Harlem Swing
Lindy Hop
Lindy Hop is the original swing dance, born in Harlem in the late 1920s, and London has one of the most active and enthusiastic Lindy Hop communities in Europe.
Lindy Hop is the original swing dance, born in Harlem in the late 1920s, and London has one of the most active and enthusiastic Lindy Hop communities in Europe.
Lindy Hop was created by Black dancers in Harlem, New York, in the late 1920s and flourished throughout the Swing Era of the 1930s and 40s. It is a partner dance characterised by an eight-count basic step, syncopated footwork, the swing-out (its signature move), aerial lifts and playful improvisation.
The dance is deeply musical, requiring a strong connection to the rhythm, phrasing and energy of the jazz and swing music it was created with. Lindy Hop embraces personal style and interpretation within a shared vocabulary.
The global Lindy Hop revival began in the 1980s and has grown continuously, with an international network of teachers, events and competitions connecting swing dancers worldwide.
London has a thriving Lindy Hop scene with regular weekly dances, structured courses and a welcoming social community. The city's swing dance organisations run events ranging from intimate neighbourhood dances to large international exchanges.
The culture of Lindy Hop — including its music, fashion and social values — is embraced enthusiastically by the London community.
Lindy Hop classes in London are widely available and typically very beginner-friendly. Most schools rotate beginner programmes regularly, making it easy to start at any point in the year.
Progression through Lindy Hop is rewarding and social, with dancers typically joining the social dance events alongside their classes from an early stage.
The following dance studios and academies in London offer Lindy Hop classes.
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