Swinging on into this week's small business Saturday (sorry, not sorry, but I had to use that pun) is Groove Juice Swing! Established in 2004, this company has been bringing the art of Lindy Hop to Rochester and making it easily accessible to those who want to learn. Located in the German House in downtown Rochester, NY, the space is perfect for their social dances, classes, and special events with its high ceilings, beautiful wood floors and a stage that often hosts a live band belting out brassy tunes that erupt to the rafters and fill the room with energy!
Looking to get in shape while having fun, learning a new skill, or participating in a new activity that will get you active in a community and group of like-minded people? They offer classes in Swing, Lindy Hop, Charleston, Balboa, Shim Sham, Collegiate Shag, Jazz, and they offer more in-depth workshops for those looking to expand on the classes they've taken and dig deeper into the world of swing dance. I have taken their Swing 1 and Swing 2 classes, enjoying the social aspect of it as well as the challenging footwork, and the fun, knowledgeable instructors. The instructors here often compete with and learn from dancers all over the world and are extraordinarily passionate about what they do. The Cardio Charleston class they offer is killer too. I've only gone a couple of times, but you are guaranteed to leave feeling sweaty and accomplished with a smile on your face. The moves for the Charleston are just inherently fun, at least for me, and a little quirky so the class doesn't feel serious or anything like that, though it is a seriously good workout.
Classes are typically 4 weeks long, with one class per week, and $50 if you pre-register, $60 at the door. The workshops currently on offer are 2 weeks long,1 class a week, $25 pre-registered and $30 at the door and a couple that are just one class and cost $12 pre-registered or $15 at the door. The crazy fun Cardio Charleston class I mentioned? Yeah, that's only $8 at the door for an hour long class, no pre-register as its a come whenever you want type of class with no choreography or specific moves to learn.
Now that you've visited Groove Juice Swing and learned a few awesome moves, you probably want to show 'em off right? Well, yeah! Swing dancing is a social dance, so you need to get in on one of their Wednesday night Lindy Jam sessions, and at only $5 its a great deal. Want an even better deal? Well, while enrolled in their Swing 1 class, you get into Lindy Jam for free! It's also free if it's your first time and also whenever you bring a first-timer, so you really can't go wrong. Curious how to bring a first-timer or show up as a first-timer when you don't know how to swing dance? They have you covered there too, at 9pm they hold a free beginner lesson so you can learn the basic moves before jumping right into the dancing. I do want to note, that these are not held at the Historic German House, though they used to be, instead they will be located at Weider's Hall (389 Gregory St, Rochester NY 14620).
While I have not been back to Groove Juice in a bit, as I moved out of state, I may pick it back up again now that I'm back in the area.At least that Cardio Charleston class and some of their workshops look doable with my dance level and wonky work schedule. Working nights really makes it so I miss out on a lot of fun stuff. I will also note that I met some really great people there, and am especially thankful to Groove Juice for putting me in the same dance circle as a gal named Lindsey, who quickly became one of my best friends! So check them out and try something new out, expand your horizons, maybe meet your next amazing new friend(s)!! You can find them at:
49 Browncroft Blvd
Rochester, NY 14609
585-310-8286
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