It’s not an easy task finding new dance venues as it’s often a trial and error process. Due to continued and varied problems with the Elks Lodge, we’ve decided to discontinue dances there. It’s one thing for the venue to be difficult for the event coordinators to deal with. However, it’s completely unacceptable when venue staff’s attitudes and rude behavior is directed towards our guests. We sincerely apologize to anyone who encountered this.

We would like to thank everyone who came out! While the night was short lived, the great energy and good crowd made it really fun to put on. Thank you for your support! This is just a setback, so be sure to keep an eye out here for future announcements. In the meantime, we look forward to seeing you at the 2nd & 4th Saturday dances.

In May of 1998, Jani Lane’s Sunset Strip changed names and reopened as Rat Pack’s on the Avenue, the first club in Orlando dedicated exclusively to swing dancing. Around the same time, Atlantic Dance Hall on Disney’s Boardwalk started adding swing nights. Hep cats and kittens lined the walkways in front of the clubs nightly waiting for their chance to step back in time to the swing era.

This marked the birth of the Orlando swing scene. Over the next ten years, the scene has rode the high of the swing boom as nightclubs cranked out jumpin’ tunes and survived the low as fads changed and clubs changed formats or perished. We’ve weathered the post boom and seen a renaissance as the scene underwent massive grassroots growth and expanded more than anyone could have guessed. Join us on Saturday, May 10th as we celebrate a decade of swing in Orlando!

On Saturday, May 10th: Flyin’ Footwork has teamed up with DJ Natch to take you on a trip down memory lane as we track back 10 years of local history. There will be a decade’s worth of favorite swing tunes to spin for your dancing inspiration. But that’s not all… you’ll see the best (and maybe the worst) photos and videos of the last ten years projected on the big screen. Oh… and don’t miss the feature video presentation starting at 10:30.

As always, the dance starts out with a beginner swing dance lesson at 8pm. Dancing is from 9pm to midnight. All ages are welcome and admission is only $6. Click here for more information on the dance.

August 8-10 - Orlando, FL: The Sunstate Jam is a weekend of great dancing and so much more! The goal of the event is to inspire and advance your dancing through workshops and competitions. Continuing with the traditions of the awesome Central Florida events that came before it, the Sunstate Jam will feature a host of competition divisions for dancers of all levels… amateur to advanced. In addition, there will be two full days of workshops and classes with nationally known instructors. So what are you waiting for? Set your calendars for the weekend of August 8-10 and come to the Sunstate!

The website will be online soon. Keep an eye on www.SunstateJam.com for more info.

Saturday, April 12th: DJ Steve Tester returns to spin the vintage vinyl and take you back to the 1950’s. It will be a night of great danceable rock-n-roll and early R&B. Come celebrate the era when American Bandstand ruled the airwaves and the jitterbug made it’s last rounds in the eyes of pop culture. As always, the beginner dance lesson is at 8pm and the dance starts at 9pm and goes to midnight. Admission is only $6. All ages are welcome! Click here for more dance information.

A very special thank you to everyone who came out to the very first Thursday night dance! We were expecting a modest start, but were surprised to see attendance was much higher than we anticipated. Feedback was very positive and it seems everyone had a great time! The night was not without glitches (to be expected with a first night), however, we are working to get those corrected and resolved by the next dance. Photos are now online in the gallery!

Starting Sunday, April 27th: Looking to get a solid foundation in swing dancing? Ready to improve your lead/follow technique? Want to learn a ton of easy to execute moves? The six week Swing Dance Series Class is for you! The class will feature the 6-count basic and progress into a variety of moves, turns, and combos based off of it. The goal of the class is to make you a strong dancer that is knowledgeable and feels confident on the dance floor. To do this, the class will introduce solid lead/follow techniques and explain how the dance works as opposed to memorizing steps. From the basics, you will learn turning techniques, double turns, tuck turns, kicks, sugar pushes, and more. Each class will build upon information from the previous class to continuously further your knowledge week by week. Classes will be an hour long followed by a half hour of practice, questions, and individual help. No previous dance experience is needed and no partner is required; individuals and couples welcome!

Also starting on April 27th is our six week Intermediate Lindy Hop Series. Ready to take your Lindy Hop to the next level? Reserve your spot now!

On Saturday, March 22nd, special guest DJ Natch spins the tunes for your dancing enjoyment. Natch is a longtime swing DJ in Orlando and has been a staple in the scene for years. His song selections are solid and will keep you tearin’ up the hardwood all night long! We are very excited to have him back in the DJ booth at Whirl & Twirl.

As always, the evening starts out with a beginner swing dance lesson from 8 to 9pm and dancing follows from 9 to midnight. Admission is only $6.

Saturday, March 8th: The Nicole Sasser Quartet returns to Whirl & Twirl! Nicole leads a band of musicians who are passionate about their love for music and true to the great artists that have come before them. The group’s repertoire includes standards made famous by Ella Fitzgerald, Diana Krall, Michael Buble, Frank Sinatra and Nat King Cole, just to name a few. From fast tempos to slow, there is something for everyone! All ages are welcome and admission is $10. Click here for more information on the dance.

You heard right! On Saturday night, we announced that we will be doing weekly Thursday night dances at the Elks Lodge starting on March 13th! Centrally located near downtown Orlando, this venue has a great atmosphere to unwind in as the weekend approaches. There’s a wood floor to dance on and, as always, we’ll be spinnin’ the all the best tunes for your dancing inspiration. Drop by the new Thursday night dance page and spread the word!

Congratulations to Saturday’s Valentine Jack & Jill dance contest winners:

• First Place
• Second Place
• Third Place