In response to many calls to PSDS for info,
here are answers to some

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How many people attend the twice-per-month dances?
The attendance, depending on the time of year, is in the area of 100 to 200, which is more than it had been and is attributable to the surge of interest with the college and even high school aged dancers.

What is the predominant age group at the dances?
It varies, and is difficult to say exactly, but if there are 150 people in attendance, 2/3 appear to be under 30 or early 30s. There are even some persons under 20, quite a few in their 30s and 40s and a dozen or two in their 50s and 60s. On certain nights the crowd seems older than average and on others younger.

Is previous swing dance experience necessary?
No. Every dance has new dancers who are winging it. One of the main dances, jitterbug, is simple to learn and is doable -- however tentatively -- the first night. Another, lindy is more difficult. It is fresh in the minds of most experienced dancers (4 dances or more?) that they were once beginners themselves,and they are generally helpful and good-natured toward newcomers. PSDS is geared to accomodate new dancers in its ranks with pre-dance beginners lessons and special workshops.

Is it smokey?
No, smoking is prohibited inside all PSDS functions.

Food?
The price of admission includes free non-alcoholic punch, and -- except for events at the Germantown Crickett Club where rules prohibit food --baked goods, hard pretzels and occasionally other snack foods.

Is it necessary to bring a partner to a PSDS dance?
No. Very few people arrive coupled at PSDS events. If PSDS is an indication, people do not prefer to dance with the same partner all night. It is very much the culture, even for people who arrive together, to dance with different folks.

How acceptable is it for a woman to ask a man if he would like to dance?
Quite. More than anywhere else that we are aware of, it is comfortable for a woman to do the asking at a PSDS event. Regardless of who does the asking and who the accepting, it's for one dance.

What is the best way for a woman to ask a man to dance?
"Would you like to dance?" Or, if appropriate, "Would you like to dance? I am a beginner". Don't worry, you'll get a "yes".

What are swing dances?
The fastest growing dance in the Philadelphia area is lindy (sometimes referred to as "8 count"), and it is a bit more involved than jitterbug (a/k/a east coast swing a/k/a 6-count). But any dance suitable for lindy is suitable for jitterbug.

Jitterbug (sometimes called "6 count" or East Coast Swing) is quite easy to pick up. For this reason, a person could have a good time the first time out. And, as mentioned, people are usually eager to help new dancers.

West coast swing which is done to slower songs and is quadruply more involved for a beginner than jitterbug. Lessons are recommended of course for everything, but for west coast swing some instruction is a must. Same for lindy. A beginning dancer would not be able to fake these very well. (But there is always jitterbug!). So "Yes, but I don't know west coast swing" or "Yes, but I don't know lindy" are appropriate warnings to someone asking your hand in dance.

Who teaches the lessons before the dances?
Dance instructors or sometimes just very experienced swing dancers.

How do people dress?
Informally, generally speaking. There is no dress code. Only a few people wear ties. Noone looks like they came from a wedding party. There aren't many dungarees. Other than that, perhaps not too dressed up and not too dressed down would describe it. But anything is fine.

Would I have to know somebody and if I wanted to volunteer in some capacity, how would I do it?
No, you would not have to know anyone. Volunteers are in short supply for the current activity level of PSDS, so volunteer inquiries are always welcome. Volunteers generally receive free admission to events.

Do the officers or board members of PSDS earn any compensation for their efforts?
No, top to bottom, PSDS is an all-volunteer non-profit organization. Amazing, huh? The bands are paid and the halls are rented but the people who do the organizing and other work are not compensated.

How are the localities for the dances chosen?
The choices are limited by PSDS' s need to 1) accomodate a few hundred swing dancing people, the majority of whom are dancing nearly all of the time, 2) on a terrific wooden dance surface 3) at a central location and 4) at a rental which allows an average admission charge of $10 to $18 (minus the $3 discount for full-time students or substantial baked goods). The two favorites, the Commodore Barry Club and the Germantown Crickett Club, are perfectly suited but on occasion are unavailable and alternative sites are sought.

When and how did PSDS begin?
A group of 7 (the Magnificent Seven) returned from the Washington D.C. Swing Dance Council's Annual Savoy Swings Again weekend and decided that swing dancing was a must-do for Philadelphia. The first "dances" were held in individuals' homes before the first "real dance" with live music was held in November, 1987.

If you have a question not addressed above, do not hesitate to e-mail or call the
information numbers on the main page of the Philadelphia Swing Dance Society .