swing dance courses & parties in bAsel

Yes, if you enjoy being active, having fun, and looking for a break from your daily routine.

Swing dancing is relaxed, versatile, and free of rigid rules. You can dance both calmly and energetically to slow and fast music, and find your own style.

Because there are so many different options, many people find their place in the swing dance community, and it’s easy to meet new people.

Still not sure? Just give it a try:

• at the free crash course at our parties,

• a "In a Day" workshop or

• in the Beginner 1 course.

Swing dancing can have a very positive impact on your daily life. It brings excitement to your life, helps you relax, and gives you energy at the same time. But hear directly from our dancers how swing dancing enriches their lives.

We do not offer trial lessons.

But you can try swing dancing easily and risk-free:

• at the free crash course at our parties,

• at an In a Day workshop or

• in the Beginner 1 course with a money-back guarantee.

In just two and a half hours at an "In a Day" session, you'll get a good feel for the dance and know whether a weekly class is right for you.

If, after three lessons, you realize that swing dancing isn't for you, we'll refund the remaining course fee.

No risk with our money-back guarantee.

If you're new to our classes and realize after three lessons that swing dancing isn't for you, we'll refund the remaining course fee.

The only requirement: You must have attended three sessions and let us know briefly before the fourth lesson.

No, everyone is welcome. So feel free to come, with or without a partner.

Swing dances are social dances. The goal is to be able to dance with many different people. That’s why we regularly switch dance partners and roles during the class.

Even if it feels a little strange at first:

• You'll learn faster,

• You'll become more versatile,

• and it's often more fun

Are you coming with a dance partner?

No problem. You can also stay together and practice together outside of class.

Fill out the form for the course you're interested in. You'll receive an automatic confirmation of your registration via email.

As soon as your spot is confirmed, we'll send you a confirmation of enrollment and an invoice.

Our courses build on one another: Therefore, at the end of the series, you will automatically be registered for the next course.

You will receive an email regarding this, and if necessary, you can simply unsubscribe within the specified time frame.

You can find more information about this in ourTerms and Conditions.

Beginners may join a Beginner 1 course up to 3 weeks after the course starts:

Book a half-hour introductory private lesson and let us know which class you’d like to join. We’ll bring you up to the group’s level and give you the best possible start.

If you already dance swing, you can join us at any time, even if you've taken a break or are coming from another dance school:

Choose your class or book a half-hour introductory private lesson. Together, we’ll find the right class for you.

The introductory private lesson is free when you enroll in a course.

Yes, definitely!

You can easily learn the basics in a crash course at our parties.

After that, you can join in right away—no set routines or strict rules. After every song or every other song, everyone switches partners, and everyone dances with everyone else.

The atmosphere is open and relaxed: people ask each other to dance in a friendly way, thank each other afterward, and have fun together.

Whether you're a complete beginner or an experienced dancer, everyone is welcome.

Feel free to check out our Instagram or Facebook page and get a sense of the vibe.

You can find the total price in the course description. Because we love swing dancing and want you to become a true jitterbug, you’ll receive a discount if you take more than one course. 

Base price per lesson:

• 1 class per week: 25 / 23* CHF

Discount for enrolling in more than one course:

• 2nd course per week: -16%

• 3rd course per week: -32%

This way, you can dance more and dive deeper into the world of swing.

Each course typically consists of 8–10 lessons, each lasting 70 minutes, including a video recap.

Registration is possible with or without a partner.

*Reducedprice for students, apprentices, and KulturLegi holders. If the price is still a barrier for you, please contact us at info@baseljitterbugs.ch and we’ll find a solution.

You will receive a QR invoice in CHF, which you can easily pay via online banking.

Scan the QR code with your banking app to import all the data directly.

For courses costing 180 CHF or more, payment in installments is available :

• 50% upon maturity

• 50% within 30 days

Please let us know by email.

Payment in euros or cash is also available upon request.

After each lesson, you'll receive a video recap that you can use to review the material on your own.

You can also make up missed classes during the same week

• in the parallel course

• or make up for a lower level.

For extended absences of three or more consecutive weeks, such as for vacation or business trips, we will work together to find a solution:

• Decree,

• Credit toward future courses or

• A make-up private lesson as compensation.

The condition is that you have notified us by email before we send the invoice.

For longer absences, we recommend a make-up private lesson to ensure a smooth return to practice.

Yes, with us, you'll learn both right from the start: leading and following.

This has clear advantages:

• Dance better: You'll grasp timing, momentum, and connection much more quickly.

• More freedom: You can dance with anyone and never have to wait at a social dance.

• No pressure to stick to a specific role: You decide for yourself what suits you best and switch roles whenever you feel like it.

If you find that you'd rather focus on a specific role, that's perfectly fine. We're flexible and will support you at your own pace.

You've only danced one role so far?

No problem—just send us a message and we'll find the right course for you.

After starting with the "In a Day" workshop or the Beginner 1 course, you'll progress through the levels step by step.

• By the time you reach the intermediate level, you will have learned the most important techniques, moves, and concepts.

• In the advanced levels, you'll delve deeper into specific topics and continue to develop your own style.

A rough estimate based on experience:

• Beginner 1–3: up to about 6 months

• Beginner/Intermediate 1–3: 6–12 months

• Intermediate 1-3: 12-18 months

• Intermediate+: 18-36 months

• Intermediate/Advanced: from 36 months

• Intensive: from 48 months

You'll grow at your own pace and always learn something new.

Wear clothes that you feel comfortable in and can move around easily in.

Many people enjoy dancing in the style of the 1920s–1950s, but it’s not a must.

Since you’re bound to work up a sweat, bringing one or more spare shirts is a good idea.

Sneakers with smooth soles or shoes with leather soles are ideal.

Important: Please do not wear outdoor shoes or shoes with black soles to protect our wooden floors.

For Balboa: Non-slip shoes are particularly comfortable. Heels are acceptable (approx. 3–4 cm), but they should be sturdy.

For many types of shoes, you can have a chrome-plated leather sole attached by a cobbler.

You can find special dance shoes at places like:

• Remix Vintage Shoes

• Saint Savoy

• Madame Dynamite or

• Swingin' Shoes.

If you have any questions, our teachers will be happy to help.

Everyone is welcome here. To ensure that everyone feels comfortable, we focus on respect and openness:

• No pigeonholing: We invite you to learn both leading and following. This will make you more flexible and improve your dancing.

• Safe Space: Racism, misogyny, homophobia, and transphobia have no place here; please see our Code of Conduct.

• Embrace your mistakes: Dancing is a learning process. Make mistakes, ask questions, and stay curious—we celebrate that!

• Your boundaries: It's okay to say "no" to a dance.

Not feeling comfortable? Talk to us or write to us. We are here for you.

Send us an email; we usually respond within 24 hours.

Or hear directly from our dance students about how swing dancing enriches their lives.