Want to Learn West Coast Swing in Lafayette, Louisiana?
Easily schedule a private dance lesson, or join our fun West Coast Swing workshops and social dances—perfect for beginners and making friends!
- No partner needed, and no experience required.
- Singles and couples are welcome!
- Open to all ages.
Fun & Positive
dance instruction
5 Star Reviews
on Facebook & Google
WCS Social Dances
hosted every 3-4 months
Why Take A Dance Class?
Fall in love with life
- How you spend leisure time is a HUGE indicator of happiness. If all your leisure time is spent in front of a screen, you’re not experiencing the kind of joy that’s available to you!
Get out of your house
- Life can often feel like an endless rotation between Work, Netflix, and Sleep. Interrupt that cycle by trying something different! Come to West Coast Swing class!
Make new friends
- Making new friends as an adult is hard. The Lafayette West Coast Swing community is SO welcoming. Many people have met lifelong friends in dance class or on the dance floor!
FAQ's
West Coast Swing (WCS) is a smooth, versatile partner dance style that evolved from Lindy Hop.
It’s known for its elastic look, the connection between partners, and its ability to adapt to a wide range of music genres, including:
- Blues
- R&B
- Pop
- Country
- Contemporary (today’s modern music)
- Cajun / Zydeco
- Latin
- and more.
Unlike many other dances, WCS is danced in a slot, allowing for both partners to improvise and express themselves within the music.
No, you don’t need a partner to start learning West Coast Swing!
In our classes and social dances, we rotate partners regularly.
This helps everyone get to know each other and improves your ability to lead or follow with different partners.
Of course, you’re welcome to bring a partner if you’d like, but it’s not a requirement.
If you’ve never danced before, don’t worry!
- Our classes are designed for beginners
- Many students start with zero dance experience
- West Coast Swing (WCS) is a forgiving dance style that allows for personal expression and growth
- Our step-by-step approach will help build your confidence on the dance floor.
Remember:
- Every dancer was once a beginner
- Our supportive community is here to guide you through your dance journey
Comfort is key for WCS!
Wear clothes that allow you to move freely and shoes with a smooth sole to make turning easier.
Many dancers prefer shoes specifically designed for dancing, but starting out, any comfortable, non-marking shoes that allow you to slide and turn on the floor will work.
If you want specific recommendations, these are some common items…
For clothes:
- T-shirts, tank tops, blouses
- Jeans, casual pants, or leggings
For shoes:
- Vans, Converse, Keds
- Boat shoes / Loafers
- Toms
- Jazz shoes
- Fuegos
- Taygras
- Tennis shoes (with a worn down sole)
- Shoes with a suede bottom work especially well for West Coast Swing
WCS is not just a dance; it’s a community.
Beyond the physical benefits of improved coordination, flexibility, and fitness, dancing WCS offers a unique social experience.
It’s a great way to meet new people, reduce stress, and express yourself creatively.
Plus, it’s a skill that you can take with you to dance floors around the world.
Yes!
Louisiana has a growing WCS community with various events, including weekly classes, social dances, competitions, and occasional workshops with visiting instructors.
The main cities with WCS communities are: Baton Rouge, New Orleans, and Lafayette.
Our website and social media channels are some of the best places to stay updated on upcoming events and get involved with the Louisiana WCS scene.
Absolutely!
In West Coast Swing, we usually rotate partners in class.
However, couples who wish to remain together and not rotate, may absolutely do so.
If you’re feeling shy, you’re not alone!
Many of our dancers started out feeling the same way.
Our classes and social dances are designed to be welcoming and supportive, making it easier to overcome shyness.
Remember, dancing is a great icebreaker, and there’s no pressure to be perfect.
With every step and beat, you’ll find your confidence growing.
Our friendly community and instructors are here to support you, making it easier to take that first step onto the dance floor.
We host regular dance classes and social dances at PARC Village (2323 Moss St, Lafayette, LA 70501).
- These classes are perfect for new dancers or beginners to learn the basics of West Coast Swing.
- Please make sure to check our calendar for the most updated list of classes, social dances, and events.
On most Thursdays, we also meet up at Kristi’s house (Kristi Kelly is one of the main organizers for WCS in Lafayette).
- There, we socialize, practice, and learn more advanced dance moves and concepts through informal lessons.
For Kristi’s address please message her through our meetup group.
We used to have group classes on Saturdays and Sundays but those are currently on pause as of October 27, 2024.
Instead, we now have a big social dance (WCS dance party) every 3-4 months. The next social dance will be in January 2025, and we’ll update this website and post about it on FB / Instagram as soon as we’re able to confirm a date for it.
For people who still want to dance WCS every week, we have a small informal social dance / get together where we meet up and practice at a friend’s house (Kristi Kelly) almost every Thursday from about 7-9/10 PM. It’s free and we practice, eat snacks, and drink wine.
For more information about Thursday’s at Kristi’s, to schedule a private dance lesson in WCS, or any other questions – please reach out to Chung Thang (337) 445-0448 🙂
Thank you!
Videos From Our Dance Classes and Events!
Short clip from one of our WCS classes.
Social dancing after the beginner’s lesson.
Where Are We Located?
Lafayette West Coast Swing is Hosted at "PARC Village"
- Address: 2323 Moss St, Lafayette, LA 70501
- Email: LafayetteWestCoastSwing@gmail.com
- Call or Text: (337) 445-0448
- Organizer / Dance Instructor: Chung Thang
Connect with us on Social Media
Facebook Page:
- This is the best place to get the latest info and updates from us!
Facebook Group:
- This is a great place to get your questions answered outside of class!
Instagram Page:
- This is a great way to keep updated if you use Instagram more than FB!