Jazz Dance Jam

Creative SEA is putting on the Jazz Dance Jam at Unity Church of the Hills on Friday, October 9, from 6:30 to 9:00 PM. It's a community evening that puts live swing jazz and a dance floor in the same room, with a free lesson to get you moving before the night really kicks off.

That lesson is led by Laura Malloy of Four On The Floor, a longtime instructor who'll walk you through the steps so you're comfortable with the basics before the room fills up. Once the lesson wraps, the floor stays open for the rest of the evening. If you've never danced swing before, this is a good way to ease in—you get the pointers first, and then you can just jump in when you're ready.

There's a jam side to the night, too. The band is open to jazz musicians of all levels, so if you play, you're welcome to sit in. It's not just for the dancers; the music is a part of the evening you can actually participate in if that's your thing.

Creative SEA describes the whole thing as a community-building evening, meant to bring people of all ages and backgrounds together. Instead of a fixed ticket price, they're doing sliding scale donations at the door, so you can give what you're able. Doors open at 6:00 PM, and the jam runs from 6:30 to 9:00 PM at Unity Church of the Hills, 9905 Anderson Mill Rd, Austin, TX 78750.