Vintage dances of the 20th Century and more.
From Ragtime to Rock & Roll
-
Swing
-
Collegiate Shag
-
Original Big Apple
-
Lindy Hop
-
And More....
Swing Collegiate Shag Original Big Apple
Founders & hosts of Swing Dance Wednesday Night, the Twin Cities' longest running weekly swing dance night featuring great live music.
Events - Miss Shannon's Sock Hop
.jpg)
Miss Shannon's Shannon's Sat Sock Hop
Miss Shannon's Sock Hops are events with the best local and national swing, rockabilly, western swing, and jazz bands. The Sock Hop originated at the iconic Lee's Liquor Lounge in the early 2000s, and are currently held every 4th Friday of the month at the Eagles #34 in Minneapolis.
Miss Shannon's Sock Hop is also the name of our interactive performance where we'll take you on a historic tour through the Golden Age of social dancing in the United States. From the rare and unusual to the iconic dances from the Ragtime, Jazz, Swing and early Rock & Roll Eras dances, our show is family friendly and is designed to add an educational or an interactive component upon request. Contact us for rates and booking.
You may find our group performing at the Minnesota State Fair on the Cosgrove Stage, and the State Fair's Kickoff to Summer.
Our next public performance is at the Minnesota State Fair's Kickoff To Summer May 2024.
Visit our Facebook Page for information on the next Miss Shannon's Sock Hop.
Vintage Dance Series
April 20
.jpg)
Join us at the Eagles #34 for a 4-hour Mini-Workshop featuring 2 popular dances from the 1930s swing era:
Collegiate Shag and Original Big Apple
1:00 pm Collegiate Shag Introduction
Collegiate Shag is a swing era dance which reached peak popularity in the late 1930s and dance from the East Coast through the Midwest and beyond. We'll cover a classic 1930s styling popular in the New York to Midwest area (which included the Twin Cities). This dance is commonly done to mid to up-tempo swing music. Comfortable shoes are recommended. No pre-requisite, partner, or dance experience necessary. All are welcome. $15 at the door, or pre-register at Swing Dance Wednesday Night.
2:30 Original Big Apple - Introduction pt1
3:45 Original Big Apple - Introduction pt 2
The Big Apple was the biggest swing dance craze from 1937-1938. This social dance was done in a circle and the moves were called. Dance historian Lance Benishek researched and documented over 400 calls/moves. With his passing in 2020, some of these moves are likely lost. This 2-part course will cover core moves, flow and putting moves together. The Big Apple classes are designed as a pair, with the 3:45 class being a continuation, building on the material from the 2:45 class.
$15 per class
$45 for mini-workshop
No partner or prior dance experience needed.
Miss Shannon's Sock Hop with
Southside Aces
.jpg)
Join us for a night of live music and dancing to the Southside Aces
Arrive early for our Miss Shannon's Sock Hop "Elective series" - A pre-event specialty Dance Lesson. We'll teach a style of dance which is different from our 7pm lesson.
This Month's Collegiate Shag $10
Main Dance $10
7pm Dance Lesson
8pm Southside Aces
DJ Miss Shannon during the band breaks
The Venue: Eagles 34 2507 E 25th St, Mpls
The Eagles #34 has a large, newly refinished dance floor, free on and off street parking, lots of seating, full bar, dining available until 9pm, and some of the most welcoming dancers and music fans to hang out with.
To our friends and followers, thank you for supporting live music, and the venues which support live entertainment... it couldn't be a party without you
Visit our Facebook Page for more information
Fridays Swing At the Eagles
Join us April 19th for Swingin' on a Star at Fridays Swing at the Eagles #34. Our friends Eileen and Terry, who have been such a big part of our local dance communities for many years are moving to warmer weather and this event is also their swing dance going away party. We hope you join us to wish them well on their new adventure, and send our fellow dancers off swingin' in style!
7pm Dance Lesson with Shannon Butler
8pm Swingin' on a Star
$10 at the door includes the dance lesson
Terry & Eileen's send-off goes until the last note
Vintage Dance Taster Series- Heel Shag & Collegiate Shag
Join us Saturday, April 6th for Vintage Dance Series with an introduction to a rare and also fun vintage dance Heel Shag and an Introduction to Collegiate Shag.
Heel Shag: 2pm
Collegiate Shag: 3:30
About the Heel-Shag:
Little is know of the origin of Heel-Shag. Research indicated the dance was done in the 1930s, and nearly forgotten until dance historian Lance Benishek began teaching the dance in the early 1990s. Shannon Butler taught and performed with Lance for over 20 years, she has been dancing and teaching heel shag since the mid 1990s. Together Shannon & Bill have taught Heel-Shag, across the US and abroad and have added many steps and shapes to the dance. They are delighted for the opportunity to share this fun, low impact, and versatile dance to the local community.
No partner or pre-requisite needed. $15
Collegiate Shag:
The dynamic swing dance Collegiate Shag reached its peak in the 1930s. It was danced in New York, in the Northern East Coast, and across the Midwest. Shannon's grandparents, both from the Twin Cities area. were Shag dancers. Shannon also trained and taught with Lance Benishek in Collegiate Shag, (and a variety of shag styles, and other vintage dances). Shannon & Bill have taught shag nationally and overseas are are excited to teach this dance in their hometown.
No partner or pre-requisite needed. $15
For event information or updates visit our Facebook Event
Dance Lesson at Big Sandy & His Fly-Rite Boys with Kinda Fonda Wanda
Join us at the Hook & Ladder for an evening of music and dancing Under the Canopy. We'll start the fun with a dance lesson at 6pm followed by live music with Kinda Fonda Wanda and Rockabilly Hall of Fame band Big Sandy & His Fly-Rite Boys.
Dance Lesson with Shannon & Bill at 6pm is included with your ticket.
Tickets on sale now
21+
Rain or shine
For more information, or to purchase tickets visit the Hook & Ladder website
To visit the Facebook Event page click here.
Miss Shannon's Sock Hop at the Kickoff to Summer at the Fair
Join us Memorial Day Weekend at Kickoff to Summer at The Fair. Bill & I along with the Miss Shannon's Sock Hop dancers will take you on a family-friendly interactive tour through the golden age of social dancing in the US, beginning with the Ragtime era and continuing through the Rock & Roll era. We'll be dancing in 2 shows on the Christensen Farms Stage on Judson Ave. Show is included in the Kickoff To Summer ticket.
Click to visit the Miss Shannon's Sock Hop at Kickoff to Summer at The Fair Facebook event
For more information or to purchase tickets , click here to visit the Kickoff to Summer at The Fair website.
.jpg)