Calling all lindy hoppers, balboa-heads, Charleston nuts, and shag enthusiasts! Come on out to Portland's longest-running swing dance, bringing you fantastic live jazz music on Norse Hall's magnificent floor.

The Minidoka Swing Band remembers the Japanese Americans who were interned behind barbed wire during WWII with big band sounds from the 1930’s, 1940’s and beyond. The band’s name comes from the Minidoka Internment Camp near Twin Falls, Idaho, one of ten major camps where Japanese Americans from Portland and Washington State were imprisoned by the U.S. government without due process. To give a sense of normalcy to the lives of the teenagers and young adults, the camps often held Saturday night dances to make the best of a horrific situation.
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Our Foundations Lesson is an hour-long beginner lesson from 6:45PM-7:45PM (and is included with the dance cover!). ​The lesson is great for folks who are new to dancing, curious about dancing, or just love dancing! ​Topics will lean more towards Lindy Hop or Charleston depending on the band playing each Thursday night. ​We hope to see you there before the dance starts at 8pm and we kick off another fun night!

Cover $20 | All Ages
Beginning swing dance lesson included in dance cover

*Schedule*
6:30 Doors open
6:45 - 7:45 Beginning swing dance lesson w/ Katie and Tristan
8 - 9 Minidoka Swing Band
9 - 9:30 DJ Break w/ Breck
9:30 - 10:30 Minidoka Swing Band

The downstairs bar and lounge will be open. You may bring your drinks upstairs into the ballroom.

If you have accessibility concerns, please contact PLS.