Fizz Swing Dance
Chicago's Monday night swing dancing hub: lessons, social dancing, live bands
A swing dance studio offering instruction in East Coast Swing, West Coast Swing, Lindy Hop, and related swing styles.
Photo: Meera Aminova via Google
Before your first class
Beginner lesson every Monday at 8 pm with no partner or prior experience required; partners are rotated to help you dance with different people.
Wear anything you feel comfortable dancing in—jeans and t-shirt or vintage wear are equally welcomed.
Leather-soled shoes or flat shoes with a smooth sole (avoid sandals, high heels, or rubber soles); bring clean shoes.
Small metered parking lot available; metered and free street parking readily available.
About this studio
Fizz Swing Dance is Chicago's longest-running weekly swing dance event, with roots stretching back to 1999. What began as a Monday night gathering at Fizz Bar & Grill—where it ran until the venue's closure in 2016—has evolved into a thriving community institution now hosted at Dance Center Chicago. The event carries forward two decades of memories and the legacy of its founding dancers: Evin and Noah Galang, Harry Saito, and Joe Fragola.
Every Monday night, Fizz welcomes dancers of all levels to a 8 pm beginner lesson (no partner required) followed by social dancing until 11:30 pm. The beginner lesson covers basic swing dance and fundamental moves to get you on the floor. Beyond the weekly drop-in, Fizz runs three-week intermediate series that explore solo dancing through the Shim Sham, the Tranky Doo, and the Big Apple. The studio also offers "Back to Basics" (BtB) classes focusing on techniques and concepts like swing-outs, footwork, rhythm variations, and switch-dancing.
The teaching team is substantial and locally rooted. Desiree Roffers, the Instructor and Lessons Manager, has competed and taught internationally in Lindy Hop, Blues, Balboa, and Collegiate Shag, and brings trauma-informed, inclusive teaching practices grounded in three graduate degrees in education. The instructor roster includes Naomi Carmelishabtay, Neil Figuracion, Claire Parlette, Heather-Grace Bach, Kitty Mortland, David Obrien, Jonathan Dyer, Max Barry, Jennifer Novak-Leonard, Brennan Bowman, Chris Cooley, Herchel Mangune, Sam Zorich, Dileep Kini, Lindsay Longstreth, and Jay Shaeffer, each listed with their primary roles (Lead, Follow, or both).
Fizz is also a performance venue. The team presents performances by the Chicago Chorus Girl Project, the ChiBal performance team, and the Traffic Jam performance teams. Live band nights carry a higher admission ($15 general, $10 student). The venue hosts jam circles and birthday celebrations, and maintains an active calendar of special events.
The organisation is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit. Entry is 18+ (21+ for alcohol); ID is required. The space is mask-optional, and the team encourages sick members to stay home and rejoin when healthy. You can bring your own water bottle and food or drink (kept off the dance floor); the venue provides a water filter on site.
What to expect
Your first visit
A beginner lesson from 8–9 pm covering basic swing moves, partner rotation, and no-experience-necessary fundamentals, followed by open social dancing until 11:30 pm. Wear whatever you feel comfortable dancing in—jeans and t-shirt or vintage wear are all welcome. Bring leather-soled shoes or flat shoes with smooth soles (avoid rubber-soled or high heels). No partner required; you'll rotate and dance with different people throughout the night.
Instructors
Who teaches here
The teaching team includes Desiree Roffers (Instructor and Lessons Manager, with experience in Lindy Hop, Blues, Balboa, and Collegiate Shag), Naomi Carmelishabtay, Neil Figuracion, Claire Parlette, Heather-Grace Bach, Kitty Mortland, David Obrien, Jonathan Dyer, Max Barry, Jennifer Novak-Leonard, Brennan Bowman, Chris Cooley, Herchel Mangune, Sam Zorich, Dileep Kini, Lindsay Longstreth, and Jay Shaeffer.
New to dancing?
What beginners can expect
Beginner lesson every Monday at 8 pm with no partner or prior experience required; partners are rotated to help you dance with different people.
What to wear and bring
Before your first class
Dress code
Wear anything you feel comfortable dancing in—jeans and t-shirt or vintage wear are equally welcomed.
What to bring
Leather-soled shoes or flat shoes with a smooth sole (avoid sandals, high heels, or rubber soles); bring clean shoes. Wear comfortable dancing clothes (jeans and t-shirt, or dress clothes—both welcome). Those in dresses or skirts should wear shorts or dance spanks underneath. Extra shirts are encouraged as swing dancing is athletic.
Studio history
Fizz Swing Dance traces its roots to 1999, when two pairs of dancers—Evin and Noah Galang, and Harry Saito and Joe Fragola—combined their separate weekly events into a Monday night gathering at Fizz Bar & Grill. The venue became home to Chicago's swing dance community until its closure in 2016. The event has since moved twice and now operates at Dance Center Chicago, carrying forward the spirit and name of its original home.
Styles offered
9 dance styles taught here
Gallery
The people, the parties and the dancing here
Amenities
Pricing
Approximate lesson costs
Class schedule
Weekly classes and workshops
Fizz Swing Dancehasn't set up a public class schedule yet.
If you own Fizz Swing Dance, claiming the studio lets you add a public schedule in about 2 minutes. A free Google Calendar is the easiest path — visitors see your class times inline + can add events to their own calendar.
Frequently asked about Fizz Swing Dance
Quick answers to the most common questions
What dance styles does Fizz Swing Dance teach?
Fizz Swing Dance teaches Swing, East Coast Swing, West Coast Swing, Lindy Hop, Balboa, Charleston and 3 more. The full list of styles is shown above on this page along with each genre's classes and lesson options.
Where is Fizz Swing Dance located?
Fizz Swing Dance is located in Chicago, IL. See the map above for the exact address and one-tap directions.
Does Fizz Swing Dance offer private lessons?
Contact Fizz Swing Dance directly to ask about private lessons and current class options — their website has the latest details.
Does Fizz Swing Dance teach kids and adults?
Fizz Swing Dance welcomes students of varied ages and experience levels. Contact the studio to learn which classes fit your age group and level.
How do I sign up for classes at Fizz Swing Dance?
The fastest path is to visit Fizz Swing Dance via their website or check the class schedule above. Many studios offer a free or discounted intro lesson — contact them directly to ask.
Is there parking at Fizz Swing Dance?
Small metered parking lot available; metered and free street parking readily available. Located 2 blocks from the Irving Park Brown Line stop.