ZazouSwing

Swing Dance Performance and Instruction 

Specializing in Lindy Hop, Balboa, Charleston

Services

Zazouswing has all you need to positively impact your scene, fundraiser, or wedding. From a quick introductory dance lesson to all day workshops, Vintage Dj services, and performances, we are sure to keep them talking about your event for years.

Private Lessons

Private lessons are a great way to clean up what you’ve learned in class and accelerate your dancing ability. Plus, if you’re a timid beginner, this is a safe and comfortable alternative to group lessons. Click here to see what we teach and pricing.

Video Clips

Need to review the basics? Want to go over something from one of our workshops or beginner lessons? Looking for some new moves? Then be sure to check out these videos. Even better, they are all free and able to be downloaded!


Welcome to Zazou Swing!!

The Zazou Swing performance troop is dedicated to preserving and spreading America's first true heritage dances - the Charleston, Lindy Hop, and Balboa nationwide with special focus on their stomping grounds in New England, where many of the performers and teacher call home.

All these dances came of age during the 1920's-1950's and are danced to a range of music from the original hot jazz bands of New Orleans and Chicago to the big band greats such as Benny Goodman, Duke Ellington, Cab Calloway, Glenn Miller, and Count Basie.

Check out our monthly event - Swing-Cafe.com

Find Us on Face Book!

Or call 401-854-6408 for more information

Our Latest Routine!

To our students:

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One of our most cherished goals when it comes to dance is to be able to help students find what they need within themselves in order to continue on to become not only the most fully self expressed and therefore amazing dancers on the floor, but the source of inspiration for others to pursue the same path. In doing so we ensure that the dance will continue to touch, move, and inspire future generations as it has done so for us and so many countless others.

The links below are for those who have ever come to any of our workshops, class sessions, introduction lessons, and/or have taken private lessons with us. We provide these clips and notes for you so that you may review what we have taught on your own time as often as you need and also as a resource for those with whom we have never worked with (at least not yet). Feel free to e-mail us with questions on the material or to send us something you have found valuable as well (like your class notes with us or another instructor)

We hope you dance. May you be well.

 

What is Zazou?

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What is Swing??

Written by Dan Newsome

Jazz music is the music of America, and swing dance is the movement behind the music. Every day thousands of people in almost every city of the country, and all over the world are preserving it, innovating with it, and enjoying it. Those participating in the culture of swing are having a great time and making history.

Lindy Hop is the swing dance from the 30's, 40s and 50s, danced to Big Band Swing, Jump Blues, Jazz and early Rock 'n Roll. You may have seen it done in Swing Kids, or other movies... Jitterbug is a 1950s dance you may have seen in Swingers or in Big Bad Voodoo Daddy or Cherry Poppin Daddies Videos.

In Swing and Lindy Hop you will find swivels, aerials (air steps), kicks, rhythmic footwork, and energetic turns. Lindy Hop is street dance, done down low with bent knees and waist and open arms.

All styles of Swing can be danced very fast or very slow and everything in between. You can wear vintage fashions, or come as you are. And with Todd and Beth's patient and humorous instruction, anyone can do it!

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Many Thanks!!

A very special thank you to all of those who have helped us develop into the dancers and teachers we are today. (though they may want to dis-associate from us!) To Greg Sipe, Valerie Salstrom, and Joel Plys, for getting us started to Frankie Manning, Greg Avakian, and John McCalla for inspiring us in our Lindy infancy. To Marty and Jen Lau, Mark Kapner as well as the host of instructors over the years at Swing Out New Hampshire for their indespensible knowledge and friendship, York's Urban Swing Dance Club, Providence Swings, the Back Bay Shuffle practice group, and of course our parents, family and friends for their support and encouragment. A final special thanks to Andrew Kontola, Gay Santelmann (of Dancestore.com), and David Rehm, for their incredible dedication to us, to our students, and to the dance.

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© 2005 Zazouswing