West Coast Swing in Las Vegas

Rhythmic Souls Dance Studio

Where to learn West Coast Swing in Las Vegas

Rhythmic Souls Dance Studio. Donnie Carl and Regina Shpigel are champion dancers who hold Master Certification in West Coast Swing from the Global Professional Dance Instructor Association and judge at events around the world, and they've built the deepest weekly WCS program in Las Vegas around it: classes and parties two nights a week and private lessons in between, all under one roof, all with rotating partners. Bringing your own partner works too.

Wednesday classes

Beginner 6:30 PM · Advanced 6:30 PM · Intermediate 7:15 PM

$17 drop-in or $55 for a 4-week series

Private lessons

Between class nights, any level

One-hour sessions with Donnie or Regina · book at 702-723-SPIN or rhythmicsouls.com

Where & how

Alchemy Breaking Academy, 5154 W. Patrick Ln, Suite 110a, Las Vegas, NV 89118 · 702-723-SPIN

rhythmicsouls.com · full calendar

Where to dance West Coast Swing in Las Vegas

Two social dances at Rhythmic Souls every week, both at Alchemy Breaking Academy, 5154 W. Patrick Ln, Suite 110a, about 15 minutes from the Strip. Rotating partners, so come alone.

Wednesday

Dance party after classes Social

8:00 PM, right after the evening classes · included with class tuition

Friday

Friday Night Dance Party Social

Concept workshop 6:30 PM, dancing from 7:30 PM, intro class 7:45 PM · $15, concept workshop $10 extra

What is West Coast Swing?

The partner dance you can do to the music you already listen to.

West Coast Swing is a smooth, improvised partner dance that grew out of Lindy Hop and evolved into its own style on the West Coast in the 1940s and 50s. Unlike ballroom styles with fixed choreography, WCS is a conversation: the leader suggests, the follower interprets, and no two dances look the same. It's danced in a "slot," a narrow lane on the floor, with an elastic connection between partners that gives the dance its signature stretch and play.

What sets it apart is the music. WCS works with almost anything that has a steady beat: today's pop and R&B, blues, country, even acoustic covers. That's why it has become one of the fastest-growing partner dances in the world, with communities in nearly every major city, including this one.

You don't need rhythm, a partner, or dance experience to start. Start with the basics and the dance opens up from there: technique, patterns, ways to play with them, and your own style.

Never danced West Coast Swing? Start here

West Coast Swing is a smooth, improvised partner dance done to the music you already listen to: pop, R&B, blues, country. Here is the whole plan.

Take the Wednesday beginner class

6:30 PM, drop in, no experience needed. One class is enough to dance that same night.
Stay for the party

Dancing follows classes on Wednesday, and Friday night is the big one. Times are under Where to Dance above.
Keep dancing

Classes teach patterns, socials solidify the dancing. Every party is a chance to dance with new people and let what you learned sink in, at whatever pace suits you.

The convention circuit

Weekend conventions are where the WCS world meets: three to four days of workshops, competitions, and dancing until sunrise. No major event calls Vegas home right now, but the circuit runs close, and the Rhythmic Souls crew travels together.

Where Rhythmic Souls goes

High Desert Dance Classic RS Trip

Palmdale, CA · about 3.5 hours from Vegas

Jack & Jill O'Rama RS Trip

Garden Grove, CA · June · all Jack & Jill, all weekend

Desert City Swing RS Trip

Phoenix, AZ · late summer · about 4.5 hours from Vegas

Ask Donnie or Regina before booking your first event. They'll point you to the right one for your level, and traveling with the studio crew beats going alone.

The majors within a day's drive

January: Monterey Swingfest (Monterey, CA) · February: Capital Swing (Sacramento, CA) · April: City of Angels (Los Angeles, CA) · May: SwingDiego (San Diego, CA) · October: Boogie by the Bay (SF Bay, CA) and Halloween Swingthing (Torrance, CA) · November: The US Open Swing Dance Championships (Burbank, CA) · December: TAP, The After Party (Irvine, CA)

Dates and venues shift year to year. The WSDC events calendar has the current list.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a partner to dance West Coast Swing in Las Vegas?

No. Singles and couples are both welcome. Every class and social on this page rotates partners, so show up alone and you will dance all night, or bring a partner and dance together as much as you like.

What is the best night for beginners to try West Coast Swing in Las Vegas?

Wednesday or Friday at Rhythmic Souls Dance Studio. Wednesday has a dedicated beginner class at 6:30 PM, and Friday has a beginner intro class at 7:45 PM right after the dance party opens at 7:30. No experience or partner required.

How much do West Coast Swing classes cost in Las Vegas?

At Rhythmic Souls Dance Studio, Wednesday classes are $17 drop-in or $55 for a 4-week series, and the Wednesday dance party is included with class tuition. The Friday social is $15, and the concept workshop is $10 extra. For private lesson rates, call the studio at 702-723-SPIN.

I'm visiting Las Vegas for a weekend. Where can I dance West Coast Swing?

Friday night is your safest bet: the Rhythmic Souls dance party runs every week from 7:30 PM at Alchemy Breaking Academy, 5154 W. Patrick Ln, about 15 minutes from the Strip. In town midweek, take the Wednesday classes.

Does Las Vegas have its own West Coast Swing convention?

Not currently. The nearest major WCS conventions run in California and Arizona, including the US Open Swing Dance Championships (Burbank, November), SwingDiego (San Diego, May), and Desert City Swing (Phoenix, late summer). Rhythmic Souls Dance Studio organizes group trips to several events each year.

What should I wear to a West Coast Swing dance?

Casual and comfortable. Most dancers wear jeans or athletic wear with smooth-soled shoes or sneakers. There is no dress code at Rhythmic Souls.