Dancing on a Dime

Sky diving. Celebrity stalking. Fine wine tasting. Cross-country camel riding.

What do all of these hobbies have in common? I can’t afford them. However, dutiful readers, did you happen to notice which activity DID NOT grace my oh-so-extensive list up there?

That’s right. It’s SWING DANCING. Yay!

Despite the sticker shock that can accompany buying a pair of dance shoes or attending an exchange, swing dancing can actually be a pretty inexpensive hobby. That is, if you know how to cut a few fiscal corners… while cuttin’ a rug.

I’ve compiled a few tips to minimize the cash involved in swing, so that you can focus all your attention on swingouts and swivels—not dollars and cents.

Make your own dance shoes.

Sure, you could go out and drop some dough on some Elvis-approved blue suede shoes. Or you could finagle some perfectly great shoes for slippin’ and slidin’ around the dance floor.

All you have to do is take a pair of comfy, broken-in shoes that you don’t mind repurposing for swing dancing. Then, head to your local drug store and mosey over to the foot care department. There you’ll find moleskin, a piece of material generally used on the inside of the shoe to cut down on blisters. Depending on how big your feet are, you might need to get a pack or two. (Don’t worry—they’re only a few dollars per pack).

Then, trace the outline of your shoe on the moleskin, cut it out, peel off the back and put the sticky side on the bottom. Voile! You have dance shoes.

Warning: The shoes might be a little too slippery at first, so if that’s the case, get the bottoms a little wet to cut down on the slippage. Injuries are definitely not cheap.

 

Volunteer at the dances

Most dances—like Monday Night Swing—have an option to volunteer at the dance, in exchange for free admission. Every dance might be a little different, but usually all you have to do is help set up or clean up, work the front desk/cash box or DJ. You still get to dance up a storm, but with more dollar bills in your pocket.

 

Be an early bird

Know of a swing dance exchange that you definitely want to attend? Sign up NOW! Most swing exchanges have early bird specials and incremental pricing based on how many people have signed up. The earlier you register, the more reasonable the exchange price will be.

The same goes for housing. Swing exchanges are pretty great about getting local dancers to offer up their couches and floors to dancers traveling there. This generous offer is usually on a first come, first serve basis so again, the earlier you hop on it, the better.

 

Do you have any additional strategies for keeping swing dancing an affordable pastime? Let us know in the comments!