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Lindy in the Park
Rating Details »
Category: Active Life [Edit]
Golden Gate ParkJohn F Kennedy Dr, between 8th and 10 Ave
San Francisco, CA 94121
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
22 reviews for Lindy in the Park
Great place and great crowd and very friendly. You want proof..here it goes.
Girl: Wanna dance?
Me: YES
After 2 mins of dancing
Girl: I hate to tell you, your fly is open!
Me: Wha?
Girl: YOUR FLY IS OPEN!
Me: Oh that..Its HOT inside
idk why there aren't more reviews because this swing venue is awesome! This is were I learned to dance...thanks to their free swing lesson (tailored for everyone) and the friendly, funky regulars. There's always new people checking this out too because on Sunday, you get bikers, skaters and runners stopping to clap and watch us cut a rug!
If you haven't checked this out, you need to go...and if you're a little hesitant or don't know how to dance-what a better place to learn!? I mean it's free...come on!
Only 18 reviews? Wow. Lindy is the Park is seriously a hidden gem, and I can't believe more people haven't discovered how awesome this FREE, FUN dance party in the park is.
Here's the low-down. Aite, here we goes:
WHAT: It's FREE swing-dancing every Sunday in Golden Gate Park, from 11:00am - 2:00pm. There's a free lesson from 12-12:30pm. The group's there every Sunday, except when it's pouring rain.
WHERE: Enter at 10th and Fulton; you'll find the group of swing dancers by the bridge area by the DeYoung Museum.
AWESOME:
+ Well, first off, it's FREE. Absolutely FREE. And if you're a beginner, which I am, they have that free lesson, which teaches you all the basic steps so you can dance around and look like you kinda know what you're doing.
+ It's really FUN! Everyone is so friendly! During the lesson, you go into a large circle with your partner, and for each new move, you switch partners, so you end up dancing with lots of new partners and it's interesting/fun to feel everyone's different styles. The best part is everyone is really friendly and just out there to have some fun.
+ Did I already say it's really fun? I think there are few things in life that give you so much happiness and fun in the moment, and dance is one of them! And swing dancing is so incredibly cute and cool and fun.
+ It's great for both beginners or advanced. There's always people there who are willing to show you new moves or dance with you. I came with a friend of me, and we danced for most of the time, but then I went and danced with other random strangers too, which was also really fun and educational because they taught me new stuff even though I was a silly-looking noob at times. But yeah, it's really great.
I go running in Golden Gate Park pretty often, and I used to always pass by this cute little group of swingers (it's a GREAT spot to people-watch; you will be hard-pressed to find a more visibly happy and lighthearted group of folks than the random assortment of swingers here) and I used to think, "Oh, how cute! How very cute!"
But now. I'm one of them too! I'm glad I finally joined in on the fun. I'm happy I decided to join the party instead of just watching on the sidelines. A very humongous heartfelt spanks to my dear friend for introducing me to swing and being my dance partner in crime.
This is great activity to spend your Sunday and it's FREE! I have come here twice and both times I had so much fun, which is why I decided to take swing dancing lessons.
Everyone I danced with is very patient and nice. Also it's great to people watch as well. Parking can be bit of hassle. I usually try to come earlier before 12 pm and snag a free parking spot since they close down the streets within the park to car traffic.
Long before I ever made any plans to set foot in California, I was swing dancing in North Carolina, and my dance partner, apropos of nothing, told me that if I was ever in San Francisco on a Sunday, I should without fail go to Lindy in the Park.
Wow was she right. This is about the most fun I've ever had. There are a ton of people, everyone's smiling, and everyone wants to dance. Go!!!
The most fun thing I have seen in this City, and I have been here very very long... Seven years. I have missed dancing so much! Finally something to look forward to on a Sunday; some place to take visitors instead of the world famous prison.
The only problem is parking on the North side of the Park. Impossible. Better to find a spot somewhere on Lincoln and walk through. I haven't tried the museum garage, maybe that's another way to get there in time for the class.
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LitP is a great place to go swing dancing and even better, it's free. I've never been to the lesson so I can't review that but the dancing crowd each week is pretty good. I've gone with friends and we all seem to have a good time each LitP we go to. Parking (as usual) is a bit of a nightmare - it is the Richmond/Outer Richmond area after all. There is a garage closeby (for the De Young & Academy) you can park in but I would recommend scouting the avenues before making your way to park in the garage. Save yourself a few bucks. Overall, LitP is a staple in the swing community and every swing dancer, beginner to advanced, would enjoy it.
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Is it Sunday yet?
Sundays in Golden Gate Park is when Lindy in the Park takes place. It's a free swing dance from 11am to 2pm, next to the De Young Museum along JFK Drive.
It's a fun community event where locals mix with visitors, ranging from young to old. You end up meeting people whom you've otherwise wouldn't have met.
Best thing is it's free and outdoors. There's a 1/2 hour lesson from Noon, no partner required. Most of the dancers arrive around that time, so stick around if you get there earlier.
PS: Bring comfortable, non-grippy shoes to dance in.
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What a great way to spend a Sunday! Dance lesson starts at noon and we never miss it.
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Lindy in the Park is a nice outdoor swing dance in Golden Gate Park on JFK between 8th and 10th (near the de Young Museum). It's free. 11am to 2pm-ish. There's a free dance lesson at 12:30pm.
A number of folk regularly drive from various place around the bay (East Bay, South Bay, and some from Sacramento at times) to dance here.
Come to dance or just watch. One of the many great opportunities to enjoy dancing in the Bay Area.
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This is a great outlet for various Swing Dancers around SF.
Its in Golden Gate Park on the Bridge right by the De Young museum on Sunday mornings.
You can participate, or just watch (as many people do).
I have seen some AMAZING dancers here that I have not seen anywhere else.
Hep Jen teaches an excelent beginners class here and DJ Ken Watanabe plays music with various tempos.
Did I mention that its free?
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There was a time when I spent practically almost every. Sunday. here. The schedule would be as follows:
Sunday morning:
2:30am - arrive back in Berkeley from SF from a night of dancing at the Doghouse, and more dancing (plus fries & shakes) at Mel's
10:30am - pick up friend in lower Berkeley and head over to to SF
11am - arrive at LitP in time to see Ken and/ or Dave and/or Chad setting up
11am-2pm - dance. socialize. mingle. dance some more.
2:30pm - head over to Crepevine on Irving for brunch with at least 7-12 other people.
Memories
-First "lindy exchange" -- Chicago comes to SF
-Dancing in snow! (Yes, it snowed in GGP one December!... or was it January?)
-300+ dancers at the bandshell for Frankie Manning's 85th b-day
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In all seriousness, LitP is a labor of love by some of the best, friendliest, most community-minded folks around who love to dance and love to spread the love of Lindy Hop to everyone. Though I haven't been in years (ironically enough, I stopped going when I moved to SF in '99 -- 4 blocks away from LitP) this event will always hold a special spot in my heart.
Now that I and my fiance are moving to the sunset - 1.5 blocks away from LitP, we may just have to pay a visit.
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Who knew flailing around like an idiot could be so much fun?
I've taken four of the free beginner classes so far, and I still feel like a schmuck, but a schmuck who's having a good time! The lessons are really straightforward, and if it wasn't for my two left feet I'd be tearin' up the Verdi Club by now. Seriously though, this is the best I've ever been at any kind of dance, which is a true testament to how good the instructors are.
I usually grab a cub of coffee and head over to watch all the "pros" do their thing before the free lesson. Even if I'm in the foulest of moods, I end up walking home without a care in the world.
Everyone is super friendly, and even if you look surly and standoffish like me, SOMEONE will ask you to dance.
I would go so far as to say this is one of my favorite things of ALL TIME.
LitP is sooooo cool it almost makes me pee in my pants. 'Cause who says all Black people can dance? Yes, I can boogie, do the funky chicken, the freak and the jerk. I can shimmy, electric slide and even Roger Rabbit. But after lo these many years and a handful of lessons, swing dancing still eludes me. And that's where Lindy in the Park comes in. Free swing lessons, surrounded by so many people having fun in the sun that you can't help but pick up the steps. Half an hour last Sunday and I was damn near doing the Charleston!
So here's the deal. Every Sunday, from 11 to 2, this super cool crew sets up a sound system in the heart of Golden Gate Park, on JFK Drive by the DeYoung, just to spin for a big crowd of dance happy fools. And at 12:30 there's a half-hour lesson for newbies like me. One of those deals where they teach you a few steps and then you try them with your partner. They teach you a few more steps and you switch and then try them with a new partner. Round and round with laughing cool people who are very forgiving of folks who can boogie, but have two left feet when it comes to partner dance.
The lesson was taught by the appropriately named Hep Jen and LitP co-founder Ken Watanabe. Every week they teach you a different little somethin'-somethin'. After the lesson they do a special dance for all the birthday folks and out-of-towners. Then it's move to the groove and meet cool folks till you just can't swing no more.
And did I mention that it's all FREE?! No reason not to keep heading back. Heck, soon I'll be an intermediate.
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I love it, love it, love it. This is a staple in my life and was before I even moved the city. I COMMUTED for this! I've met some amazing people and dancers here, some of whom are close friends. Naomi is an awesome DJ and when it's sunny out, I'm reminded of why I wanted to live in the city in the first place. It has to be something uber important to make me miss LitP. And no a hangover generally doesn't count.
Come one come all. Free lesson at 12:30 and if you want to dance just ask! I'll dance with pretty much anyone who asks! If it's your first time, get in the jam!
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My roommate and I went to check out Lindy in the Park last week and had SUCH a good time. The instructors are friendly and energetic, and they repeat the steps just enough so that you catch on but don't get bored. We thought you had to bring a dance partner, but you end up in a big circle, trading off.
I like swing because it's good clean fun. You encounter significantly less sketchy guys trying to get up on you than you would at the club. Everyone here is just out to enjoy the weather and have a good time. Highly recommend!
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Holy Shit! Is this STILL happening?!
This is where the "SF Steal" was perfected....
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2 trains to get here?? it took me a 15 min car ride, 30 min bart ride, 20 min bus ride, and a 10 min walk to get here... it was completely worth it.
u can tell i'm having a great time when the guy im dancing w/ says to me "you look reaaaalllly happy." WELL I AM!!!! seriously i go around and look like a grinning fool, but thats because i am having an AMAZING time.
i went last weekend for the SF lindy exchange and it was fucking amazing. we got there and there was TONS OF PIE EVERYWHERE. FREE PIE. FREEEE!!! the highlight of my day was when i got to do lifts! i was so surprised the first time my shoes flew off. lol. sooo fun. and then at the end of SFLX, all the women get roses!! AWESOME. i had the best time EVER.* i danced for 4 hrs, but it felt like only 1 hr! i cant wait for another event like this!!!!
*except when there was one really extremely creepy man who kept telling me i had pale skin and looked really beautiful and would not let me dance w/ anyone else and then started to follow me around. except for that...
If I have kids, I'll be able to tell them I danced in the snow. In San Francisco. And they'll be all, "Daddy, what's snow?"
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I heart Lindy in the Park so much I take 2 trains or a bus and a train or two buses to get there. If only it were closer to my house! I can't believe there's only 10 reviews. If you have the slightest curiosity or inclination to dance in the great outdoors with fun folks, don't wait another minute - come on down, it's Sunday!
One of the pleasures of living in SF. Free lindy GG Park?! "Hep Jen" is a great teacher too btw. Wish I could make it there more often!
Yep, it's still happening. They had their 11th anniversary celebration in August, and it was FUN. A great venue for those who like to swing dance, want to learn to swing dance, or just feel like listening to a good variety of swing tunes while watching some amazing (and in my case, not so amazing) dancers. There's a free beginner lesson at 12:30, no partner necessary. Ken Watanabe and "Hep Jen" are really nice, and make newcomers feel welcome. They have photos on their website: http://www.lindyinthep.../
