A world apart from square dances and Chinese traditional dancing, Jinling Yaobai Swing Nanjing classes have arrived in the city. Think 1920s America, where jazz music was in its prime, and imagine bustling bars with live music and energetic swingers. Evidently, swing is not only a great way to keep in shape but also a social endeavour, bringing together all types of dancers from many walks of life.
Swing Nanjing has already hosted a number of swing dance socials in various bars and clubs round the city, focusing on Lindy Hop (sometimes called “Jitterbug”). They were led by two swingers who laid out the basics; the rock step and getting your body bouncing to the music. Participants got a great taster for swing, as well as cultural communication and socialising.
Classes on offer are divided into beginners and intermediates, both take place in Xuanwu District. Beginners commenced on the 13th of April with Dile and Anning teaching the fundamentals of Lindy Hop, yet it is also not too late to join the other classes. Many workshops and classes will be taught by Ramulas, who was the first swing dance teacher in Shanghai. He began learning swing in 2003, has choreographer for Disneyland Shanghai and has been an actor in “The Unbearable Lightness of Inspector Fan” and “Shanghai Noir”. All parts of Lindy Hop will be covered, from stretching, finding the rhythm and learning to “bounce” with that rhythm. The course even includes an “Understanding the structure of swing music” lesson and “how to get inspiration from music to create your choreography” for those in the intermediate level!
The finale is a vintage style swing dance party, where those who completed the course can show off their cool moves, or one can simply attend and watch in awe.
