Music and dancing fads have come and gone for generations, but swing dancing is one of those rare components that has truly stood the test of time. Dating back to the roaring and rebellious 1920s, the swing style of dance is accredited with influencing other popular dance forms like disco, rhythm and blues, and even country line dancing. Although certain styles have evolved through the decades, there’s a pristine element of swing that’s special enough to still be exercised and celebrated so many years later. Be it in ballrooms or former speakeasies across Chicagoland, there are still places to get your ‘swing’ on if so inclined, and here are some of the best.
(Photo Credit: fizzchicago.com)
Fizz Bar & Grill
3220 N Lincoln
Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 348-6088
www.fizzchicago.com
Although sometimes a sports bar, sometimes a music venue, always a great place for food and drink, Fizz Bar & Grill is also a great place to do some swing dancing each Monday night. Located in the Lakeview area between Ashland Avenue and Melrose Street, Fizz hosts ‘Swing Dancing at Fizz!’ each week. Beginner lessons start at 8 p.m. on Mondays, followed by dancing to some of the best swing and jazz bands and DJs in all of Chicago. After heating things up with dancing, grab a cocktail and cool of in Fizz’s lovely beer garden while the Chicago temperatures are still pleasant.
Alhambra Palace
1240 W Randolph St
Chicago, IL
(312) 666-9555
www.alhambrapalacerestaurant.com
To dance the night away in a stunning venue, come as swing dancing takes over the Alhambra Palace once a month. Standing majestically on the near west side, Alhambra Palace offers an experience like no other with free lessons to start the night out right, and then the high energy dancing begins amid this beautiful ballroom. The swing dance evenings are usually on the last Wednesday of each month, but it is scheduled for verify specific dates with the Alhambra Palace.
(Photo Credit: greenmilljazz.com)
The Green Mill
4802 N Broadway St.
Chicago, IL 60640
(773) 878-5552
greenmilljazz.com
A one-time hangout for Chicago mob boss Al Capone, The Green Mill in Uptown features live music every single night of the week. Opened in 1909 and patterned after the Moulin Rouge in Paris, France, The Green Mill continues that tradition of great live music even today. Step back into history when you step out to do some swing dancing each Thursday night to the sounds of a big band jazz. Check the website for a calendar of events and all the bands scheduled to play in this classic and intimate setting.
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Big City Swing
1012 W. Randolph St.
Chicago, IL 60607
(312) 243-0700
bigcityswing.com
There are fewer places in the city of Chicago to learn how to swing dance, or to improve your technique, than at Big City Swing. On the First Friday of each month, Big City Swing hosts a dance that begins with a swing lesson and is then followed by a DJ and dancing. Feel free to dance the night away, or just watch this group of dancers tear it up on the dance floor. Snacks and water are available, and dancers 21 and over can BYOB if they so choose. On other days, the studio also provides group and private classes, workshops and performances.
Chicago Swing Dance Society
1212 E. 59th St.
Chicago, IL. 60637
swing.uchicago.edu
Located in Hyde Park on the University of Chicago campus is the Chicago Swing Dance Society. Created to promote swing dancing, and with an emphasis on lindy hob, the group offers weekly lessons, workshops and a weekly dance event as well, called Java Jive. Offered each Saturday night, Java Jives are are free to the public. They begin with a swing lesson for beginners at 8 p.m., and then DJ dancing goes on from 9 – 11:30 p.m.
Soon after earning her BA in journalism, Melanie Falina began writing about one of the loves of her life – music. Since then, she’s covered some of the biggest names in music, in addition to writing on an array of other topics as well. She has written for Black Belt magazine, KISS: The Official Authorized Quarterly Magazine, Examiner, AXS.com, Yahoo Voices, and more, and was editor for Don Lemmon’s KNOW HOW Book Three, Refuse To Fail. Melanie is also a poet with five published collections of poetry available via Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and various establishments.
