Triangle Swing Dance Society

Triangle Swing Dance Society YOUR SOURCE FOR COMMUNITY, CONNECTION...AND A LITTLE MAGIC. We throw swing dance parties in the North Carolina Triangle region that delight and dazzle. Join us!

Live Swing music - invigorating dancing - and marvelous people. Triangle Swing Dance Society was founded in 1992 to bring Swing dancing and Swing music to the Triangle region of North Carolina. We’ve operated with that mission for 30 years and have welcomed thousands of people at our events from all over the area, state, country, and world! Today, TSDS is a hot-spot for live Swing music danced by

people of all ages, backgrounds, identities, and skill levels. We bring in the best bands, include an intro lesson to get you up to speed, and lots of opportunities to get and stay involved. MISSION
Promote swing dance and live swing music in the Triangle region. VALUES
1. A space that is welcoming to all people. We believe in providing an inspiring, positive, and inclusive experience with quality venues, authentic swing music, and a little bit of magic.

2. The history of vernacular swing dances. We honor the people and places that originated them, the music that inspired them, and how they have evolved in today’s culture.

3. Beginners! Anyone at any level is welcome to dance with us.

4. Fun and joy! Dance is all about personal expression; there are no mistakes, only variations.

5. Communicating and listening to verbal and non-verbal cues.

6. Asking people to dance, especially strangers. Each new connection makes our community stronger.

7. Consent. Anyone can say yes or no to any dance, or stop a dance, at any time.

8. Safety and comfort.

9. Freedom to dance any role: lead, follow, switch, and solo.

10. Friendliness, politeness, and generosity towards all.

11. Supporting the entire community of Swing-jazz artists.

12. Jam circles for everyone, no matter your skill level!

Some dancers carry history in their bodies.David "Butts" Carne and Debra Youngblood carry decades of it.From Harlem’s Sa...
04/21/2026

Some dancers carry history in their bodies.

David "Butts" Carne and Debra Youngblood carry decades of it.

From Harlem’s Savoy Ballroom to stages with legends like James Brown, Cab Calloway, and Lionel Hampton, they are not just dancers. They are living connections to the roots of Lindy Hop.

This year, we want to bring them to Flying Home 2026.

To do that, we’re raising $5,000 to cover flights, lodging, meals, and to support elders who have given their lives to this dance and are now living on fixed incomes.
https://givebutter.com/flying-home-2026-bring-the-elders-home-mnfekv
Here’s what your support makes possible:

$2,000 — Their attendance is confirmed
$3,000 — Travel and meals fully covered
$5,000 — We begin building an ongoing elder program
This isn’t just about one weekend.

It’s about showing up for the people who built this dance.
It’s about making sure our community doesn’t just celebrate Lindy Hop—but honors where it comes from.

Whether you can give $5 or $500, your contribution matters.

If you’re able to give at higher levels, we’ll be recognizing donors and creating special opportunities to connect with these incredible artists during the event.

Help us bring them home.
https://givebutter.com/flying-home-2026-bring-the-elders-home-mnfekv

04/17/2026

Join us for a night of dancing to the always amazing Dexter Moses Quartet!

Mark your calendar for Saturday, April 18 and come dance it out with us to the Dexter Moses Quartet. It is going to be o...
04/03/2026

Mark your calendar for Saturday, April 18 and come dance it out with us to the Dexter Moses Quartet. It is going to be one of those nights where you plan to leave early and then suddenly it is the last song.

Dexter is one of our most popular bandleaders for a reason. The music feels good, it swings hard, and it keeps pulling you back onto the floor.

03/20/2026

Join us Saturday, March 21 for an unforgettable evening of live music, social dancing, and pure swing-era joy with the Second Line Stompers.

Doors open at 6:45PM, and the night begins with your choice of lesson:

Complimentary Introductory Lesson (7–8PM)
@ Carrboro Century Center
Perfect for first-timers. Learn the basics, get comfortable with the rhythm, and pick up a little swing history. No partner or experience needed.

Beyond the Basics Lesson ($5, 6:45–7:45PM)
@ Carrboro Civic Club, 108 Bim St, Carrboro, NC 27510
For dancers ready to stretch their skills and add something new to their toolbox. Space is limited, so sign up early.

Dance the Night Away

From 8–11PM, the dance floor comes alive with the Second Line Stompers, delivering bold horns, driving rhythms, and the jubilant spirit of New Orleans Jazz. Rooted in traditional jazz and early swing, their sound blends collective improvisation, infectious grooves, and rich ensemble interplay that keeps dancers moving from the first downbeat to the last chorus.

Whether you’re stepping out for your very first dance or you’ve been swinging for years, this is a night to immerse yourself in classic jazz energy and shared community on the floor. Come for the lesson, stay for the Stompers, and leave feeling the rhythm long after the music stops.

What: Dance party with the Second Line Stompers
When: Saturday, March 21 | 7:00–11:00 PM
Where: Carrboro Century Center

Parking:
The parking deck at the Drakeford Library Complex is open with 171 spaces.

🚫 Do not park at Carr Mill Mall — you will be towed.

Cost:
Advance: $20 non-members | $16 members
At the door: $25 non-members | $21 members

Free beginner lesson from 7:00–8:00 PM — no partner or experience required.
Beyond the Basics lesson 6:45–7:45 PM ($5) at the Carrboro Civic Club.

TSDS is your destination for community, connection, and a little bit of magic. We bring the joy of swing dance and swing music to the Triangle with fabulous events and enchanted evenings—reimagined.

Come ready to dance, learn, and be swept away by the music.
We can’t wait to see you on the floor.

You know you want to start your year with Swing!  Come dance with us!You don't need a partner or know how to dance, ther...
02/21/2026

You know you want to start your year with Swing! Come dance with us!
You don't need a partner or know how to dance, there is a lesson before the dance that is included with admission.
https://www.facebook.com/share/1N6wh1Ynpr/

This Black History Month, we honor Mama Lou Parks, a visionary cultural architect whose impact on swing dance is immeasu...
02/21/2026

This Black History Month, we honor Mama Lou Parks, a visionary cultural architect whose impact on swing dance is immeasurable.

As a talent manager and promoter, she championed Black dancers and helped bring Lindy Hop from the Savoy floor to national and international stages. She also worked to keep the Lindy Hop alive among her students in Harlem as an educator.

Through her work, audiences around the world witnessed the brilliance, athleticism, and creativity of Black American vernacular jazz dance. Many of the performances that shaped the global perception of Lindy Hop happened because Mama Lou insisted these dancers be seen.

Swing dance history is jazz history. And jazz history is Black history.

Mama Lou Parks was not just a manager; she was an advocate, strategist, and cultural preservationist who ensured that Black dancers received recognition during an era when their labor and artistry were routinely exploited or erased.

As we celebrate Black History Month, we acknowledge that the dances we love today were built by Black communities—and sustained by leaders like Mama Lou Parks who fought to make that artistry visible.

We will be swinging out with Queen Bee and the Honeylovers-- Will you?
02/20/2026

We will be swinging out with Queen Bee and the Honeylovers-- Will you?

We’re looking for new TSDS Board Members!The Triangle Swing Dance Society is seeking nominations for our Board of Direct...
11/11/2025

We’re looking for new TSDS Board Members!
The Triangle Swing Dance Society is seeking nominations for our Board of Directors. This is a working board — not just a fundraising one — so if you love swing dancing and want to help keep our community thriving, we want to hear from you!
Board members help organize dances, plan events,, and keep everything running smoothly behind the scenes. It’s a great way to give back, make new friends, and be part of the team that keeps swing alive in the Triangle.
Nominate yourself or someone you know by Nov 15th. Send nominations to [email protected], and include the nominee’s name, contact info, and a short note about why they’d be a great fit.
Let’s keep the rhythm going — join the team that makes the magic happen!

Will we see you there?
02/14/2025

Will we see you there?

Tomorrow! Feb15th Balboa Workshop and Dance Party with Taryn Newborne 🎷🎺

Address

Raleigh, NC

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