Dancing in Rhode Island

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There's a lot of dancing in Rhode Island, but don't forget that you're not that far from venues in southern Massachusetts or eastern Connecticut. Venues in and around Boston itself are only about an hour away.

Editor's Note: I don't get down to Rhode Island much so I don't have much personal experience with these dance venues. I depend on the kindness of local dancers to keep me informed of local activity. If you find that some of this information needs to be updated or if you would like to make an addition to this webpage, please write to me at dancenet@havetodance.com.

Note that venues come and go, and usually people aren't very good about letting me know that their venue closed or changed their mind, so always call ahead!

If you teach classes, hold workshops, play in a band, or hold dances, please read the list of frequently asked questions before you ask to have your information listed here.

Swinging' 88's

Brightridge Club, Brightridge Avenue, East Providence. For more information, write to Stacy McArdle at Swingin88s@yahoo.com or call 508-222-2185. swing

Newport Ballroom Dancing
Non-profit group carrying on the efforts of Skip Jones to promote social dancing and offers ballroom dances and cruises in and out of Rhode Island. For more information, contact Lindy at 401-849-5232.

Brown University's Swing Club
For more information, contact swing@brown.edu.

Brown University Ballroom Dance Club
For more information, contact bbdc@brown.edu.

RI Chapter of USA Dance
The title says it all. ballroom

University of Rhode Island Ballroom Dance Club

Help!
Sometimes I'll see a favorite dance band play at a non-standard venue and I sometimes wonder if these venues are conducive for dancing, i.e., do they have a dance floor? Some of the venues and some of the bands aren't very helpful in providing that information, particularly if it discourages people from showing up. I don't get a chance to check out most of these venues so please help me provide better information to my readers by letting me know which venues are suitable for dancing. Thanks!

Rhode Island College Ballroom Dance Club
Providence.

USABDA of New London County
The New London County chapter of the US Amateur Ballroom Dancers Association serving the New London county, just across the border. Regular dances are held at the East Lyme Community Center in East Lyme.

Swinging' 88's

Brightridge Club, Brightridge Avenue, East Providence.
Swing dances on the last Saturday of each month from 7 pm to midnight, that are air-conditioned, smoke-free and have plenty of parking. For more information, contact swingin88s@yahoo.com at 508-222-2185. swing

General Information

Rhode Island Dance
riDance is dedicated to all things dance in the Ocean State.

East Coast Swing, Lindy Hop, Charleston, Balboa

There's also information on tango in Rhode Island.

HepCats

First Congregational Church, 34 Center Street in Fairhaven, MA (just over the border)
Swing dance on the second Saturday of the month at the from 7:30 to 11:00 pm. All ages welcome; no partner necessary; smoke-free. For more information, call 401-921-1898 or write to HepCats. swing

TwirlTheGirlUSA
North Providence
West Coast Swing dancing every Wednesday from 9:15 pm to 11:00pm; Occasional Saturday dances and workshops with visiting teachers. Air-conditioned and friendly. For more information, contact Jennifer Lyons at 401-447-7015.

Sal's Productions
The German Club, 78 Carter Avenue, Pawtucket.
For more information, contact Joe Giocastro at 401-467-9856.

Bread and Butter Jam

Providence Tango Studio, 99 S. Bend Street, Pawtucket.
Dance and/or practice to recorded music every Thursdays from 8:15 to 11:30 pm. Basic lindy hop class before the dancing from 7:00 to 8:00 pm; additional lesson at 9:30. Also, bimonthly dance.

The Cape Verdean Club
329 Grosvenor Avenue, East Providence. 401-434-9612.
Live music every Wednesday from 7:00 pm to 11:00 pm. Lesson included. For more information, contact Rick Orcutt.

K & S Music
Knights of Columbus Hall, 1047 Park Avenue, Cranston, RI.
Ballroom dances on various Saturdays from 8:00 pm to midnight with a lesson at the beginning of the evening (7:00-8:00 pm). Complementary coffee, tea, pizza, & pastries. No smoking; couples & singles welcome. Music by dj's Bryan and Kathy Soscia. For more information, contact mailto:kandsmusic@verizon.net.

Norm & Dette's Dance Socials
Dillon Knights of Columbus Hall, 1675 Douglas Avenue, North Providence.
Ballroom dances once a month from 8:00 to 11:30 pm. For more information, contact NormDetteDance@wmconnect.com at 401-767-1765.

Kathy & Randy's Ballroom Dances
The Dillon Council, 1675 Douglas Avenue, North Providence.
Dance lesson before each dance, 7:15-8:00 pm. Dancing from 8:00 to 11:30 pm. For more information, call 401-463-1815 or write to ksj111@verizon.net.

Ballroom & Latin Dancing with Nelia Lawton
East Bay Democratic Club, 86 Roffee Street, Barrington.
Month ballroom dances on a Friday night. 7:30 (lesson at 7:30). For more information, contact Nelia Lawton at 401-245-1119.

Chans Egg Rolls and Jazz
267 Main Street, Woonsocket. 401-765-1900.

Hop To The Beat David Liberge is teaching Hip Hop classes at the Perishable Theatre (3rd flr), 93 Empire Street, Providence.	HepCats Sarah Sloane offers classes in Providence and Narragansett in Swing, Lindy, Salsa and Argentine Tango. Additional classes are held in Fairhaven, MA (southern MA). For more information, contact Sarah at 401-921-1898.
TwirlTheGirlUSA-Jennifer Lyons and Sara Coelho North Providence and West Warwick. Beginner friendly group classes every Monday in Latin and Ballroom & Country, with West Coast Swing lessons and dance on Wednesdays from 7:00 to 11:00 pm at 15 Bassett Street in North Providence. For more information, including private lessons and gift certificates, contact Jennifer Lyons at 401-447-7015.	Suzie-Q Swing Productions Susan Carr teaches swing and lindy hop at various locations in Rhode Island and Connecticut. For more information, write to Susan at SuzieQSwing@aol.com or call 401-348-0961.
Providence Swings At the Providence Tango Studio, 99 S. Bend Street, Pawtucket. Classes in East Caost Swing, Lindy Hop and Charleston. For more information, contact Providence Swings at 401-365-7700.	Zazou Swing Todd and Beth both teach and perform in the Providence and Boston area specializing in the Swing Dance Family - Lindy Hop, East Coast Swing, and Balboa.
Kathy St. Jean at the Dancin' Feelin' Studio, Warwick, RI. She teaches Ballroom (American and International) as well as Swing & Hustle. Member of the ISTD, DTCB, and DEA, with a dance degree. Runs ballroom dances in Rhode Island and organizes dance events. For more information, call Kathy St. Jean 401-463-1815 write to ksj111@verizon.net.	Jeff Allen Jeff is based in Providence teaching both on the North End and the East Side. For more information, contact Jeff Allen at 401-331-1400. New classes in Swing and Salsa begin regularly on the East Side, Monday nights, at the Central Congregational Church 296 Angel Street Providence, RI. Private lessons are taught 7 days and 5 weekday evenings in Salsa, East & West Coast Swing, Tango, Hustle, and all Latin dances. Wedding preparation is a specialty.
Dancin' Feelin' Studio 272 Pettaconsett Avenue, Warwick, RI 02888-3249 with Randy Deats. 401-461-0110. Classes change each month so check the website regularly.	Ballroom & Latin Dancing with Nelia Lawton East Bay Democratic Club, 86 Roffee Street, Barrington. For more information, contact Nelia Lawton at 401-245-1119.
The Providence Theatrical Ballroom and Jazz Project At the Providence Ballet. Offers theatrical productions and dance instruction at the Providence Ballet, 107 Eddy Street (at the corner with Westminster Street above the Downcity Diner), Providence. Classes offered in tango, ballet, tap, swing, latin, jazz, and ballroom. For more information, contact Nelia Lawton at 401-245-1119 or write to DanceNelia@aol.com.	Bobbi's Place Social Ballroom Dance Studio The Mansi Building, 14 Cedar Swamp Road, Smithfield. Private and group lessons in American Ballroom, Rhythm & Swing. Wedding dance preparations and Friday practice parties scheduled. For more information, contact Bobbi Wood at 401-949-2814.
Rhode Island Dancesport 461 Main Street (2nd flr), East Greenwich. For more information, contact info@ridancesport.com at 401-529-1690. Occasional Friday dances, monthly tango milongas, Saturday Master Classes and workshops with visiting coaches.	East Bay Ballroom Vasco Da Gama, 15 Fenner Avenue, Newport. For more information, contact Sara Coelho at 401-849-5678.
Arthur Murray Dance Studios 1478 Atwood Avenue, Johnston, RI 02919. 401-274-8840.	Westerly Community Education & Enrichment Social dance classes available.
Always On Sunday Ballroom Dance Studio Oaklawn Grange, 42 Wheelock Avenue, Cranston. For more information, contact Linda at 401-826-6005	Sydonee Dance Productions Providence area. Classes in Salsa and wedding preparation (ballroom, latin, swing). For more information, contact Sydonee at 401-965-6380.
Stardust Dance Lessons Portsmouth. Beginning ballroom dance instruction. Private, group, and in-home lessons. Foxtrot, waltz, swing, rumba, cha-cha, and tango (American). Contact Fred "Rick" Zilian at 401.714.4667.

Last updated April 25, 2008.
For additions or corrections, write to dancenet@havetodance.com.

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