Community Resources

Community Newcomers

Just found West Coast Swing, or new to Seattle? Start here. These groups and guides are where you'll find out what's happening, who's who, and where to dance.

• Beginner's Guide — by Anja Beth Swoap

  Everything you need to know if you're just starting WCS.

• Seattle WCS Social Dances — where to dance, by day of the week

  The long-running weekly and monthly socials around the Seattle area, with times and prices.

• Seattle West Coast Swing Dancers — a public Facebook group

  Announcements about Seattle area events and social dances.

• Seattle Westie Chaos Messenger Community — ask around to be added
  Anything and everything goes here — community discussions, event announcements, discount codes, lost and found, weird questions etc. Courtesy note: please google your question and check pinned messages before asking. Anyone in the chat can add you — ask your more tenured dance-older-siblings.

• Seattle Westie Discord — join using this link
  We have a discord! It is not as active as the Messenger Community chats, but things do get posted there. If you are not on FB, this will be a place to get info.

Improving Your Dance

Comfortable with the basics and want to get better? These are the mentorships and programs that will push you — plus what you need to know before your first weekend event.

• Seattle WCS Class Series

  The standing multi-week series around Seattle, from absolute basics through training teams.

Light Reading/Listening

• A Survivor's Guide to WCS Dance Events — by Patrick Tran

  Comprehensive guide to your first WCS convention.

• Sam's WCS Inspiration — a resource by Sam Lingane

  “These are all things west coast swing, dancing, and music that I love and want to share for the Seattle WCS Community, especially the newcomer/novice group who are just starting out.”

• What Judges Want — a podcast by Glenn Ball

  The pros talk about what they look for when they judge competitions.

Training

• Hi/Lo Seattle — Organizer: Kate Garboden

  Higher level dancers (Advanced+) mentor lower level dancers (Novice) about any aspect of WCS, in small groups (about 2:1). Must sign up in advance to participate.

• Guided Social Dance — Organizer: Trevor Velasco

  A small competition-focused social dance, with advanced instructors watching, and cutting in to critique while the mentees dance. Sign up using the form link.

• Seattle Newcomer/Novice Group and Messenger Chat — Organizer: Sam Lingane

  Facebook Group and Messenger Chat to announce local mentorships, ad-hoc workshops, and other opportunities for Novice and Newcomer competitive dancers. You don't need to be a competitor to participate, but it is focused on capital-N Newcomers (referring to the competitive division), not "newcomers" in the sense of new community members.

• Choreolite — Organizer: Lan VoBa

  Learn and refine short "bite sized" pieces of choreography within a short period of time. It's low-stakes and is a great way to supplement or prepare for bigger routine opportunities (ProAm, Rising Star, Choreo Camp, etc).

Dance at the Next Level

For competitors, routine dancers, and anyone thinking about judging, DJing or teaching.

• Westie Prep — Organizer: Kate Garboden

  Four-week deep dive classes for Intermediate and Novice+ dancers, at Greenwood Studio in Seattle. The curriculum rotates monthly through three tracks — Communication & Connection, Technique & Mechanics, and Creativity & Artistry — so you can practice between classes for a well-rounded experience. Requires 1+ Novice point in your desired role, or instructor approval. Drop-in and full-track pricing available.

• Intermediate/Advanced Practice Group — Organizer: Lan VoBa

  Social and Competitive practice group, featuring spotlight critiques from your peers, which meets regularly every 1-2 months. You must be eligible to compete in Intermediate WSDC division or above. Contact organizer to join.

• WCS Scoresheets — Organizer: Kate Garboden

  Easy way to find your way to linked scoresheets for WSDC events, often posted as soon as they are available.

• Westie University — Organizer: Kate Garboden

  Training program for dancers who want to judge, scorekeep, DJ or teach, run in partnership with SSDC (member discount applies). Also at westieuniversity.com.

Visiting Seattle?

• Tour Seattle with Aaron — by Aaron Farance

  Visiting for a dance event? Here's what to do while you're here, outside of the dance floor.