SwingCal: Our Swing Dancing DeCal

For over ten years, SwingCal has taught Berkeley students how to swing dance in a fun and relaxed environment. The class teaches the history of swing dance and music, as well as the modern swing culture that now exists all over the world, bringing a greater context and significance to the moves that we teach. We meet once a week, we have three short take home assignments per semester, and no partner is required! At SwingCal we focus on making dancing a stress free experience since swing is all about being comfortable in your personality and showing it through your dancing. We’d love to have you join our family!

The Basics

Classes will be held every Thursday from 7 to 9:30pm in room 242 of Hearst Gym.

For over ten years, SwingCal has taught Berkeley students how to swing dance in a fun and relaxed environment. The class teaches the history of swing dance and music, as well as the modern swing culture that now exists all over the world, bringing a greater context and significance to the moves that we teach. We meet once a week, we have three short take home assignments per semester, and no partner is required! At SwingCal we focus on making dancing a stress free experience since swing is all about being comfortable in your personality and showing it through your dancing. We’d love to have you join our family!

This is a 1 unit Pass/No Pass class. You are allowed 2 unexcused absences.

Class syllabus

1. How to swing dance
2. History and culture of swing dancing
3. Gender and Swing
4. How to DJ
5. Micro and macromusicality
6. Swing and its relatives

Assignments

SwingCal is a 1 Unit Decal for UC Berkeley students. Taken Pass/No Pass, you will learn the fundamentals of swing

Friday 6-8pm Esh?

What you will learn

1. How to swing dance
2. History and culture of swing dancing

Assignments and grading

Interview Assignment: interview a SwingCore or Bay Area Swing Dancer about their experience, philosophy and story related to swing dancing

History Assignment: short essay on an important historical event or figure in swing dancing history

Final Project: short reflection about your experience shadowing DJ, teacher, lecturer, or host positions at Lindy on Sproul, Lindy at Night, or at SwingCal

COVID safety

1. Masks REQUIRED indoors, and while partner dancing
2. Sanitize/wash hands before and after class
3. If you have symptoms, please don’t come to class!

How to sign up

Take the Applicant Questionnaire which will be posted on the DeCal website and here after our info session on Feb 3.

Application is due Mon. Feb. 7th at 7PM. Keep the receipt from the application. Check your email Wed/Thurs night for updates!