About Jumptown Swing

Jumptown ACT Swing Dance Society Inc (Jumptown Swing) is a non-profit organisation run by a group of dancers who are dedicated to building the swing dancing community in Canberra.

We currently teach the following styles from the big family of jazz dances:

• Lindy Hop (including Charleston)
• Balboa
• Blues
• West Coast Swing

Jumptown Swing offers weekly classes around Canberra, as well as regular evenings of social dancing and major swing events. You don’t need a partner as we rotate during class.

Swing dancing originated in the 1930s and 40s in the United States during the era known for its big bands and their leaders like Benny Goodman, Count Basie, Duke Ellington and Glen Miller as well as jazz legends like Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday. Swing dancing was invented by the dancers in the ballrooms of Harlem to match the popular big band swing music of the day. Swing dancing was extremely popular worldwide in the 1940s and all but died away with the onset of rock and roll music in the 1950s. Since the 1990s swing dancing has had an energetic revival in Australia and across the world.

Like the music, the dance ranges from fast and fun with fancy footwork to slow numbers – smooth, stylish and sexy.

Jumptown Swing currently provides instruction to approximately 80 people per week. Students range from complete beginner dancers through to experienced dancers. Jumptown Swing regularly organises social dance evenings and major events throughout the year and are often seen throughout the Canberra community performing at venues such as the Old Bus Depot Markets at Kingston and in Garema Place to big band music on summer evenings.

A dedicated group of volunteers manage the operations of Jumptown Swing. These people are all committed and passionate about growing the swing dance scene in Canberra. In addition to the committee, Jumptown Swing also has a band of enthusiastic volunteers who are always keen to support the growth of swing dancing in Canberra.