Midsummer Night Swing is in full swing in Manhattan! For just a few short weeks in June and July, New Yorkers who are light on their feet (or even have two left feet, like me) have the chance to partake in various dance sessions outside at Lincoln Center.
The sessions start off with a group dance lesson lead by experts, and each night has a different singular type of dance to focus on, from swing to salsa to ballroom to tango, and yes, even disco.
Our particular dance lesson was jazz swing. My partner and I managed a simple little box step, but many others were whirling and twirling all over the dance floor. It truly didn’t matter the skill level one possessed; everyone was having a great time regardless of their progress after the lesson. Likewise, you don’t need a beau to dance with either; there were plenty of friends-only and sister-sister pairs on the floor to compete with the sweethearts.
After the dance lesson, the crowd gets treated to a mini show put on by expert dancers, and then it’s fair game to try any of the moves you’ve learned with the live music provided. On our night, the Mint Julep Jazz Band was playing, and besides loving the name, we really enjoyed the music as well.
You can buy a single ticket or season passes and some in-between options as well. Sessions are available through July 9 this summer.
Would love to know…what’s your favorite summer activity? Share below!
By: Sarah Henry
Jessica Tiare Bowen lives in the juicy Big Apple with her adorable pink-nosed chihuahua, Gillman. He’s the inspiration for her first published children’s book, “Park Avenue Pound Puppy.” The book is the combined result of her two greatest passions: pooches and penning stories.
Her passions include art, urban hikes through Manhattan, drinking coffee with 3 creams and 6 sugars, making extremely detailed itineraries and traveling to far away places, singing along to Broadway shows, Netflix movie nights, discovering incredible treasures at Goodwill and thrift stores, and listening to stories from little people under 7 and big people over 70.
She started her career as New York City Teaching Fellow, teaching elementary school and theater arts at a special education school in the South Bronx for 6 years. She is now a Special Education School Improvement Specialist working in public schools throughout New York City. She is the Editor-In-Chief of the online New York City travel magazine, Used York City. The magazine focuses on finding the best of New York…as used by New Yorkers. She is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, and an ASPCA Ambassador.
