Lindy in the Park

LOF and nice to people ;) It is a must for any Lindy Hopper and a great alternative to a lazy Sunday. Also, the park is awesome.

An excellent outdoors swing dancing venue that occurs weekly (weather permitting). Finding it is easy: upon entering the Golden Gate park from Fulton around the 10^th Ave, just listen for the music.
Logistics:
— free parking in the neighborhood (8^th-​9^th-​10^th-​11^th Ave with the entrance from Fulton) is possible but hard to find. Be prepared to park somewhere closer to the Clement St. and walk many long (but nice) SF blocks to the park; I have found my spot at 11^th and Clement. Note that the parking meters are off on Sundays; budget at least 15 minutes for free parking. For the spare-​no-​expense types, there is a parking garage for the de Young museum right under the dancing place (entrance from Fulton St. at 10^th Ave) that charges about $ 5 per hour;
— the sidewalk surface is as bad for dancing as it gets, so leave your dance shoes at home and be nice to your (and your partner’s) knees;
— there is no nearby water fountain, so bring your own water bottle or buy one at a snack stand 30 yards away;
— the nearest restroom is inside the de Young museum (a 1 minute walk);
— the shade provided by the trees is not adequate, so sunscreen is highly recommended on the sunny days;
— the dance party starts at 11AM and goes to approximately 2:15PM (six «last» dances being announced after 2PM). The free dance lessons start at 12PM, but the dance party keeps going on simultaneously.
The crowd grows as the time goes on, and by the end it is about a hundred people, greatly varying by age, plus a lot of onlookers. The skills are also anywhere between absolute beginners and very advanced. For the leads: inviting an onlooker to dance is an interesting test of your leading abilities.
The excitement of dancing outdoors is coupled with the free entertainment provided by the quirky world of the Golden Gate park itself. On the day I have visited, a long procession of Krishnaites was passing by while we were dancing to the Indian-​themed swing tune (sorry, forgot the title).

A wonderful, low stress environment to go and dance with new faces.

My dad came up to visit me for Father’s Day, and the Cal Academy was too expensive so we went wandering through the park. My dad said, «Do you hear that? It sounds like swing music!» and excitedly rushed off. We turn a corner to find a huge group of people dancing and we jumped right in. I could not think of a better way to spend Father’s Day than to dance with my dad. I can’t wait to come back!

Happiness in the park every Sunday. How could you not enjoy this?
Do you know anything about Lindy Hopping? You don’t have to. Free lessons at noon and then the party just continues from there.
Even if you don’t dance, you’ll be drawn in by all the happy music and energy.
This is one of the best reasons to visit Golden Gate Park on a Sunday.

Rock, step… rock-​step. Again, rock, step, rock-​step.
I met up with fellow Unilocaler Cathy K. for some twists and turns on the asphalt at this free Sunday event. Just follow the faint sounds of swing tunes behind the DeYoung Museum to see if your inner Astaire or Rogers wants to shine.
In a free 30 minute lesson which starts at 12 noon, my newbie self joined the crowd to learn the basic steps to one of the dances then tested our moves on each other. Instructors were friendly, articulate and happy to share their secrets to make dancing easier. No partners required. Two dancers greet each other, dance a minute or two, thank each other and move on. It’s a fun, lighthearted and civilized way to meet people who’d otherwise would be strangers. Dancing in public took me back to my college days when I took a ballroom dance and the act of greeting and thanking your partner harkens to a long forgotten ritual of good manners.
The crowd is diverse from locals who come weekly to passersby to visitors from around the globe. I hear they put on a special diddy for distant travelers and upcoming birthdays.
Wear comfy shoes, bring some water and get ready to cut a rug. It is a good as it gets.
FYI: Next week is the 16^th anniversary of Lindy in the Park! Potluck and tunes ensue.

It’s free! Lesson and dance to DJ musics. Outdoor concrete floor. Check the weather first and be ready for the temperature. Bring your own water.

What better way to enjoy a Sunday afternoon than some dancing in a beautiful park?
Dancing begins at 11 AM with a beginners lesson at noon for a half an hour. Did I mention the lessons are free? Oh baby! Dancing continues for those who are more experienced and ends around 2 PM.
Are you new, having a birthday or celebrating something special? That be sure to get in on the «jam» around 1 PM. There you will dance with everyone surrounding you as partners butt in to get the pleasure and joy of being your dancing partner. Its very fun, welcoming and makes you feel a little popular with so many people battling to dance with you :) After is always a quick jazz step lesson that lasts about 10 min and then those who want to perform in a line dance that varies. It seems the most popular ones are the shim sham and the jitterbug stroll. Don’t worry you can pick it up there or watch videos online. They also sometimes do special workshops later on Sundays (for a small cost) to teach special routines. But the 11 – 2 session is always free and always on rain or shine (unless it’s too wet for the equipment, which is rare). Check the website which is update if it’s been rained out or not.
Come on out and dance!

I’ve been meaning to come here, but just couldn’t get my lazy butt up. I am sooo glad I set my alarm today so that I could make it to this! The instructors break things down so that if you’re a beginner or need a refresher, you’re prepared. Dancing begins at around 11am… goes until 2pm (roughly…they go a lil overtime which just means more dancing=D); With a free beginners lesson at 12! All happening at GGP right on this «bridge» (or at least, that’s what I’m calling it…)
Everyone that attended today was very friendly so that’s a definite plus as well (hopefully…it wasn’t just luck… n people usually are that friendly…)
So glad I came and I can’t wait to go to more! Reviving my sporadic swing dancing past!

When I lived in the Bay Area, I went to Lindy in the Park (LITP) religously on Sundays between 1999 and 2001. I even thought of it as church.
I went back yesterday for the first time in at least 7 years and while there had been some changes, the over-​all joy of the event still remains. The weather was cool and many people stayed home because there was some rain in the bay area, but not at Golden Gate Park. However they still did the usual format. Free Lesson from 12 to 12:30. Ken and Hep Jen covered a lot of material starting with triple steps. While I was only watching, I thought that they were doing a great job explaining the moves.
As a note, LITP has now set it up so those who want to take the lesson take one side of the area and the instructor mikes are only really audible on that side, Music continues to play so others can continue to dance.
Also, there is a Jazz move taught at about 1. Literally, they play one song and teach one move. Neither of these lessons were being offered when I was able to attend regularly and I have to consider it an improvement to the expereince over-​all.
LITP is in my opinion one of the highlights of the San Francisco swing (Lindy) scene and any one who has an interest in Swing Dancing should go check it out.

If only it didn’t rain sometimes. What else can I say? I mean… Free swing dancing with free beginner lesson at noon. How cool is that? I’m going to answer that: Very cool! The music is great, the atmosphere is great. It’s located just blocks away from great food. It’s in the dab middle of the park. Ok, maybe not the middle, but it’s easy to spot, just look behind the De Young Museum. The music is great, they take requests too.
It’s in the open air which is great for fresh air. People can come and go as they please. People walking along the park can join in or watch.
The only bad thing that can be said about this place only applies to those with bad knees. It is on concrete and there is much friction between the feet and the floor. So If you have bad knees or ankles, take it easy.
However, because of the friction, it is also a great work out. First time I danced here, I danced about as much as I do anywhere else, and I was sore afterwards.
Awesome place to dance.

Boo :(Why don’t we have something like this in Los Angeles? We have the Derby and the Dresden Room in Los Feliz for God’s sake! Featured settings in the movie Swingers. This has got to be one of the coolest events I’ve ever seen a city park feature.

LitP has been running since 1996 and is the longest running swing dance venue in San Francisco.
This event happens most Sundays (as long as it doesn’t rain) in Golden Gate Park on JFK Drive, next to the De Young Museum.
It’s a great place to pick up a few (dance) moves from their *free* swing dance lesson — Noon to 12.30p — and you don’t have to worry about dragging someone against their will to this lesson. Just show up and meet a lot of other nice folks as you rotate partners. Their is also a DJ dance alongside from 11am to 2pm. More of the advanced dancers tend to show up around 12.30p.
A great people watching place too. There is even a hot dog stand nearby with refreshments in case you get hungry.
Check out their website for the latest details. No LitP on Bay to Breakers Day — May 16^th, 2010.
PS: A couple of the instructors from LitP will be hosting a free swing dance lesson at the Inner Sunset Street Fair on Saturday, May 15^th, 2010:

This was my 3^rd time going to this event today. I dance elsewhere on occasion. I brought a new friend who really wanted to learn lindy hop, so we drove in from the East Bay.
We got stuck in traffic so she missed the free lesson at noon, but she tried what she could and kept smiling. I had a real good time, and although the sun felt a bit too hot for fast swing dancing, it was the most fun I’ve had in awhile. It was a great stress buster for me!

I jumped into the jam circle, which was cool to do. I am moving next weekend, so I wanted to join in. Thank you Ken & Jen for dancing with me! You guys rock. Later on, another friend and I happened upon some of the dancers at a local coffee shop, and I got to chat with Ken, the founder of LitP, as well as a super friendly women, who turns out to be a pro too. I almost wish I wasn’t leaving SF, cause these people are truly friendly and make me realise that I have to get out more and have fun dancing! Thank you San Francisco swing dancers!

I have been here twice. The first time I came here was with a friend. It was a sunny summer day. It was a lot of fun.
I believe it is 11am — 2pm. From 12pm-12.30pm there are free dance lessons. Afterward, there is music and you can just dance. I thoroughly enjoyed it and the people there are really friendly. Some old guy with a camera asked to take my picture.
O yea its free! They are here every Sunday unless it is raining.
There tends to be a lot of old guys.

Only 18 reviews? Wow. Lindy is the Park is seriously a hidden gem, and I can’t believe more people haven’t discovered how awesome this FREE, FUN dance party in the park is.
Here’s the low-​down. Aite, here we goes:
WHAT: It’s FREE swing-​dancing every Sunday in Golden Gate Park, from 11:00am — 2:00pm. There’s a free lesson from 12 – 12:30pm. The group’s there every Sunday, except when it’s pouring rain.
WHERE: Enter at 10^th and Fulton; you’ll find the group of swing dancers by the bridge area by the DeYoung Museum.
AWESOME:
+ Well, first off, it’s FREE. Absolutely FREE. And if you’re a beginner, which I am, they have that free lesson, which teaches you all the basic steps so you can dance around and look like you kinda know what you’re doing.
+ It’s really FUN! Everyone is so friendly! During the lesson, you go into a large circle with your partner, and for each new move, you switch partners, so you end up dancing with lots of new partners and it’s interesting/​fun to feel everyone’s different styles. The best part is everyone is really friendly and just out there to have some fun.
+ Did I already say it’s really fun? I think there are few things in life that give you so much happiness and fun in the moment, and dance is one of them! And swing dancing is so incredibly cute and cool and fun.
+ It’s great for both beginners or advanced. There’s always people there who are willing to show you new moves or dance with you. I came with a friend of me, and we danced for most of the time, but then I went and danced with other random strangers too, which was also really fun and educational because they taught me new stuff even though I was a silly-​looking noob at times. But yeah, it’s really great.
I go running in Golden Gate Park pretty often, and I used to always pass by this cute little group of swingers (it’s a GREAT spot to people-​watch; you will be hard-​pressed to find a more visibly happy and lighthearted group of folks than the random assortment of swingers here) and I used to think, «Oh, how cute! How very cute!»
But now. I’m one of them too! I’m glad I finally joined in on the fun. I’m happy I decided to join the party instead of just watching on the sidelines. A very humongous heartfelt spanks to my dear friend for introducing me to swing and being my dance partner in crime.

idk why there aren’t more reviews because this swing venue is awesome! This is were I learned to dance… thanks to their free swing lesson (tailored for everyone) and the friendly, funky regulars. There’s always new people checking this out too because on Sunday, you get bikers, skaters and runners stopping to clap and watch us cut a rug!
If you haven’t checked this out, you need to go… and if you’re a little hesitant or don’t know how to dance-​what a better place to learn?! I mean it’s free… come on!

This is great activity to spend your Sunday and it’s FREE! I have come here twice and both times I had so much fun, which is why I decided to take swing dancing lessons.
Everyone I danced with is very patient and nice. Also it’s great to people watch as well. Parking can be bit of hassle. I usually try to come earlier before 12 pm and snag a free parking spot since they close down the streets within the park to car traffic.

Who knew flailing around like an idiot could be so much fun?
I’ve taken four of the free beginner classes so far, and I still feel like a schmuck, but a schmuck who’s having a good time! The lessons are really straightforward, and if it wasn’t for my two left feet I’d be tearin’ up the Verdi Club by now. Seriously though, this is the best I’ve ever been at any kind of dance, which is a true testament to how good the instructors are.
I usually grab a cub of coffee and head over to watch all the «pros» do their thing before the free lesson. Even if I’m in the foulest of moods, I end up walking home without a care in the world.
Everyone is super friendly, and even if you look surly and standoffish like me, SOMEONE will ask you to dance.
I would go so far as to say this is one of my favorite things of ALL TIME.

LitP is sooooo cool it almost makes me pee in my pants. ‘Cause who says all Black people can dance? Yes, I can boogie, do the funky chicken, the freak and the jerk. I can shimmy, electric slide and even Roger Rabbit. But after lo these many years and a handful of lessons, swing dancing still eludes me. And that’s where Lindy in the Park comes in. Free swing lessons, surrounded by so many people having fun in the sun that you can’t help but pick up the steps. Half an hour last Sunday and I was damn near doing the Charleston!
So here’s the deal. Every Sunday, from 11 to 2, this super cool crew sets up a sound system in the heart of Golden Gate Park, on JFK Drive by the DeYoung, just to spin for a big crowd of dance happy fools. And at 12:30 there’s a half-​hour lesson for newbies like me. One of those deals where they teach you a few steps and then you try them with your partner. They teach you a few more steps and you switch and then try them with a new partner. Round and round with laughing cool people who are very forgiving of folks who can boogie, but have two left feet when it comes to partner dance.
The lesson was taught by the appropriately named Hep Jen and LitP co-​founder Ken Watanabe. Every week they teach you a different little somethin’-somethin’. After the lesson they do a special dance for all the birthday folks and out-​of-​towners. Then it’s move to the groove and meet cool folks till you just can’t swing no more.
And did I mention that it’s all FREE?! No reason not to keep heading back. Heck, soon I’ll be an intermediate.