Cat's Corner Swing is dedicated to being first and foremost a welcoming community for newcomers who have decided to try swing dancing.
We are also committed to being a second home for our regulars & experienced dancers who have made the commitment to learn vernacular jazz dances including Lindy Hop, Charleston, Balboa, and Collegiate Shag.
We aspire to work with local instructors, dancers, musicians and swing music DJ's to make Fort Collins a world-class swing dance community with regular social dances, lessons and community events.
We are excited to bring swing dancing back to Club Tico starting in May of 2024. Dances and lessons will be on first and third Sundays throughout the summer.
Cat's Corner Swing is named as a tribute to the original Lindy Hoppers of Harlem's Savoy Ballroom (see some of the old-school cats pictured below). During the 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s, Cat's Corner was the section of the Savoy where the top dancers combined their passion for dance, love for music, and spirit of improvisation to develop Lindy Hop, the original style of swing dancing. We are humbled and honored share their legacy with our community in Fort Collins, Colorado.
About Us
Meet The Cats in Your Corner
While on their honeymoon in Buenos Aires in the summer of 2023, Neil and Sarah Mitten went swing dancing practically every night, learning from local instructors who had trained extensively under Frankie Manning, one of the original dancers who was instrumental in developing the Lindy Hop in the 1930's. Inspired by the Lindy Hop community in Argentina, upon arriving back home to Fort Collins, Neil and Sarah started teaching weekly for NOCO Swing in September of 2023. Wanting to further expand swing dance opportunities available to the Fort Collins community, they founded Cat's Corner Swing in March of 2024. Neil has been dancing Lindy Hop since 2004, and Sarah picked up dancing quickly after acquiring Neil as a dance partner in 2022.
Meet Ramses and Felicia, two passionate swing dancers from California. They love to boogie with various swing styles--Lindy Hop and Shag being two of their favorites! Since moving to Northern Colorado they have been excited to participate in the local swing scene and help spread the joy and exuberance of dance. Together they have dabbled in multiple aspects of swing including performances, competitions, and plenty of teaching! Their teaching philosophy is to encourage key elements of dance while allowing their students' creativity to shine through. They enjoy incorporating their Chicano heritage in their style and music! Come out and dance with them!