May6
with Justin Friesenhahn
Free for everone currently enrolled in Lindy 2
9:40 PM
Dance in the ballroom With DeeJays:May 6 - with D.J. Nathan Malone No cover charge.
May 13 - with D.J. T.B.A. No cover charge.
May 20 - with D.J. T.B.A. No cover charge.
May 27 - with D.J. T.B.A. No cover charge.
JUNE CLASSES BEGIN JUNE 3
SWING AND LINDY HOP CLASSES ARE AT
THE TEXAS FEDERATION OF WOMEN'S CLUB
24th St. @ San Gabriel
7:15 PM
INTRO TO SWING with Brandy Retzolk and Martin Knapick
4-week Series
If you've done a little social dancing (maybe even tried swing a few
times), or if you've never danced before, this is the right class for
you. Learn the basics of swing dancing - the rhythm, the patterns and
the basic techniqueof leading and following.
LINDY 2 teachers to be announced here soon
June 3 - Charleston (Tandem)
Kick-step/Jig Walk, Entry to Tandem Charleston, Exit from Tandem Charleston
June 10 - Swing-out variations - Technique of Fast Lindy
Fast Movement technique and putting it to use in the swing-out, Tandem review
from week before, Bringing it all together
June 17 - Lindy Variations - Jazz It Up
Jazz Steps: boogie-up, boogie back, suzy-q, and boogie drop; Tandem Variations:
New tandem entry - the rock-block entry, Follow’s 360, Follow’s push-out
June 24 - Fun and Flashy
Swing out variation (lead’s suzy-q and follow’s switches), Tandem Variations:
left-turn kicks, RJ with peel out, Drunken Sailor or side dip
LINDY 3 - teachers to be announced here soon
A class for students who have learned and become comfortable
with the vocabulary of Lindy 2, or the equivalent.
8:30 PM
LINDY 1 - The MAY Series Continues
with Matt Jones and Lenore Saltz
Learn Lindy Hop from the ground up. Start the first week with side-by-side
Charleston. As more lindy hop patterns are taught, the class will also learn
the posture, rhythm and the technique of leading and following Lindy Hop.
A dynamic and fun 6-week series.
LINDY 1 - The JUNE Series Begins
teachers to be announced here soon
Learn Lindy Hop from the ground up. Start the first week with side-by-side
Charleston. As more lindy hop patterns are taught, the class will also learn
the posture, rhythm and the technique of leading and following Lindy Hop.
A dynamic and fun 6-week series.
WORKSHOP CLASS - teachers and subject to be announced here soon
MINI-PRIVATE LESSONS Starting on June 3
with Justin Friesenhahn
Free for everone currently enrolled in Lindy 2
9:40 PM
Dance in the ballroom With DeeJays:June 3 - with D.J. Nathan Malone No cover charge.
June 10 - with D.J. T.B.A. No cover charge.
June 17 - with D.J. T.B.A. No cover charge.
June 24 - with D.J. T.B.A. No cover charge.
CLASS DESCRIPTIONS
Intro to Swing:
There will be two months of classes in this series although only one month is required as a prerequisite for Lindy One. Students are encouraged to take both months since there is new material presented in each month.
If the student already has swing dance experience AND also knows the triple-step swing rhythm and is comfortable dancing with it, then the student can take Lindy 1 at the same time they are taking Introduction to Swing Dancing.
Lindy One:
Lindy One is a six week class series. There will be a new Lindy One session starting at the beginning of each month. There will be two weeks of workshop classes (charleston, mini privates, lead/follow, etc.) offered on weeks seven and eight which are not mandatory and are open to everyone.
Lindy Two:
There will be new material added to this class. The goal of the class will be to develop intermediate level lindy hop dancers who are ready to move on to level three. There are three months of classes in Lindy Two. Students must finish Lindy 2 before they are eligible to move on to Lindy 3.
Lindy Three:
This class will contain material designed to develop more advanced dancers by incorporating higher level patterns and concepts. The material will be different every month - always a blend of technique and challenging patterns.
Each month's class theme and its material will be set out in the class description in the schedule, above.
Lindy 4:
Currently not offered..
This is an advanced curriculum to be determined by the instructors teaching the class. This class is an addition to the program designed to challenge the advanced dancer. Each month's class theme and some of its material will be set out in the class description in the schedule, below.
We will be featuring special classes in addition to our series this year — check each month for something new and different! Class costs will sometimes vary for these — please check.
