Welcome - Essex Swing Dance

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Who areEssex Swing DanceAbout Us

Essex Swing Dance is a non-profit community organisation dedicated to fostering a vibrant and inclusive swing dance culture. We welcome individuals of all skill levels to learn, practice, and enjoy swing dance in a supportive and engaging environment. Whether you’re a complete beginner or an experienced dancer, we provide opportunities to develop your skills, meet like-minded enthusiasts, and have fun on the dance floor.

Our commitment to the community extends beyond dance. At Essex Swing Dance, we actively support the live music scene by organising monthly band nights. These events provide dancers with the very best swing music while ensuring that all profits go directly to the talented musicians who bring our dance floor to life.

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Our Committee

Our Mission& Community Impact

At Essex Swing Dance, we believe in the power of dance to bring people together. Our mission is to enrich the local cultural scene by promoting swing dance as both an art form and a social activity. Through our classes and events, we:

Strengthen community bonds by creating a welcoming space where people can connect, have fun, and share their love of dance.
Promote physical activity and personal development through engaging and dynamic dance experiences.
Foster an inclusive and supportive environment where individuals of all backgrounds and abilities feel valued and encouraged.
Support mental well-being by providing opportunities for social interaction, community engagement, and creative expression.
Ensure swing dance remains accessible to all by offering affordable classes and events, regardless of financial circumstances.

Join Us

If you’re looking for a fun way to stay active, meet new people, and immerse yourself in the joy of swing dance, we’d love to have you join us! Check out our class schedule and upcoming events to start your swing dance journey today.

What's On?

Essex Swing Dance - Jessica Smith teaching a class

Great, friendly and welcoming group for everyone. It’s the highlight of my week. Doesn’t matter if you’ve never danced before…. none of us could when we first started. We all help each other and there’s a lot of laughter along the way!

Elaine P

It may sound a bit cliche’d but the Essex Swing Dance team have brought the joy of dancing back into my life.. Given me a friendly, helpful group of people to chat and dance with. Jack and his supportive team pass on their dance skills to us every week, with energy and enthusiasm. The Socials, every month, have been fantastic, delivered to us in a clear professional and exciting way, each month a different band or DJ. Thank you team ESD.

Chris S

Oh, this is such a friendly and welcoming group! Classes are fun (sometimes too much fun!) and inspiring, while the band night socials really are something special. So lucky to have this in Essex.

Geoff B

Essex Swing dance have created an inclusive and fun dancing community. It’s so lovely to have a local class and band social night to go to in Chelmsford!

Lindsey T

I’m so grateful for everything Essex Swing Dance has done over the past year. The classes are brilliant – friendly and encouraging, but also challenging with a focus on technique, which I really love. The socials have also been impressive; I love the commitment to having so many band nights – with some fantastic bands – and it’s great to see the local swing community so lively!

Miriam H

It’s so excellent having a dedicated Essex swing class. I really appreciate how you have invested in the local scene to provide top notch weekly classes and brilliant social band nights every month! Thank you so much for the work you put into every aspect of ESD. Monday nights are my favourite of the week!

Ellie B

Essex Swing Dance is a great dancing community for the Essex area. Such a friendly encouraging bunch and always good fun lessons and socials. Really high teaching standard and a good teaching pace. Everyone is made to feel welcome. The venue has a lovely atmosphere and the musicians they get to play for us are awesome. The social nights are a real treat. I feel so lucky to have this on our doorstep.

Shirley H

Essex Swing Dance - Couple Dancing together

What isSwing Dance?

Swing dance is a lively and energetic style of dance that originated in the 1920s and 1930s as jazz music gained popularity in the United States. It evolved from African American dance traditions and became widely popular in dance halls and clubs. Swing dance is characterised by its bouncy rhythm, improvisational nature, and joyous expression, making it a favourite for dancers of all ages and backgrounds.

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thePopular Stylesof Swing Danceto name a few

Swing dance is a lively and energetic family of dances that emerged alongside jazz music in the early 20th century. Explore some of the most popular styles and find the one that moves you!

Lindy Hop

Often considered the original swing dance, Lindy Hop emerged in Harlem in the late 1920s and features a mix of jazz, tap, breakaway, and Charleston movements.

Charleston

A high-energy dance that originated in the 1920s, the Charleston is characterised by its fast footwork and playful, exaggerated kicks.

Collegiate Shag

Popular in the 1930s, this dance style is known for its fast-paced footwork and close partner connection, making it a favourite for upbeat swing music.