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.
SWING AND LINDY HOP GROUP CLASSES
TUESDAYS
TEXAS FEDERATION OF WOMEN'S CLUBS MANSION
2312 San Gabriel, Austin, Texas 78705
(San Gabriel at 24th Street)
MARCH SERIES BEGINS MARCH 9
COLLEGIATE SHAG WORKSHOP - MARCH 6
BALBOA WORKSHOP - MARCH 20
INTERMEDIATE LEVEL BALBOA WORKSHOP -
MARCH 20
1:00 - 3:00 pm
At Galaxy Dance Studios
Teachers - Laura Malloy and Matt Jones
SCHEDULE AND PRICES -
Schedule:
REGISTER - 12:45 - 1 pm
CLASS 1 - 1:00 - 1:50 pm
BREAK - 1:50 - 2:05 pm
CLASS 2 - 2:05 - 3:00 pm
Prices:
$15 for one class
$25 for both classes
Cash or Check, only. No credit card payments.
No advance registration - registration at 12:45 pm at the Studio.
LOCATION -
At GALAXY DANCE STUDIOS (1700 South Lamar Blvd, Suite 338)
On the west side of Lamar, between Barton Springs and West Mary
Map at http://www.galaxydances.com/
FOR DANCERS WHO ARE READY FOR AN INTERMEDIATE LEVEL CLASS
WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW TO TAKE THE WORKSHOP ?
We assume that everyone in the workshop will have taken
some of our previous Saturday Balboa Workshops, and
have been social dancing Balboa in the clubs and at the Fed
for several months.
YOU NEED TO KNOW and are comfortable with:
the Balboa basic - both regular time and break-time,
the come-around, lollies, ad-libs, cross-overs,
and the send-out.
And that you can dance them up-tempo.
You believe that you are ready for the next level.
Class 2 will pick up where Class 1 left off.
WHERE CAN I LEARN THE BALBOA FROM THE BEGINNING ?
We now offer a 4-week Beginning Level Balboa
on Tuesday nights at 7:15 pm.
Come join us there for that class.
Also, on the 2nd week of each month
There is a fast room at the Thursday Night
Syndicate Danbcer at the Fed.
Practice in the GEORGIAN ROOM to Balboa-friendly tunes
from 9:30 pm to 11:30 pm.
INTERMEDIATE LEVEL COLLEGIATE SHAG WORKSHOP -
MARCH 6
1:00 - 3:00 pm
At Galaxy Dance Studios
Teachers - Tracy Owen and Ryan Martin
SCHEDULE AND PRICES -
Schedule:
REGISTER - 12:45 - 1 pm
CLASS 1 - 1:00 - 1:50 pm
BREAK - 1:50 - 2:05 pm
CLASS 2 - 2:05 - 3:00 pm
Prices:
$15 for one class
$25 for both classes
No advance registration - registration at 12:45 pm at the Studio.
LOCATION -
At GALAXY DANCE STUDIOS (1700 South Lamar Blvd, Suite 338)
On the west side of Lamar, between Barton Springs and West Mary
Map at http://www.galaxydances.com/
FOR DANCERS WHO ARE READY FOR AN INTERMEDIATE LEVEL CLASS
WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW TO TAKE THE WORKSHOP ?
If you are looking to take your collegiate shag beyond the basics,
please join us for our intermediate workshop.
We will introduce you to more complex moves as well as touch
on the technique that will help you to take your shag
to the next level.
Please keep in mind, in order to take this class,
you must be comfortable with the
collegiate shag basics (i.e., double-shag).
Class 2 will pick up where Class 1 left off.
WHERE CAN I LEARN THE COLLEGIATE SHAG FROM THE BEGINNING ?
We now offer a 4-week Beginning Level Collegiate Shag
on Tuesday nights at 8:30 pm.
Come join us there for that class.
Also, on the 2nd week of each month
There is a fast room at the Thursday Night
Syndicate Danbcer at the Fed.
Practice in the GEORGIAN ROOM to Balboa-friendly tunes
from 9:30 pm to 11:30 pm.
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.
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. —
MARCH SCHEDULE BEGINS -
MARCH 9
MARCH SCHEDULE
7:15 PM
LINDY 2 with Jeremy Emack and Laura Malloy
March 9 - Getting Your Lindy Game On
This class opens with a great review and refresher
of Lindy and Charleston fundamentals.
Plus, the R.J. and the Outside Turn variation on thye swing-out
March 16 - Swing Out Fun
Outside Turn Variation, Side-to-Side Charleston,
Catch in side-by-side Charleston, 6-count Send Out
March 23 - Lindy Hop Variations
Basic 8-count tuck turn, Crosshand - cross-catch tuck turn,
Skater's Position
March 30 - Fun and Flashy
Swing out to a hand switch, Review Skaters position,
Tuck-turn exit from skaters, Add "Showboat Step",
Mini-dip
LINDY 3 - with Matt Jones and Kim Hardi
Class Topic - Swing-out Fun and Games
Kim and Matt take the Swing-out and teach fun and exciting ways to add variety
and dynamic change to the most basic pattern of Lindy-Hop.
Week One will start with the 6-count Pop-Turn, which was left over from last
week, and the"Pivot-and-Shoot". Weeks Two, Three and Four show how
the Swing-out shifts from the Follow swinging out to the front, to the side,
and backing out; how that can be led and how it can be used.
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.
Beginning-Intermediate Blues
Teachers - Campbell Miller and Chris Mayer
Rhythm and Musicality
Blues is all about the music -- the music is what moves you.
Whether you're walking, turning, or showing off your
coolest moves, they all have a beat, a rhythm,
a place in the song.
This month, we'll teach you some new moves and style
and show you how to speed them up, slow them down,
and make them fit into your dance.
Experience in Blues dancing is encouraged, but not required.
Balboa for Beginners - with David Bradford and Charlotte Simpson
Come learn this fun, fast-paced swing dance which started in
California and is still popular among swing dancers today.
This month's series features the Throw-out pattern,
in addition to much more.
Balboa is popular among Austin swing dancers because
of all the great live music in town that fits the dance so well.
Your instructors will teach the basic movement, steps and
rhythm of Balboa over a four week period.
The series is progressive, so we encourage you not to
miss a week.
8:30 PM
INTRO TO SWING with Laura Malloy and Matt Jones
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 Jeremy Emack and Kim Hardi
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).
Need some one-on-one attention to your dancing to help learn Lindy Hop?
There will be mini-private lesson sessions available for $10 each per
person between 7:15 and 8:15 pm, before the Lindy 1 class starts.
Just email us the weekend before class to xet one up.
Collegiate Shag for Beginners - with Sally Matsumae and Johnny Serrano
Come learn this fun, fast-paced swing dance that was popular
among the youth of the 1930's and 40's.
Tracy and Ryan will teach a new set of beginner-friendly
patterns and variations. These were not taught in August,
September, or October.
Tracy and Ryan will also mix in some fun new work to
help all students improve their Shag Basics.
Bring your enthusiasm and some slick-bottom shoes!
If you want to see what the dance looks like,
check out some footage at the following links:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=4660498129996968549
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTnxCBfOcNU
Solo '20s Charleston
with Lynne Koehlinger
Laura and I are very happy to announce that Lynne
Koehlinger has joined us at Four On The Floor.
Lynne loves '20s Charleston and has a lot of experience
teaching and performing it in the Bay Area for the last
5 years. Here is a video of her performing
'20s Charleston at the 2008 Gatsby Picnic in the Bay Area:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQdjSyNApf8
This class will teach the style, energy and patterns
of '20s CHarleston.
Future classes with Lynne will feature Partnered '20s Charleston.
Class material designed for the '20s Beginner to Intermediate level dancer.
MINI-PRIVATE LESSONS Starting on March 9
with teacher to be announced
Free for everone currently enrolled in Lindy 2
9:40 PM
Dance in the ballroom With DeeJays:March 9 - with D.J. Heather Adams. No cover charge.
March 16 - with D.J. Nathan Malone. No cover charge.
March 23 - with D.J. TBA. No cover charge.
March 30 - with D.J. David Bradford. No cover charge.
APRIL CLASSES BEGIN APRIL 6
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).
Need some one-on-one attention to help learn Lindy Hop? -
there will be mini-private lesson sessions available
for $10 each per person between 7:15 and 8:15 pm
before the Lindy 1 class starts.
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, Basics Boot Camp,
Improvising with Styling Steps, Musicality, Fast Lindy,
Turn Technique, Smooth and Slow Lindy, Integrating Jazz Steps,
Breaking Out of the Count, The Lead/Follow Challenge,
and Advanced Tandem Charleston.
Lindy 4:
4-week series.
Class not offered in February, 2010. To resume later in 2009.
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.
