People Love Us on Yelp!

How about a round of applause? Friday Night Swing now has its own entry on Yelp, and we've clocked in at five stars -- the highest possible rating! According to one reviewer, FNS is "the best place to swing dance in the Bay area." Another Yelper says, "I feel just as loved there as if it were my very own home." And reviewer D.B. notes that great music is "one of the main reasons I enjoy Friday Night Swing."

What do you love about Friday Night Swing? The venue? The people? The music? The teachers? The snacks? The slick floor? The snowballs and birthday jams? The, ahem, amazing blog? Whatever your reasons for loving Friday Night Swing, we invite you to go tell it on the mountain!

Friday Night Swing To Honor Shirley's Birth

You may recognize Shirley from her show-stopping performance in the Metronome's most recent winter showcase, Jingle & Rock. You may recognize her fiery red hair and contagious smile, which transcended the constraints of space and time to inspire the romantic poetry of William Wordsworth, John Keats, and Percy Shelley. If you know what's good for you, you'll join us this Friday to help celebrate the birthday of the one, the only, the magnificent Shirley!

First Birthday Jam in the New Space!

Join us tonight at our new venue for an event that will blow your mind! No, it's not a monster truck rally. Nope, not an invasion by a robot army from the future. No, no, no--there'll be no motocross racing, no mud-wrestling, and no lindyhopping on the ceiling. (Now you're being ridiculous.)

The not-to-be-missed event in question is--dramatic pause--the first-ever birthday jam in our new space!

The occasion for tonight's birthday jam? None other than the nth anniversary of my arrival on this weird planet! If you miss out on this momentous occasion, you'll be despondent for weeks--so put on your party face, grab your swing shoes, and come on out to Friday Night Swing.

Friday Night Swing Enters New Era

Everyone knows that Friday Night Swing doesn't skip a beat. We just said farewell to the Block Party last week, and this Friday we'll be saying hello to our new location at 1500 16th Street.

You'll have to pardon our stardust, as the venue is not yet in its final form. Afraid you'll get lost trying to find the new space? Well, don't worry! It's right around the corner from the Block Party. Need a map?

Contrary to rumors, presidential drop-out Mike Huckabee will not be cutting the ceremonial ribbon this Friday night. You might say he won't Hucka-bee there. In fact, there will be no ribbon-cutting ceremony -- just a whole lot of swing dancing! So come on out and join in the fun.

Our Last Night in the Block Party!

The Block Party. It's a loft-like space in Potrero Hill, just around the corner from the Metronome's main ballroom. There are benches along three walls, a fully mirrored fourth wall, and a high, slanting ceiling with exposed rafters and a disco ball. The deejay booth sits in the back left corner. Just beyond it, there's a kitchenette, and beyond that, there's a staircase leading up to a mezzanine that overlooks the main floor. The color scheme? Purple and turquoise. Dance-related art on the walls? Yes.

Diane Jarmolow opened the doors to the Block Party in 1995 for Paul and Sharon at the start of the swing renaissance. Many teachers have followed in their footsteps, including our beloved Autumn LaVarta.

Just think of all the dancing feet--night after night, year after year--that boogied on the smooth Block Party floor. Think of all the swingouts, the inside turns and Frankie kicks, all the snowballs and birthday jams. Think of the rush you felt when your favorite swing song came on, or when you checked yourself out in the mirror mid-dance and thought you looked pretty damned good. Think of all the friendships that were made and the couples who met (or re-met) in this very room. Think of what this space has meant to you.

We're excited about our new location, but we're sad to see the Block Party go, and it deserves a farewell befitting our warm memories. This Friday is the last night of dancing this floor will ever see, so come out this Friday and help us tear it apart with our swing shoes.

Change in Store for Friday Night Swing

You may have heard it through the grapevine. You may have heard it on the evening news. You may even have heard it from Autumn himself. Yes, a big change is on the horizon for Friday Night Swing!

The details remain unconfirmed, but we do know that Friday Night Swing will be moving to a new location in the next few weeks. Don't worry -- we won't be moving far. In fact, you could probably stand at the entrance to the Block Party, throw a rock, and hit the new location. This is not recommended, however.

Of course, we'll be having a grand celebration on the last Friday Night Swing at the Block Party, and a grand celebration on the first Friday Night Swing in the new location. Stay tuned for the latest information on the move. But for now, we will see you tonight at the usual time and place!

Piglet with Heart-Shaped Marking To Crash Friday Night Swing!

Mark your calendars for a Friday Night Swing you won't soon forget! This Friday, February 15th, we'll be celebrating the day after Valentine's Day with a dance-stravaganza.

Valentine's Day decorations procured at half price -- pink and red balloons and crepe-paper streamers, heart-shaped confetti on the tables, cupid cutouts on the walls -- will set the mood for a spectacular evening of swing dancing. Plus, there'll be special music from Autumn's vast collection, and a table full of mouth-watering delectables -- including Elise's world-famous pineapple upside-down cake.

And as if that weren't enough to tempt you away from your couch and remote control, there will also be a surprise appearance from Valentine, the adorable piglet with a heart-shaped marking, at midnight on the nose.

Want to volunteer to bring additional treats for this special occasion? Of course you do! Email FridayNightSwingSF@gmail.com.