ABOUT US
Welcome to Edinburgh Swing Dance Society!
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​The Edinburgh Swing Dance Society (ESDS) is an informal society of dancers. Our purpose is to provide regular swing dance classes, social opportunities and events featuring professional swing dance teachers within Edinburgh. We pride ourselves on our warm and welcoming atmosphere where all dancers are encouraged to share their experience, knowledge, and passion for swing dance, music, and jazz culture!
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ESDS was formed in 1996 by local dancers Rhona and Niall Davies working together with Russell Sargeant and Carolene Hinds, leading members of The Jiving Lindy Hoppers, making us the oldest swing dance organisation in Scotland. We established our first formal Constitution & Committee in 2017.
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We're a not-for-profit organisation bound by our constitution with all income generated being used to support the purposes of ESDS or charitable bodies as nominated by the committee (usually the Frankie Manning Foundation or the LifeCare Centre).
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We remain grateful to and wholly reliant on the work of the many volunteers who have contributed over the years.​
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Our Committee​​
​Our Values
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​1. Community: We nurture social connection. We collaborate with local and international jazz and dance scenes. Jazz musicians are a core part of our community, and we support them by providing regular opportunities to dance to live music.
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2. History: We acknowledge the Black American roots of swing dance, and seek to understand its history and its progression from those roots to the present day.
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3. Fun: We create a joyful, relaxed, creative atmosphere.
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4. Inclusion: We build a community where everyone feels valued and included. We welcome dancers at all levels of ability, and from diverse geographic, ethnic, socio-economic, age, and LGBTQ+ backgrounds.
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5. Safety: We prioritise the physical and emotional well-being of our members. Our spaces are designed to be respectful, supportive, and free from harm.
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6. Integrity: We are transparent, honest and fair in all society activities.
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7. Communication: We communicate and teach in ways that are clear, concise, easy to discover and easy to understand.
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8. Sustainability: We consider the impact of our actions on the environment, our neighbours, and the future of our society.
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9. Improvisation and innovation: We are curious and adaptive. We continuously improve our society by discovering and inventing new ways to dance and to organise.
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10. Volunteering: Our society is run entirely by volunteers on a non-profit basis.
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What's the average age here? Am I too old / young?
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Our dancers range from their mid 20s to their 80s, will all ages regularly dancing with each other. No matter what your stage in life, you are welcome at ESDS.