All the latest info about upcoming Swing (and swing-ish) music gigs
in and around Dublin.

Weekly gigs

NOTE: It's sometimes a good idea to ring ahead to check if a particular gig is on, especially around bank holidays and at Christmas time.

Wednesdays

Route 66 at the Camden Palace (a.k.a. the Palace Nightclub, at the Camden De Luxe Hotel, 84-87 Lower Camden Street ), 7.00 -11 p.m.:
Every Wednesday night in the Camden Palace Ballroom, we host Route 66, our Swing social night! Doors open at 7.50 p.m., and admission is €8 (or more if there is a live band playing). Free, easy, drop-in beginners East Coast Swing class 8.00 - 8.45 (see the Classes page for more info about the lesson), DJed swing dancing 8.45 - 11.15 (or so). You don't need to bring a partner, just a desire to have some fun! If you're looking for parking in the area, the Stephens Green carpark is a very short walk away, it's open 24/7, and it's only €6 after 5 p.m.

We now share this night with another teacher, Jessica (www.dublindy.com), a good friend of ours. We alternate with her in putting on the night (i.e. we do every second week). Hopefully this doubles the number of different dance steps being taught in the beginner lesson (and the amount of fun being had). :-)

Starting Wednesday, March 26, we’ll also be offering a second class on the night! From 7:00 to 7:45, we’ll be offering a “Beyond the Basics” class. This class will be aimed at people who have been coming to the Beginners lesson for at least a few weeks, are comfortable with the dance, and want to start learning more challenging moves. Don’t worry, this is still a drop-in class, so you don’t have to sign up in advance or anything. :-)

Notes on upcoming nights:

Wednesday, March 12: Our next night at Route 66. A good night to get yourselves loosened up for Paddy’s weekend. ;-D

Wednesday, March 26: Our night at Route 66 again. But more importantly, the new “Beyond the Basics” class kicks off at 7:00!  Be sure not to miss it!

No other big announcements for now, but be sure to watch this space!

Sundays

4 Dame Lane at, er, 4 Dame Lane, 5:30-8:30 p.m., €8.
The Dublin City Jazz Orchestra, an 18-piece band, have a residency here. Plenty of dance space, and rumour has it that if you tell them at the door that you’re a Swing dancer, you may get a bit of a discount…?

Mondays

[Note (especially for out-of-town visitors): it's been quite a while since we went to either of these nights, and we don't know how many (if any) dancers go to either of these Monday night gigs.]

The Bleu Note on Capel Street, 10 p.m.-midnight (I think)
The Essential Big Band play all your favorite swing tunes, and rather well too. Dance space extremely limited (maybe 1 couple if you're careful). Big band, small room: might want to bring your earplugs.

Cafe en Seine on Dawson St., 10 p.m.-midnight (give or take a bit at either end)
Jazz bands play way down the back every Monday night (or the last we heard, anyway). Usually pretty good stuff. Dance space very limited. We don't know if many dancers regularly attend this.

Once-off gigs

The Vertical Rhythm Club at the Garda Club on Harrington Street (usually), 8 p.m.-12:30, €10 (usually)
About once a month, Jessica runs a Swing night that includes a beginner lesson 8:30-9. The Garda Club is a nice, big venue, and Jessica runs a good night there, well worth going. Check out her site at www.dublindy.com for more details or to check the upcoming dates.