The Indy Swing Scene

Here in Indianapolis, we’re fortunate enough to have two great venues that support Lindy Hop and Naptown Stomp. The beautifully restored Fountain Square Theatre in the heart of Indy’s Fountain Square Cultural District has partnered with Naptown Stomp over the past several years to offer an introductory swing dance lesson before each of its dances and entertainment during band breaks. The theatre takes care to book excellent regional big bands that provide the perfect music for a night of swing dance; as a result, more than 200 dancers from the Indianapolis area and beyond regularly fill this theatre every second and fourth Friday of the month for some vintage fun. All ages are welcome.

• Maps and directions to Fountain Square Theatre.
• Check our calendar for the next Fountain Square Theatre dance.

The Jazz Kitchen, located just south of Broad Ripple Village, offers an intimate dance floor, great food and swinging sounds from the Midcoast Swing Orchestra several Tuesdays throughout the month. The 10-piece Midcoast Swing Orchestra performs classic ‘30s and ‘40s jazz representative of the great Harlem dance bands, including Basie, Ellington and Lunceford. Patrons must be 21 or older.

• Directions to the Jazz Kitchen
• Check our calendar for Midcoast Swing Orchestra’s next appearance at the Jazz Kitchen

We’re aalso very fortunate to be surrounded by several colleges and universities with active swing dance clubs that host events throughout the year:

• Indiana University Swing Club (Indiana University, Bloomington, IN.)
• Purdue Night Train (Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN.)
• Ball State Swing Society (Ball State University, Muncie, IN.)
• Anderson University Swing Club (Anderson University, Anderson, IN.)
• Rose-Hulman Swing Club (Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, Terre Haute, IN)
• The Swing Society at the University of Illinois (University of Illinois, Champaign, IL.)

Other regional swing organizations near us include:

• CincySwing (Cincinnati, OH)
• SwingColumbus (Columbus, OH)
• Hepcats (Lexington, KY)
• Lindy Lou (Louisville, KY)
• SwingOutDayton (Dayton, OH)
• Windy Hop (Chicago, IL)