The Swing Club PDX
Lindy Hop, Balboa and swing dancing in Portland. Weekly classes, Saturday liv…
A swing dance studio offering instruction in East Coast Swing, West Coast Swing, Lindy Hop, and related swing styles.
Photo: The Swing Club PDX via Google
Before your first class
The Absolute Beginner series is explicitly designed for students with no prior dance experience, and the studio recommends completing it at least twice before moving on.
Wear something comfortable you can move in.
Wear comfortable clothing you can move in.
Balboa workshop: $35 (includes one hour of social dancing).
About this studio
The Swing Club PDX teaches swing dancing styles in Portland, with a focus on Lindy Hop. They run weekly Tuesday lessons and social dances, plus Saturday events featuring live jazz music on the first Saturday of each month. The studio is built around beginners — they offer an Absolute Beginner Lindy Hop series that restarts on the first Tuesday of each month, designed for students with no prior dance experience who want to learn footwork, rhythm, vocabulary, speedwork and solo jazz. A Beyond Beginner Series is also available for those ready to progress.
The space is at Waverly Heights UCC, 3300 SE Woodward St. It has high vaulted ceilings, wooden floors, pews for seating, a water dispenser, bathrooms and an internal sound system. Mints and gum are complimentary.
On Tuesdays, the evening runs from 6:45pm with open practice (self-guided and encouraged), followed by instruction from 7pm to 8pm, and then social dancing from 8pm to 10pm. No partner is required. Saturdays with live music follow a similar pattern: a beginner lesson from 7pm to 7:55pm, then social dancing from 8pm to 10:30pm. The studio emphasizes that all levels of experience are welcome and volunteers are actively recruited.
The Swing Club PDX also offers private and group instruction, and can provide DJing and lesson instruction for weddings, parties and events. They run occasional workshops — recent offerings include a two-hour Balboa Masterclass ($35, including one hour of social dancing) taught by visiting instructors Amy Lu and Alexander Lieu from Geneva.
Co-founded by Aaron Thorpe and Lauren Calkins, both instructors. Aaron has over 18 years of teaching experience and started his dance career in 2010 with classic jazz and Lindy Hop. Lauren fell in love with Lindy Hop in 2017 while learning on the island of Oahu, and has since branched into Balboa, blues, shag and solo jazz. She brings several years of prior experience in lyrical, ballet, modern and hip hop.
What to expect
Your first visit
Arrive by 6:45pm on Tuesday or 7pm on Saturday to join open practice before the lesson. You'll learn in a bright room with wooden floors and high ceilings. The lesson runs for an hour, followed by two to two-and-a-half hours of social dancing with music. No partner needed, and people of all levels dance together.
Instructors
Who teaches here
Aaron Thorpe (co-founder) has over 18 years of teaching experience and started dancing in 2010 with classic jazz and Lindy Hop. Lauren Calkins (co-founder) fell in love with Lindy Hop in 2017 on Oahu and has branched into Balboa, blues, shag and solo jazz, drawing on prior experience in lyrical, ballet, modern and hip hop.
New to dancing?
What beginners can expect
The Absolute Beginner series is explicitly designed for students with no prior dance experience, and the studio recommends completing it at least twice before moving on.
What to wear and bring
Before your first class
Dress code
Wear something comfortable you can move in.
What to bring
Wear comfortable clothing you can move in. Sneakers are great for shoes, but soles must be non-skid-marking.
Styles offered
8 dance styles taught here
Gallery
The people, the parties and the dancing here
Amenities
Pricing
Approximate lesson costs
Class schedule
Weekly classes and workshops
The Swing Club PDXhasn't set up a public class schedule yet.
If you own The Swing Club PDX, 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 The Swing Club PDX
Quick answers to the most common questions
What dance styles does The Swing Club PDX teach?
The Swing Club PDX teaches Swing, East Coast Swing, West Coast Swing, Lindy Hop, Balboa, Juke Joint Blues and 2 more. The full list of styles is shown above on this page along with each genre's classes and lesson options.
Where is The Swing Club PDX located?
The Swing Club PDX is located in Portland, OR. See the map above for the exact address and one-tap directions.
Does The Swing Club PDX offer private lessons?
Contact The Swing Club PDX directly to ask about private lessons and current class options — their website has the latest details.
Does The Swing Club PDX teach kids and adults?
The Swing Club PDX 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 The Swing Club PDX?
The fastest path is to visit The Swing Club PDX via their website or check the class schedule above. Many studios offer a free or discounted intro lesson — contact them directly to ask.