Four on the Floor - Austin's Home for Swing and Lindy Hop.
Austinites love to dance. Have a fun and relaxed experience in the best house in town
If you don't know anyone when you get here, you'll have a new group of friends when you leave.
With our classes, you will be able to dance out in the Austin music scene:
Dancing for Jazz and Swing Music, for Blues Music, for Country Music, for Rockabilly Music
We've got your back
GROUP CLASSES on TUESDAY NIGHTS
at the TEXAS FEDERATION OF WOMEN'S CLUBS MANSION
2312 San Gabriel, Austin, Texas 78705 (the corner of San Gabriel and 24th St.)See the Fed at http://themansion.info/
May Classes Begin On May 1.
There's still time to join classes this month - come on in Tuesday, May 8.
We will be closed on May 29 for the Memorial Day Weekend
Check us out on Facebook, become our friend, and view a video tour of FOTF
http://Facebook.com/Four-on-the-Floor/
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE CLASS SCHEDULE -
CURRENT CLASS SCHEDULE
The next Intermediate Balboa Workshop will be in May on May 19. - Go to our workshops page
CLASS DESCRIPTIONS
CLASS PRICES AND REGISTRATION
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 on May 1.
There's still time to join classes this month - come on in Tuesday, May 8.
SUMMER CLASS DATES:
May 29 - Closed for Memorial Day Weekend.
June 5, 12, 19, 26 - JUNE CLASSES
July 3 - Closed for Fourth of July Holiday.
July 10, 17, 24 and 31 - JULY CLASSES
August 7, 14, 21 and 28 - Closed for Summer Break
September 4 - SEPTEMBER CLASSES BEGIN
MAY SCHEDULE
7:15 pm
Lindy 2 with Sally Matsumae and Johnny Serrano
Lindy 3 with Laura Malloy and ChiaWen Lin
Lindy 4 with Jennifer Monk and Jonathan Jow
8:30 pm
Introduction to Swing Dancing with Sally Matsumae and Johnny Serrano
Lindy 1 with Charlotte Brady and Philippe Wilson
Intermediate Collegiate Shag with Tabitha and Joseph from D.C.
Beginning Balboa with Laura Malloy and Matt Jones
CLASS DESCRIPTIONS :
7:15 PM
LINDY 2 with Sally Matsumae and Johnny Serrano
This month the class will learn Tandem Chaleston, along with other fun Lindy Patterns.
May 1 - Getting Your Lindy and Charleston Game On
This class opens with a great review and refresher
of Lindy fundamentals.
Plus the Sushi and a review of an outside turn.
May 8 - Fine Points of Tandem Charleston
An entry, and an exit, both into, and out of, Lindy. Maybe a Tandem variation.
May 15 - Tandem Variations
Johnny and Sally's choice for Tandem and Lindy Variations.
May 22 - Fun and Flashy
Johnny and Sally's choice for Tandem and Lindy Variations.
Fun
LINDY 3 - with Laura Malloy and Chia-Wen Lin
Topic - Frankie's Favorites, or Old School Lindy Hop
Chia-Wen returns to teach a month of Lindy 3 with Laura.
Both he and Laura are wonderful at teaching the great traditional Lindy Hop
variations and stylings.
Since this is the month of Frankie Manning's birthday.
For the Intermediate Level Lindy Hopper (and above) who
wants to improve the use of the patterns and stylings
they have learned, while fine-tuning their ability
to lead and follow Lindy Hop at this level.
LINDY 4 - with Jennifer Monk and Jonathan Jow
For the Lindy Hopper who has taken a lot of Intermediate Level Classes, but now
wants to kick their dancing up to the next level.
They want to stretch themselves and feel challenged as they hone their
dance skills to a fine edge.
8:30 PM
INTRO TO SWING with Sally Matsumae and Johnny Serrano
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 technique of leading and following.
LINDY 1 - with Charlotte Brady and Philippe Wilson
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 4-week series.
Students must come to all four classes in this series in order
to move on to Lindy 2 (No exceptions).
INTERMEDIATE COLLEGIATE SHAG, with Tabitha and Joseph
Joseph and Tabitha are from Washington, D.C.
They've been here for the Hot Rhythm Holiday, where they taught some excellent classes.
Austin in now their home and we're very grateful to have them here for their first
class series to teach here in Austin.
They will teach some new shag variations new to Austin, along with
some kick variations and timing variations to add some spice to your dancing.
've
To take this class, you need to have completed a Beginning Collegiate Class series.
BEGINNING BALBOA with Laura Malloy and Matt Jones.
If you've seen Balboa and want to learn more about it, this is the class for you.
The teachers will take you through all the basics over 4 weeks
and get you ready for the social dance floor.
If you have had the class before but want to get better at the basics,
you can retake the class for a reduced price ($10 per class or $25 for the series)
Come learn this fun, fast-paced swing dance which started in
California and is still popular among swing dancers today. Balboa is especially
popular in Austin because of all the great live music which the dance fits so well.
Learn Balboa from the ground up. A dynamic and fun 4-week series that
teaches the basics of Balboa that each beginner needs to know.
May 1 - Week One
Learn the Balboa 8-count Basic and the Come-Around
May 8 - Week Two
Review the Balboa Basic and the Come-Around, and move on to Lollies
May 15 - Week Three
Review the Balboa Basic and the Come-Around, and learn the Throw-Out
May 22 - Week Four
Review the Balboa Basic and the Come-Around, and learn the Cross-Overs
MINI-PRIVATE LESSONS
with Alex Cloutier
Free for everone currently enrolled in Lindy 2
9:40 PM
Dance in the ballroom With DeeJays:
May 1 - with D.J. David Bradford. No cover charge.
May 8 - with D.J. Reed Penney. No cover charge.
May 15 - with D.J. Nathan Malone. No cover charge.
May 22 - with D.J. Nik Brauer. No cover charge.
Our June Classes Begin June 5.
We are closed on May 29, the day after Memorial Day.
June Classes begin on June 5
JUNE SCHEDULE
7:15 pm
Lindy 2 with Sally Matsumae and Johnny Serrano
Lindy 3 with teachers to be announced
Lindy 4 with Andrew Munoz and partner to be announced
8:30 pm
Introduction to Swing Dancing with teachers to be announced
Lindy 1 with teachers to be announced
Blues with Philippe and beautiful Elizabeth
4th Class to be announced
CLASS DESCRIPTIONS :
7:15 PM
LINDY 2 with Sally Matsumae and Johnny Serrano
This month the class will learn fun Lindy Patterns, stylings and essential technique.
June 5 - Getting Your Lindy Game On
This class opens with a great review and refresher
of Lindy fundamentals.
Plus the R.J. and a review of Outside-turn from Swing-out.
June 12 - Swing-out variations: Charleston, plus mixing 6- and 8-count patterns
Outside Turn Variation, Side-to-Side Charleston, Catch in side-by-side Charleston,
6-count Send Out.
June 19 - Lindy Variations
Basic 8-count tuck turn, Crosshand - cross-catch tuck turn, Skater’s Position.
June 26 - Fun and Flashy
Swing out to a hand switch, Review Skaters position, Tuck-turn exit from skaters,
Add "Showboat Step", Mini-dip.
Fun
LINDY 3 - with teachers to be announced
Topic - to be annonced
Class details to be posted here, later.
For the Intermediate Level Lindy Hopper (and above) who
wants to improve the use of the patterns and stylings
they have learned, while fine-tuning their ability
to lead and follow Lindy Hop at this level.
LINDY 4 - with Andrew Munoz and partner to be announced
For the Lindy Hopper who has taken a lot of Intermediate Level Classes, but now
wants to kick their dancing up to the next level.
They want to stretch themselves and feel challenged as they hone their
dance skills to a fine edge.
8:30 PM
INTRO TO SWING with teachers to be announced
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 technique of leading and following.
LINDY 1 - with teachers to be announced
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 4-week series.
Students must come to all four classes in this series in order
to move on to Lindy 2 (No exceptions).
THIRD CLASS, with teachers to be announced
Topic to be announced here, later.
Class details to be announced here, later.
BLUES with Philippe Wilson and beautiful Elizabeth.
Class Topic and Details to be posted here, later
MINI-PRIVATE LESSONS
with Alex Cloutier
Free for everone currently enrolled in Lindy 2
9:40 PM
Dance in the ballroom With DeeJays:
June 5 - with D.J. Reed Penney. No cover charge.
June 12 - with D.J. David Bradford. No cover charge.
June 19 - with D.J. Nathan Malone. No cover charge.
June 26 - with D.J. Nik Brauer. No cover charge.
Our July Classes Begin July 10.
We are closed on July 3, the day before the Fourth of July.
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:
$15 for a single class
$25 for two classes in one night
If you pay for a class series:
$45 for a four-week series (ALL CLASSES)
$70 for two four-week series in the same month
Class Credits: If a student pre-pays for an entire
month of either 1 or 2 series, but fails to take
one of some of the classes, they will receive one
credit for one class in the next month. If that credit
is not used in that month, then it elapses.
CLASS DESCRIPTIONS
Intro to Swing:
4-week series This is the most familiar and user-friendly version
of swing, seen in the nightclubs around Austin and on virtually
every dance floor.
This is a 6-count rhythm, aka East Coast Swing/Jitterbug,
but with an “old-school,” club-dancing style.
This is considered to be a basic element of Lindy Hop,
and makes an excellent introduction to the rest of our
classes. We teach the basic step, new turns and moves
each week, and basic skills to lead or follow successfully.
Lindy One:
4-week series
This class is a very thorough introduction to the basic
steps and fundamental skills of Lindy. Get the must-have
moves: The Charleston, The Swingout (the signature basic
step of Lindy Hop), and The Lindy Circle. After that,
the class adds several more simple turns and moves,
dance with style, and lead or follow clearly.
Students must come to all four classes in this series in
order to move on to Lindy 2 (No exceptions).
Lindy Two:
These are four 4 week series, which can be taken
in any order.
You must have completed the Lindy Hop 1 series in order
to enroll in Lindy 2.
The Lindy 2 lessons include variations on the basics
from Lindy Hop 1, keys and exercises to sharpen your skills,
and a wide vocabulary of must-have moves and steps.
Lindy 2 also includes many varieties of Charleston,
including “Tandem” Charleston.
For current class content, see the schedule
for this month, above.
Lindy Three:
4 week series, alternating themes each month
Completion of Lindy Hop 2 4-month program required
Talk to your teacher before moving on.
Every series builds your quality of movement and
partnering skills. We work toward moving, looking,
and feeling like an accomplished Lindy Hopper.
Intermediate-to-advanced themes include:
Breaking Out of the Basics, Total Recall - Improving the Basic Patterns
of Lindy 1 and 2, Spins and Turns - Technique and Patterns,
Swing-out Fun and Games, Picking up the Tempo - Fast Lindy,
Improvising with Styling Steps, Musicality,
Smooth and Slow Lindy, Integrating Jazz Steps,
Breaking Out of the Count, The Lead/Follow Challenge,
Lindy Hop Classics - Cool Stuff that Frankie Taught Us,
Advanced Tandem Charleston, and Basics Boot Camp.
Lindy 4:
4-week series.
Class Series is back on. We are happy that Teni Lopez-Cardenas and Andrew Munoz
joined us in January 2011 to re-start the Lindy 4 Classes
We are proud to have Teni and Andrew join our staff in 2011 as Lindy teachers
They both moved here from Colorado in 2010 - Teni from Denver and Andrew from Fort Collins
Teni and Andrew taught Lindy Hop for several years in the highly competitive dance scene
in the Denver-Boulder-Fort Collns area
We feel they have a lot to offer to the dancers who are ready for the Lindy 4 level.
Admission by invitation only, or by permission of the teachers..
This is an advanced curriculum to be determined by the instructors
teaching the class. Dancers must have completed the curriculum
offered in Lindy 3 and/or raised their dancing to the level
which is sought to be developed there.
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.
