Dance With Us
Every Thursday

West Coast Swing in Albuquerque โ€” beginner lessons, social dancing, and a community that welcomes everyone. No partner or experience needed.

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Every Thursday 7:00 PM โ€“ 10:00 PM
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Lloyd Shaw Dance Center 5506 Coal Ave SE, ABQ
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Beginner Lesson Included 7:00โ€“7:45 PM every week
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First Time Free Just $3 after that

Everyone's Welcome Here

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No Experience Needed

We start fresh every week with a beginner lesson. You can walk in having never danced a step and leave knowing how to dance West Coast Swing!

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No Partner Needed

We rotate partners throughout the night. Come alone, come with friends โ€” everyone dances with everyone.

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Truly Inclusive

We're welcoming to all regardless of age, background, gender, or skill level. Lead, follow, or both โ€” you decide.

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First Time Free

Your first Thursday is on us. After that, it's just $3 at the door.

Next Up

August 27, 2026

Thursday WCS Social Dance

Lloyd Shaw Dance Center ยท 5506 Coal Ave SE, Albuquerque, NM 87108

Beginner lesson from 7:00โ€“7:45 PM โ€” we're trying a new format in August! Each week covers a push pattern, a turn pattern, and something new. Every lesson stands on its own, so jump in any week. No experience needed.

Social dance from 7:45โ€“10:00 PM. All levels welcome.

All Upcoming Events

Upcoming Special Event

Special Event

October 17โ€“18, 2026

John & Courtney Workshop Weekend

Multiple Venues, Albuquerque

WCS Champions Courtney Adair and John Kirkconnell are coming to town! For the weekend of October 17th, they'll have 3 All-Levels Workshops as well as several activities for competitors. Registration will open here at 7 pm on Friday, August 28th.

Courtney (she/her) is a professional West Coast Swing dancer, judge, and instructor with over 15 years of experience. She is also a professional therapist and holds a 500-hour Yoga Teacher Training certification with special training in teaching Trauma-Informed Yoga. She brings a unique blend of expertise in both the world of dance and the field of mental health.

John (he/him) is a Canadian WCS Champion who has been dancing West Coast Swing for 25 years and has been teaching for 23 in over 21 countries! A two time Classic Division US Open finalist, John prides himself on his sense of dynamic connection and ability to focus on the finer details.

The weekend's activities include 3 All-Levels workshops that build on each other and focus primarily on connection as a theme, and a Competitor's Retreat ($110 base, $55 for students with scholarship) comprising: a 1-hour workshop on preparation, mindset, and strategies for approaching Jack & Jill prelims and semis; a mock Jack & Jill to implement what you learn in a low-stakes environment; a follow-up workshop on areas of improvement Courtney and John observed; and individual feedback sessions where each couple performs a spotlight dance and receives detailed feedback on their strengths, weaknesses, and how to address them โ€” drawing on the spotlight dance, all dances in the mock Jack & Jill (4 minimum), and social dancing observations.

There will be several slots for private lessons with either John or Courtney. They also give the option to have a group private class if there's a topic you and a few others are interested in. Please contact Allen Erickson for availability.

Scholarships (Competitor's Retreat Pass only): Students may apply for a 50% discount, bringing the price to $55. All that is required is verification of your student status. The application is embedded into the registration form.

Volunteering (non-students): A limited number of positions are available. Each position will refund $15 of your ticket, paid to you at the start of your shift. Apply within the registration form. Positions will be filled on October 3rd based on the stated financial need of the applicants.

Note: This schedule is subject to change. All-levels workshops are optional add-ons for Competitor's Pass holders.

View Schedule
John & Courtney Workshop Weekend

What Is West Coast Swing?

West Coast Swing is a partner dance with a distinctive elastic, slotted style. Unlike many partner dances, it's completely music-agnostic โ€” it works with blues, pop, country, hip-hop, R&B, and pretty much anything with a beat in 4:4 time.

It's a social dance, which means the steps are improvised in conversation with your partner rather than choreographed. That's what makes it endlessly fun to learn: every dance is different.

More About Us

Quick Facts

  • Partner dance โ€” no prior dance experience needed
  • Works with virtually any music genre
  • Roles are not gender-assigned โ€” lead or follow, your choice
  • Albuquerque has a friendly, active WCS community