- First Saturday Swing (live music)Infinity Dance Sport Center, San Diego, CA
The live music is a once-per-year event at the monthly First Saturday Swing.
First Saturday Swing is the biggest regular San Diego event, going to the live music by Dave Stuckey and the Hot House Gang for this holiday month. It happens on (you've guessed right!) the first Saturday of each month at the Infinity Dance Sport Center. Please check the Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/pg/FirstSaturdaySwing/events/ for details (event is not yet published there). A lesson starts at 8PM, dance party at 9PM (doors open at 7:30PM). Technically the dancing ends at 12:30AM, but finding a dance partner about midnight might be a challenge.
Logistics: Admission this time is expected to be $20 (due to live music, an update will be published closer to the event). Parking is easy and free (use the business parking lots around the building or the street parking), this light-industrial neighborhood feels very safe. Dress for a truly warm atmosphere. The quality of the large, but sometimes crowded, dance floor is excellent, it is one of the best ones in San Diego. Admission includes a free lesson. Water dispenser is available, complimentary soda, chips and other snacks are provided
Dancers: expect more than 100 dancers present, ranging from beginners to very advanced. There are frequently somewhat more followers than leaders, ratio usually gets more even as the party progresses. The event is quite beginner-friendly.
- San Diego Jazz PartyDel Mar Hilton, Del Mar, CA
San Diego Jazz Party is an (almost) yearly three-day jazz festival in San Diego (held in Del Mar Hilton hotel, do not confuse with the San Diego Jazz Festival now apparently on hiatus). The SDJP is mostly intended for the jazz afficionados that like to listen to music. However, a Saturday night involves dancing. This time Lizzy & the Triggermen will be performing the "1930s and 1940s big band favorites", I expect this 10-piece orchestra to deliver great sound (fair warning: Lizzy also used to talk a lot about politics - and weed). This is mostly a "save a date" announcement, check the site, sdjp.org/ , for updates.
If my past experience is of any guidance, the attendance is high, but almost all people come to listen to the jazz standards, there are very few dancers, most above intermediate level, it would be very wise to bring your own dance partner due to a very thin crowd. Matching this mix of patrons, the ballroom is large, but the (two) dance floors used to be small, barely accommodating 20 or so dancers; the carpet was smooth and danceable in good shoes.
Entrance fee is steep ($55), parking in the hotel lot will be extra $15 (my suggestion is to prepay the parking upon arrival to avoid the hassle at the exit time).
- The San Diego Balboa and Lindy Exchange 2025 (a.k.a. SDBLX)Infinity Dance Sport Center, San Diego, CA
At this point, this is just a save-a-date notice. The tickets are not yet on sale.
SDBLX is a major 3-day event (you can attend it piecemeal, or book everything with one ticket). Each day includes a band and few hours of DJ music in addition to other things.
The crowd: more than 100 dancers, most with above intermediate skills. There typically is a noticeable lack of leads, not disastrous.
See the detailed schedule on sdblx.wordpress.com/schedule/
