Advertisement

What, When, Where

Share

As with any night-life scene, clubs come and go. The best place to find out what’s happening now is to log onto www.nocturne.com Southern California’s most comprehensive swing site, which lists a nightly rundown of clubs, upcoming events and dozens of swing teachers as well as swing-centric books, movies, fashions and postcards.

Mondays: Alpine Village, 833 W. Torrance Blvd., Torrance, (310) 327-4384; www.alpinevillage.net, click Entertainment. Live bands, 8 to 11 p.m. All ages; free; two-drink minimum.

Tuesdays: Paladino’s, 6101 Reseda Blvd., Tarzana, (818) 342-1563; www.paladinosclub.com. Beginner-intermediate lesson, 8 to 9 p.m.; deejay dancing, 9 p.m. to midnight. 21 and over; full bar; $6 cover; $7 with class.

Advertisement

Wednesdays: Rusty & Peter’s Rhythm Club, Elk’s Lodge, 8025 W. Manchester Ave., Playa del Rey; www.swingshiftontap.com. Beginner’s East Coast swing lesson, 7:30 to 8 p.m.; deejay dancing, 8:30 p.m. All ages; no bar; $6 cover.

Thursdays: Lindy Groove, Pasadena Masonic Temple, 200 S. Euclid, Pasadena, (310) 596-0575; www.lindygroove.com. Beginners’ Lindy lesson, 7:30 p.m.; deejay dancing, 8 p.m. to midnight. All ages; no bar; $7 cover.

Fridays: KC’s Club, Wilshire Court, 104 Wilshire Ave., Fullerton, (714) 904-9232. Deejay dancing, 8:30 p.m. All ages; full bar; $5 cover.

Saturdays: Swing Pit, 735 E. Lexington Drive, Glendale, (626) 795-1517; www.swingpit.com. Beginners’ class, 7:30 p.m., deejay dancing, 8 p.m. to midnight. All ages; no bar; $7 cover.

Sundays: Third Street Swingers, Third Street Promenade, Santa Monica; www.geocities.com/thirdstreetswingers. Outdoor dancing on the Promenade, 2 to 6 p.m. every other Sunday. Open to everyone, but you need to know at least the basics (any style); $10 annual fee.

Nightly: The Derby, 4500 Los Feliz Blvd., L.A., (323) 663-8979; www.the-derby.com. Beginners’ East Coast swing classes, Fridays and Saturdays, 8:15 to 9:15 p.m.; beginners’ Lindy hop, Wednesdays, 8:15 to 9:15 p.m.; intermediate and advanced swing, Thursdays, 8:15 to 9:15 p.m. 21 and over; full bar and dining; cover varies, usually $5 to $10.

Advertisement

Memories, 12901 Philadelphia St., Whittier, (562) 693-7074; memories.dhs.org. Lessons beginning at 7:30 p.m. All ages (under 16 must be accompanied by an adult), full bar and dining, cover $5 to $15.

And check out the monthly Saturday night events at the Satin Ballroom, Veteran’s Memorial Building, 4117 Overland Ave., Culver City, (310) 358-6935; www.satinballroom.com. These tend to be grand affairs, with a 7,000-square-foot dance floor, big bands and evenings that seek to re-create the dance hall scenes of the ‘30s and ‘40s. Classes from 8 to 9 p.m. All ages; full bar; cover, $15 to $20.

Upcoming events and exchanges: You can grab a handful from the zillion fliers in most clubs’ entryways or get the full rundown at www.lindyexchange.com. Here are a few:

Seventh annual Monsters of Swing, March 15 to 17 in Ventura. Three days of dancing, lessons, contests, performances and big bands, including Big Bad Voodoo Daddy. 18 and over. Information at www.flyinlindyhoppers.com or (877) 643-3166.

Sin City Exchange, April 26 to 28, Las Vegas. This first-ever Las Vegas exchange is billed as “three days of live music, gambling, dancing, drinking, after-hours parties.” Information at www.lasvegaslindy.com or (702) 837-1297.

Swing Camp Catalina, cruise for three days of swinging by the sea, June 6 to 9. Information at www.swingcamp.com.

Advertisement

Pasadena Ballroom Dance Assn. holds Saturday night dances and sponsors many events around the Southland. Information at www.pasadenaball roomdance.com.

LAX Exchange, July 10 to 16, a full week of dancing clubs around town, as well as outdoor daytime events. www.yourlaxchange.com.

Advertisement