Swing The Pier

A few times a year we are privileged to be able to take over the wonderful Penarth Pier Pavilion for an evening of music and dance. Spacious and well floored venues are hard to come by, and the folks at the Pavilion are part of an important community drive to create more access to entertainment and the arts. We’re very proud to be able to offer their space to our swing dance community to enjoy, as well as to be actively supporting the jazz music scene in Cardiff by hiring local bands to play.

Next Event:

SWING THE PIER, FT. the katie crooks five

07.03.2025
7pm - 10:30pm
Penarth Pier, The Esplanade, Penarth, CF64 3AU
ADVANCE TICKETS ONLY

Fancy a night of great swingin' live music and dancing this Spring?

Grab your dance shoes and join us on Friday 7th March 2025 as The Swing Project returns to Penarth Pier for the next edition of Swing The Pier!

Kick off the evening with our Lindy Hop Warm Up Class - no experience or partner required. Lindy Hop is the mother of all swing dances, coming out of Harlem at the end of the 1920s and evolving alongside the swinging’ jazz rhythms of the era. It’s a partnered social dance that is all about rhythm, connection and having a great time on the dancefloor.

Then join us for a night of swing classics from the incredible Katie Crooks Five and The Swing Project's resident DJ Jessie Brooks.

GENERAL INFORMATION

General Admission: £18 (Booking Fees Apply) - If sold out, please contact jessie@swingproject.co.uk to enquire about the waitlist
E Ticket Proof required on door

Doors Open: 7pm
Taster Class: 7:15pm
Social: 8pm - 10:30pm

SAFETY POLICIES

Check out our Codes of Conduct for all our events.

Got questions? Check out our FAQs below.

FAQ

  • Lindy Hop is a partnered jazz dance that was created by African American dancers in Harlem, New York at the end of the 1920s. It evolved alongside the swinging jazz rhythms of the era as hot jazz, ragtime and stride piano gave way to big band swing. It embodies those rhythms as well as the values of improvisation, creativity, connection and community as a part of African American culture.

    You may have heard the term “swing dancing” before - Lindy Hop is a type of swing dancing. There are a number of other swing dances from this era that you may see on the social dancefloor e.g. Balboa, Collegiate Shag, Charleston.

    Learn more about the history of the dance, its pioneers and its legacy here.

  • No! In all our classes, we rotate partners so you’ll meet everyone. Lindy Hop is a social, improvised dance and so rather than learning a pattern or routine, you’ll learn the skills to communicate with one another, whatever your role, enabling you to dance with everyone.

  • Wear whatever you’re comfortable dancing in - it can get pretty warm on a dancefloor so light layers are a great idea. During the evening, you may find a change of shirt is a good idea if you want to freshen up.

    Flat, smooth soled shoes are a good shout as you don’t want grips on your shoes slowing you down or making it harder to move freely. Please do not wear high heels as you risk injuring other dancers.

  • We’ll be kicking off the night with a Lindy Hop Taster Class, giving you the basics to get you on that dancefloor and having fun all night long. No experience required.

  • There is street parking available along The Esplanade; please note that this may mean you need to walk a short distance to the venue.

    If you would rather come by public transport, Penarth Train Station is just 3 stops from Cardiff Central (approx 15 minute journey) and trains run regularly. The station is a 20-25 minute walk from the venue; please be aware the walk back to the station will be uphill.

  • The Swing Project strives to create safe, inclusive spaces for all attendees to enjoy. Please consult our Codes of Conduct for more information regarding behaviour and practices.