An exclusive Balboa and Collegiate Shag weekend workshop featuring world-renowned instructors, hot live jazz, the 2nd Annual Hot Rhythm Ball, and introducing the Texas Balboa and Collegiate Shag Championships.

Come visit us in Austin to experience a one-of-a-kind event! We’re bringing the Bal and Shag communities together for one fun-filled, amazing weekend. Start your Holiday by joining us at the Hot Rhythm Ball, a classy evening with dinner, special performances, and dancing. Saturday and Sunday will have tracked-level classes during the day and contests at night. Even if you don’t compete, there will be plenty of social dancing with dancers from near and far—you won’t want to miss this event!

Hot Rhythm Holiday 2010 Instructors:

• Nick Williams
• Laura Keat
• Mickey Fortanasce
• Kelly Aresenault

For more information, see http://www.hotrhythmholiday.com/

Come celebrate our birthday with a free night of lessons and dancing!

• September 29th
• Tapestry Dance Company

7:30pm - 3 free classes to choose from
8:30pm - Music and dancing!

• Live performances!
• Live band!

Don't worry if you don't know any cool moves. We offer a FREE class designed to get you out onto the floor and swinging.

First Thursday - The first week of the month, come out and get the Blues! You can find a special side room lesson on Blues Dance as well as Syndicate DJs spinning you the best in slow-tempo blues and jazz.

Second Thursday - The second week of the month, don't forget to check out some smokin' fast music in the side room. Swing out till it hurts and work your Balboa and Collegiate Shag magic with a side room focused on all music uptempo.

Third Thursday - The third Thursday of every month brings West Coast Swing night for the side room. Come check out our WCS DJs as they spin you the best in swingable blues, hip-hop, R&B, and more.

Fourth Thursday - The fourth Thursday of the month, we bring you a special side room dedicated to collegiate shag and fast dancing. Enjoy!

8:00pm-midnight
Intro classes at 8:15 (Free with paid admission!)
$2 members / $5 non-members
2 rooms for dancing
Click here for a map
More Information  

It is with tremendous sadness that we announce the death of one of the most important members of the Austin Swing Syndicate. Keith Shapiro, 31, passed away in his sleep on August 5th, 2010.

Keith filled many important roles for the Austin Swing Syndicate. He was at one time the Syndicate Vice President, our Equipment coordinator, a DJ, an instructor for our beginner blues class, and he helped manage this website. Keith and his wife Summer also helped organize and run the 9th Austin Lindy Exchange "To The Nines" (2008).

In addition he filled many important roles in other swing and blues dance events in Austin and around the country. Before Keith and his family moved to Austin in 2006 he founded the Orlando Blues dance organization in Orlando, FL. He was one of the founders and organizers of the Blues Association of Austin that runs Kick Butt Blues, Austin's weekly blues dance, and he helped organize and run Austin Blues Party 1 (2007) & 2 (2008). He was the Sound and Band coordinator for Lone Star Championships for the past three years, and he served as Technical & Music Director for BluesSHOUT!, one of the most popular blues dance events in the country.

In addition, Keith also was a DJ for many local and national dance events such as the Austin Lindy Exchange (Austin, TX 2007-2009) Lone Star Championships (Austin, TX 2008-2009), BluesSHOUT! (2007-2010) ATLX (Atlanta, GA 2006), Emerald City Blues Festival (Seattle, WA 2008), and Blues Blaze (New York City 2009).

Earlier this year he created and DJ'd the monthly "Serious Soul Dance Party" at a new Austin venue, The Highball. He also helped a fellow DJ to initiate a monthly "Serious Blues Dance Party" there. In mid July Keith announced that he and The Highball would start offering dances there weekly, rotating the dance/musical genres of West Coast Swing, Blues, Disco/Hustle and Soul. The event drew a lot of support from the dance community and Keith was DJing one of many expected weeks at the Highball the night before he passed.

Keith's family is organizing a memorial in his honor. We will update this website and our Facebook Group page with new information as we hear of it.

In the meantime if you would like to help Keith's widow, Summer, and their 2 children, please go to...
http://www.ourwishingwell.com/registries/view/165934218

Special thanks to Jane Prusakova for her photo of Keith Shapiro.