A-Train is Swingland's weekly Thursday night swing dance and music club at The Hammersmith Club, with swing dance classes for beginners through to intermediates, followed by freestyle dancing.
Summary - follow the tabs below for full details
Classes - from 7.30pm
Music and dancing - from 9pm
Venue - The Hammersmith Club, 11 Rutland Grove, Hammersmith, London W6 9DH
Prices - from £5 on the door
Dates - every Thursday
"The best venue in Central/West London!" - PR
"Forget that Friday feeling....Thursday is the best night of the week!" - JW
What to expect at A-Train
The Hammersmith Club is a real gem of a venue - a recently-renovated period dance hall with a great dance floor and plenty of original features!
A typical night at A-Train attracts around 50 people from all walks of life, and all age ranges (18+).
Come with friends, a partner or on your own - everyone is welcome and you'll soon feel at home!
The bar in the dance hall is open for drinks and snacks (crisps etc.) throughout the evening.
Who goes to A-Train?
All levels of swing dancing experience are represented - from complete beginners to intermediates in the classes - and experienced dancers who come along after the classes to enjoy the social dancing. There are plenty of beginners and improvers, and every week new people come along to learn for the first time.
Classes at A-Train
The evening at A-Train kicks off with swing dance (Lindy hop) classes.
Join any time. No need to book (just turn up). No partner needed.
See also What to wear.
- Beginners
- Intermediates
7.30pm - beginners Lindy hop class + practice
Learn all the basics with simple fun routines aimed at getting you dancing quickly - with plenty of emphasis on good lead/follow technique and connection as with all our classes! No experience required. Absolute beginners always welcome!
8.30pm - beginners follow-up/q&a
During the intermediates class there is a revision session for beginners (upstairs on the balcony). This is a chance to go over anything you found tricky, ask questions and consolidate the material you've learnt.
8.30pm - intermediates Lindy hop class
Move your dancing to the next level! Expect lots on technique and style as well as steps. You need to have a reasonably good grasp of all the steps regularly taught in the beginners class to take intermediates. So 6-count, some 8-count basics plus basic knowledge of partnered Charleston steps is assumed. At the beginning of the class we will ask everyone to do a selection of basic steps - if you don't feel confident with these you should take the beginners follow-up class instead.
Class rotation
We rotate partners regularly in the classes so you don't need to bring a partner and you get a chance to dance with everyone. This is the best way to learn and it's a great way to meet people too! Because of the numbers at A-Train it is not practical for couples to stay together - please join in the rotation, you will learn much quicker!
Your teachers
The classes at A-Train are taught by Martin Ellis and Emily Duncombe. The follow-up Beginners class is taught by Sean Hall.
Music and dancing at A-Train
After the classes we have dancing til late!
From 9pm it's freestyle time - try out the moves you've learnt, or sit down, have a drink from the bar and watch what's going on. Resident DJ Martin & guests play "the best swing music in town" and are happy to take requests too.
Live music
Occasionally we’ll have a live band and these nights always bring out the best swing dancers, so don’t miss 'em!
For live music dates please see Dates.
How to get to A-Train
A-Train is held at The Hammersmith Club - a stunning period dance hall in the heart of West London.
The Hammersmith Club is located one street back from the Riverside next to Hammersmith Bridge. The waterfront stretches from Hammersmith Bridge to Chiswick Eyot.
Website www.hammersmithclub.co.uk/
The Hammersmith Club is at 11 Rutland Grove, Hammersmith, London W6 9DH.
By tube - Piccadilly, District or Hammermsith & City Lines to Hammersmith, 5-10 minutes walk. Walk up Blacks Road towards Hammersmith Bridge. Rutland Grove is the last turning on the right before the bridge. Alternatively walk up King Street and turn left opposite Primark then continue straight (Bridge Ave then Bridgeview) until you reach Rutland Grove.
By bus - any bus over Hammersmith Bridge - there is a stop right at the end of Rutland Grove.
By car - Just off the A4, Hammersmith is easily accessible by car from all directions. There is parking outside the venue in Rutland Grove, and in local streets - free after 6.30pm.
Useful links
London Underground & Buses
AA Route Planner
Parkopedia
Admission to A-Train (pay on the door)
Doors and bar open from 7pm and the first class kicks off at 7.30pm.
- Full price - £10
- Concessions - £8
- Special rate - £5
Standard admission includes any (or all) of the classes and the dancing afterwards.
Save money! Buy 5 nights for £40 - see class vouchers.
SPECIAL OFFER MAY 2012 - take the beginners class only for just £6! No need to book - just turn up any week and pay on the door!
Available to NUS/Equity members - please show your ID on the door.
For dancing only - after 9pm.
Please note that on live music nights there is no special rate for just dancing - you pay the normal admission prices above, or on very special occasions, the price advertised on flyers for the event.
Last admission is 10pm.
A-Train - Dates
Shown below are dates for the next month - for dates after that, please see our calendar.
17 May, 31 May, 7 Jun, 14 Jun - A-Train @ The Hammersmith Club
7.30pm - 9.00pm Beginners classes
8.30pm - 9.00pm Intermediates class
9.00pm - 11.00pm Dancing
24 May - No A-Train tonight - see Saturday!
26 May - Bring on the Sunshine! A swingin' Summer party!
