About Us
About... The School
Swing That Thing provides a fun and welcoming environment for all to feel comfortable, safe and included within the community.
Our aim is to come together regularly and learn this fun, dynamic and exciting dance we all love and pay our respects to those who have paved the way to make Swing in Australia what it is today- and in doing so create a community like non-other.
We offer weekly partnered classes, a performance/ training troupe, private classes, private group classes and inspiring events open for all our members as well as the public.
For information on hiring dancers/ booking private group classes; please see here.
Our Monday and Tuesday night beginner classes are drop-in friendly, with new students starting each and every week. See more details on how these classes are formatted below.
Swing That Thing caters to all people over the age of 18 (16+ if accompanied by a parent or legal guardian)
Please feel free to contact us via email or through our socials if you have any questions or require further information.
About... The Dance
Swing dance is a broad term to describe a variety of partner dances evolving from the 1920s to the present day.
The history begins with the original Swing Era in 20's and 30's New York, when Big Bands took over pop culture.
The most well-known swing dance style today is the Lindy Hop. Since its revival in the 1980s it has taken off around the world and become a very popular dance, fun and creative and allows space for improvisation between partners.
The swing dancing craze continues to expand and today there is a very active (and very friendly!) global swing dancing community, from South Korea to Chile and from the USA to Australia with dancers travelling interstate and overseas to meet fellow dancers, have fun and dance!
At Swing That Thing, we acknowledge that the style of dances we learn, teach and share originated from African American and Black culture, this also applies for the jazz music we have come to so appreciate and love.
We are extremely grateful to be able to enjoy and experience this art form that was shared with us by those who it originated from, and we acknowledge we never had to face or experience the hardships in which they had to endure.
Learning about the roots of this dance only helps to strengthen and love this wonderful dance!
For further information please see: https://www.frankiemanningfoundation.org/
Monday - Estonian Hall, North Adelaide
200 Jeffcott Street, North Adelaide
Rock n Roll - 6:00pm (beginners Rock n Roll)
All levels RNR
Level 1 (beginners swing) is a drop-in friendly class with
new students starting each and every week.
With a rotation system in place, you will have the
opportunity to dance with all your peers and therefore
no partner is required to join this class.
Level 1 - 7:15pm
Closed Troupe Training - 8:30pm (every week except
on the last Monday of the month)
Tuesday - Lithuanian House, Norwood
6 Eastry Street, Norwood
Level 1 (beginner swing) is a drop-in friendly class with
new students starting each and every week.
With a rotation system in place, you will have the
opportunity to dance with all your peers and therefore
no partner is required to join this class.
Level 1 - 8:00pm
Level 2 (intermediate swing) - Please speak with the teachers prior to joining this class as there are pre-requisites for this class.
Level 2 - 6:45pm
To note:
Monday and Tuesday beginner classes alternate swing styles between the two days - please look at our facebook and instagram for updates on what style is currently offered.
Monthly Social
On the last Monday of the month, Swing That Thing hosts a social dancing night after regular classes. The social is held at The Estonian Hall in North Adelaide
The social begins at 8:30pm and runs till 10:45pm with the lights dimmed and the bar open!
The social is FREE with your evenings class or just $10 at the door if attending only the social.
18+ (or 16+ if accompanied by a parent or legal guardian)
Workshops
Swing That Thing host different workshops throughout the year featuring a range of different swing styles and different swing teachers.
To keep informed with all the latest workshops and events head on over to our social media/s.
Pricing
Come and Try Class (first class with us, valid at any beginner class) - $10.00
Standard Beginners/Intermediates Class - $20.00
5 Class Pass (valid for 3 months from date of purchase) - $85.00
15 Class Pass (valid for 12 months from date of purchase) - $235.00
Cash and Card facilities available
Private Classes
Private Classes also available - group, partner or solo.
See here for details.
Teachers
Melissa
Mel is the Owner and Head Teacher of Swing That Thing.
Mel started swing dancing (primarily The Lindy Hop) in 2012, within less than a year she won the Up and Comers Category at the Australian Jitterbug Competition in Melbourne and needless to say she hasn't stopped dancing ever since.
Mel continued to travel regularly throughout Australia and then ventured to Europe in 2015 to continue her Lindy Hop education... and her love of the dance and community only grew stronger.
Mel's passion and love for the dance has continued to evolve over the years, to the point where her visions and goals for Swing Dancing in Adelaide were so vivid, she needed to make them a reality!
Thus Swing That Thing was born.
Mel has only continued to grow Swing That Thing over the years both in general classes and with her annual Adelaide Lindy Exchange, which has now put Adelaide back on the international map. The ALX brings dancers from local, interstate and international swing scenes to Adelaide for a huge weekend of dancing, community growth and fun!
Travis
Travis is originally from Melbourne where he started Rock 'n' Roll classes at the ripe old age of 13 years old, where he found his true passion in life- dance.
Travis relocated to Sydney in 2016 to join The Sydney Swing Katz.
This is where he was introduced to Lindy Hop and began training and competing both interstate and internationally.
Travis has placed many times over the years in competitions around Australia, including first place in the Rock 'n' Roll championships in Victoria (VRRDA) and winning the state title for the Aerial Championships 3 times.
In 2022 Travis and his former dance partner competed in LA at Camp Hollywood, where they placed first in the Amateur Lindy Finals and third in the Open Showcase Division.
In April of 2023 Travis relocated to Adelaide, where he now teaches weekly class on Monday in North Adelaide and Tuesday nights in Norwood with Mel.
Contact Us
Melissa Burke
6 Eastry Street, Norwood
Adelaide
200 Jeffcott Street, North Adelaide
Email: swingthatthing@outlook.com.au
Phone: 0417824022