Lindy by the Sea

Thanks to Rusty Frank and Lindy By the Sea, for the first time in my life I’m learning how to move my body. I’ve been a musician all my life, so I’ve known rhythm and musicality, but I never got a start connecting the beats to my body. I started taking Lindy Hop lessons with Rusty in November 2015 after many years of wanting to learn something that terrified me, and now I’m happy to say I’m able to accomplish some basic moves on the dance floor without looking like a complete idiot. Rusty’s teaching methods are great for doofuses like me as well as experts. I waited far too long to get started, and I’m happy I finally did. Fringe benefit? I’ve met some great people in class and at social dances and have been making new friends in the process! Don’t let fear hold you back like I did. Get out there and get started!

We really enjoyed ourselves. Definitely worth checking out.

Do you love the great jazz tunes from yesteryear? Did you ever watch a movie with swing dancing (like in Swingers, Swing Kids, The Mask, Blast From The Past, etc.) and think «That looks fun!» Do you want to meet some really cool and friendly people who share similar interests? Well then, sign up for classes at Lindy By the Sea! Great instructors, great location, great exercise, and all-​around good times! You don’t need to bring your own partner; everyone rotates around so you’ll get lots of dance practice in. Then you can go show off what you learned at Rusty’s weekly dances (always great live bands!) A true gem in the LA area!

I danced my first dance step of my life in Rusty’s classroom. She is an inspiration: both in terms of motivating people to try out and stick with dancing, but also in general – her positive attitude helps remind us that it’s okay to try new things and be silly in public even when you’re a full-​grown adult — something that’s altogether too easy to forget.
Once, when dancing elsewhere with a stranger, the subject came up of who our instructors were. Upon hearing my answer, my partner chuckled and said, «Well of course! We are all Rusty’s children!» Yes, we are, and thanks, Mom. ;)

This review is for Rusty Frank, the dance instructor. I scheduled a private dance class for a bachelorette party. Rusty came gorgeously dressed in 1920’s style to inspire us. She taught us all the Charleston and variations on the basic steps, as well as some group dances and ways to use what we learned out at the clubs later that night. She gave us information and tips about the flapper style and 1920’s history. Rusty got all of us sweating and moving our butts, while having fun!
Rusty was very accommodating and flexible with a few last minute changes to our plans. I appreciated her enthusiasm and energy to kick off our Roaring 20’s Bachelorette weekend! Thank you, Rusty!

I had always wanted to learn to partner dance. As a kid, I would watch older couples move magically across the dance floor with the gentleman’s hand guiding his ladies body through intricate movements. Flash forward to being a 35 year old woman and watching an episode of So You Think You Can Dance… I was mesmerized and thought to myself if you want to learn this you better do it now before you are too old! So… I started with ballroom and salsa lessons which I wasn’t too thrilled with. Salsa was just way too flirty for me. I wanted something that was more conservative with good music. So I moved to West Coast Swing which was too much of a bar scene. Enter Rusty Frank and a phone call that changed my life… I decided I wanted private lessons after too many creepy guys trying to get more than just a dance. Rusty stayed on the phone with me for a half hour explaining the differences between West Coast Swing, East Coast Swing and Lindy Hop. I started private lessons with her as my lead at her home shortly afterward. She told me that I needed to come and social dance at her Rhythm Club… I was super hesitant because of my past experiences in dance clubs but she convinced me that I would never learn unless I danced with a variety of dancers. After a few weeks, I still didn’t go but I did start taking her group lessons and begged her to let me keep the same partner and not rotate during class (believe it or not I had advertised on Craig’s List for a dance partner and dance partner only and was able to find a nice guy to help me learn to dance)… she said absolutely not that she’s had bad experiences letting partners not rotate and that I needed to dance with different leads in order to get better. I gritted my teeth and did it and boy am I glad I did… who knew that I would meet my future husband in her Intermediate Class which wouldn’t have happened if I hadn’t rotated! Both Rusty and her leads… Gio for beginners and Ron for Intermediates… make class feel easy and so much fun! I loved it so much that after I had the basics down I started taking every single one in the series (great refresher!)… 3 hours straight of class and it still didn’t feel like enough… I was definitely addicted and Rusty’s energy is contagious. I eventually got over my fear of social dancing and became a regular at Rusty’s Rhythm Club. I also appreciate that she teaches you about the music and has lots of workshops for fine tuning. So here I sit… 6 years and a 2 year old son later! Thank you Rusty for enriching my life in more ways than one!

I was really nervous about taking these classes, but bought a groupon and decided to go for it. No partner needed — you rotate with everyone in the class. We always had a fairly balanced class as far as gender, and Rusty is great at breaking down and explaining the moves. Gio, her partner, is full of energy, and together they make a dynamic teaching duo.
It was not difficult to understand and execute the moves. Rusty teaches at a great pace and you try each move multiple times with different people. It is not intimidating. She builds on each move over the four week beginner course, and by the end I felt like I could go to a swing dance and not make a fool of myself! Everyone was super nice. All of my fears prior to going were unfounded — I had a great time, and would highly recommend these classes to anyone. They are reasonably priced, too. I am looking forward to signing up for the next level!

The best teachers and method I’ve ever experienced. Very professional, reasonably priced and FUN!

If you’ve never taken a group dance lesson, this is a great place to start, regardless of style of dance.
Group lessons involve everyone being in a circle, with leaders and followers partnered up in pairs.
Learning a dance can be daunting and it involves not only making your body do something it may never have done before, it also involves meeting new people and, gasp, dancing with them!
Rusty the instructor will start on the basics of a dance move and have you try it out with your partner and then the leaders will rotate counter clockwise to the next follower in the circle (note: other classes may have the followers move instead of the leaders, and the direction may be clockwise — it really doesn’t matter. Rusty does say that making the leaders rotate gets them used to approaching followers which will help them overcome the initial shyness on the dance floor.). This repeats until the end of the class hour.
The beauty of Lindy by the Sea is that Rusty is a great teacher. She and her teaching partners know how to break down a move and also keep the pacing of the class at a reasonable speed so you have time to learn it. On top of that, the people who attend Rusty’s classes are really nice. I’ve been to classes in other locations with other instructors and for some reason, the people at Rusty’s seem to be the nicest ones.
Rusty teaches her classes in blocks of 4 – 6 weeks. So she builds moves progressively from one week to next. This leaves enough time to actually learn moves and practice them. It’s a nice pace.
Rusty also tries to instill in her students some dancing etiquette — such as being aware of other dancers so you don’t run them over, being aware of the limited space you have on a dance floor so you don’t run other dancers over, how to ask someone to dance, how to be asked to dance — little things like that make a difference. I wish more teachers taught these things.

I have taken various types of dance lessons in my life (not swing). After completing my first series at Lindy by the Sea, I was astounded at the amount of material covered and how solidly everybody learned it – not just those who are naturally decent at dancing — everybody. This is a very rare feat, and it is due to the competence, attention, and devotion of the instructors, Rusty and Gio. What’s more, this was not a swing bootcamp, which one might expect is needed to achieve the amount of progress seen in one four-​hour (one hour per week for four weeks) series. It’s fun, full of laughter and stories and shared happiness.
One great feature of the Lindy by the Sea environment is its focus on social dancing. Not only do you learn the mechanics of swing dancing, you also learn what to expect if you go to a swing club and what the customs and courtesies of that scene are, which makes going to your first dance sooo much easier.
Rusty has classes for every level of dancer. I highly recommend you check them out!

I’ve never learned any type of social dancing before (I am not counting the 15 minute session of salsa dance from Spanish class in high school). I didn’t go to prom, I rarely go clubbing and my usual idea of dancing is Dance Dance Revolution in the privacy of my home…
With that said, I’ve been wanting to learn swing dancing FOR-​E-​VER. I grew up thinking I was living in a vintage notion thanks to my papa who was born in the 40s. I am a vintage aficionado; I love everything from the romantic notion of soda shops & ice cream parlors, 50s fashion, Elvis & Johnny Cash and my most recent addiction, Mad Men.
I finally looked into swing dance classes in LA and chose Lindy by the Sea for its awesome Unilocal reviews (thanks, Unilocalers!) and its location (closer than Pasadena.)
I am about to my finish my first month of classes– I decided to take both level 1&2 on Thursday nights so I could have two hours of lessons instead of one. (If you decide to take two classes in one day, you get about 50% off the second class! What a deal, right? Might as well take two~)
Even if you come with a partner, the leaders will always be rotating around so that you have someone new to dance with every few minutes. This is great because you won’t catch anyone’s bad habits but also you can see how it is to dance with someone else. Rusty & Gio host the Thursday night classes for beginners and the teachers & students all radiate with optimism. Everyone in class has told me they always look forward to Thursdays. Me included!
I started without knowing what foot to even start on and just after 3 weeks of classes I went to my first social dance at Rusty’s Rhythm Club at the Elks Lodge in Playa del Rey. I won’t talk about the venue here, as that’s a separate review, but I got asked to dance by some more advanced dancers (pretty much any dancer is more advanced than me) and they were amazed that I had only been swing dancing for three weeks. Maybe they were just being nice, but I sure felt good doing the Charleston on the dance floor!
I know for sure that I’ll continue with Rusty’s classes for a long time– they have become such an important part of my weekly routine.

I have wanted to learn to swing dance for years, even before the craze started by that Gap commercial so long ago. I tried a couple different times with different group lessons over the years, but I never was able to follow through.
It is so much different with Rusty and Gio! I’m one month into the group lessons, and I love every minute of the classes. The class structure has you rotating through partners all night, which helps in two big ways. First, you don’t have to worry about coming alone. I’d say the majority of students come by themselves, though there are definitely some couples too. At first, the couples often are disappointed that they won’t be learning together the whole time, but it’s actually much better that way, because dancing with different people really helps strengthen your dancing way quicker. Plus, it’s fun!
The actual instruction is so clear, I’m amazed. I look at some of the moves as they demonstrate them, and in my mind I think that there is no way I’ll be able to pick that up during the month-​long class. 15 minutes later, I’m not only doing them, I’m now thinking, «Wow, what did I think was so hard about this?». The whole experience ends up being so exciting and invigorating, I go home afterward and look at all the classes they offer and try to figure out how I can take as many as I can as fast as I can.
If you’ve wanted to learn to swing dance, run, don’t walk, to Lindy by the Sea. You won’t regret it.

AMAZING instructors and a very good way to spend Thursday nights. I’ve taken classes with Rusty and Gio for over a month now and I can confidently say that my dance technique has definitely improved! Even though I came to these classes with a basic background in swing, the intro classes help me really understand «the science» behind it — start from the beginning (even if you think you know it all) and you won’t regret it.
As you advance, you learn some nifty musicality and styling techniques that will make you go from average to aMAZing on the dance floor. Class is always fun; you need to work hard to be nervous here. Highly recommended if you’re working on becoming a Lindy Hop master!
A Tip: Take at least 2 series a night (=2 hrs) since 1 hr of dancing is just not enough — and you get a discount price on the 2^nd class!
Rusty also has a weekly Wednesday dance night at her club and special Friday night dance parties at the beginning of the month — I can’t wait to try these out!

For me, Lindy By the Sea equals happiness. In fact, I was recently with some of my new swing friends and we were told we were «dressed like happiness.» Now clothes are great and fun to shop for and wear, but I think how you are feeling when you wear them is what people are really noticing. Rusty has said in Lindy By The Sea classes that the best thing you can wear when you are dancing is a smile. I find I don’t even have to think about putting on a smile when I am at Lindy By The Sea; it is naturally plastered across my face. This carries over to any swing event I go to. I think it has every thing to do with the atmosphere that Rusty and her Rhythm Pals, Gio and Ron, have created and the foundation they are giving to their students. They love Lindy Hop and they love to teach it! It is a very fun, supportive, and caring environment. There is clapping and cheering and big smiles throughout the entire class. How can you not love a place like that? I look forward to dance class all day and am super charged for hours after.
The fact that I am looking forward to dance class actually cracks me up. See, I have been wanting to do this for the last 12 years because I love the music and it looks like a blast. But, I was terrified of couples dancing and dancing in general. I would just freeze up if anyone asked me to couples’ dance. But it was more than that. You could say I have processing dyslexia, for lack of a better term. When it comes to things like aerobics, dancing, even Twister, I hear «Left hand forward, right foot back» but a part of my brain sends the opposite signal while another part of my brain tries to fix the first signal. The result is I freeze for a second or two. Thus 12 years go by and no dancing. Thankfully I heard about Lindy By The Sea last year, and with the help of a friend, pushed myself into it. I was told that the instructors and instruction was fabulous and that it was broken down in such a way that it would reduce any problems I might have with processing. Rusty, Ron and Gio are so great at what they do that I have had very little processing issues and can’t get enough of their classes. The repetition of each piece of the move really helps. Since the place is so positive I don’t feel embarrassed about not getting it right the first time (which is huge for me, being the overachiever that I am). We are all learning and as Rusty says we all have our own journey on getting there. (See, great place huh?)
Being a teacher, I really appreciate the time and thought that was put into the development of the curriculum and the flow of the classes. There is no lost time; one technique flows seamlessly into the next. I really enjoy dancing with all of the leaders in a night, thanks to the constant rotation in every class. (Which is exactly what you will experience while social dancing at a club.) Before you know it you have met a bunch of people, have learned to dance, and sadly class is over… but wait, there are 3 beginning level classes in one night!
I just can’t say enough about how much I love this place, the instructors and the people in class!
«Happiness is excitement that has found a settling down place. But there is always a little corner that keeps flapping around. ~ E.L. Konigsburg
Hey, whatcha doing still reading this? Go sign up for Level 1 (A or B) and come have the time of your life!

Okay, single men, listen up: I can’t for the life of me figure out why more of you aren’t learning to swing dance. Seriously. Hear me out. There are women all over Southern California — fun, lovely, lively, active, stylish, smiling, gracious, fantastic women — who love to go out swing dancing. At the swing dance clubs, there are *never* enough men. There are *always* women waiting for a dance. Do you understand what those odds mean for you?
YOU ARE NOT TOO COOL, OR TOO UNCOORDINATED, TO LEARN TO DANCE! Rusty Frank’s Lindy by the Sea is the perfect place to start. You don’t need a partner. You and the other probably-​terrified-​but-​brave-​enough-​to-​sign-​up beginners will get to know each other quickly and discover that nobody is pointing and laughing at you. You’ll learn basic steps at a manageable pace in an encouraging environment, with teachers who want you to succeed and have no interest in intimidating you. You’ll make friends, you’ll have fun, you’ll get good exercise, you’ll be confident at every wedding you’re forced to go to for the rest of your life, and you’ll have an impressive gentlemanly skill that will give you the opportunity to put a beautiful woman in your arms wherever there’s music playing.
It’s not just that women love men who can dance; women love men who are even just willing to try! Trust me, fellas. Man up. Take dance lessons at Lindy by the Sea.
(And then come dancing at Rusty’s Rhythm Club! But that’s another review.)

Treat yourself to some mid-​week fun! Rusty Frank and her instructors make you feel welcome from the first night! Classes are fun and available for every level of dancer. You don’t need a partner to participate; your classmates are friendly and easy-​going. In class, you’ll learn the steps, the etiquette of social dancing, and some of the history of swing. After attending, you’ll be able to step out in confidence!
Lindy by the Sea also offers occasional weekend workshops on specific dances or specialty topics. These are open to all.
Whether you’re a first-​time dancer or someone who’s returning to dance after a long time away (like I was), Lindy by the Sea will bring sheer fun into your life instantly!

Every six months or so, I try and find something to learn that I’ve never done before. Three months ago, I hopped on Unilocal and looked up ‘Swing Dancing Lessons’. There were a couple of spots a little closer to me, but based on the reviews I read here, I decided to give Rusty’s a try.
Boy am I glad I did.
For starters, you can go with another person or– like myself– you can go without a partner. But since everyone gets paired up with everyone multiple times throughout the night (the ‘followers’ stand in a circle while the ‘leaders’ rotate around), it was never a big deal. This teaching style really reinforces the ‘social dancing’ aspect of the lessons, because you’re not picking up other people’s bad habits and they’re not having to overcompensate for yours. Also, Rusty (and her assistant Geo) go out of their way to reinforce the dancing ‘roles’ of leaders and followers… which is actually a very difficult thing to teach when you’re just learning the basic steps– but it was definitely the best way to learn.
The environment always feels very safe– nothing pretentious from any of the students and definitely not from the teachers– everyone’s always laughing and having a great time. Which is a relief, because I came to Rusty’s as a truly awful dancer, and when you’re a clutz who’s trying to learn to dance, your ego’s in tatters just by walking through the door. But it was a very safe, fun environment.
And the ages vary all over the place– it’s actually kind of blast to follow up a dance with a twenty year old by dancing with a nice lady in her seventies.
All in all, I give it two huge thumbs up. If you’re thinking of learning to dance, I can’t think of a better place to send you. There was even someone who was driving two hours up from San Diego to take a class this session and the first two sessions there was a guy traveling down ninety minutes from Thousand Oaks. I’m not sure I’d ever travel that far for any class on anything… but it really says a lot to me about the quality of teaching that I’m getting at Lindy By the Sea. This place is really, really excellent.
Oh, and it’s dirt cheap. So that’s good, too.

I had never in my life learned any kind of ballroom, formal, organized, etc type of dancing. It seems I’m a product of my MTV generation and all I knew was to shake my booty and jump around to dance music at the clubs in Hermosa Plaza: Z
Then about six months ago I started to pick up a few basic steps to swing dancing from my friends who started taking classes here from Rusty. OMG I DO HAVE A RIGHT AND LEFT FOOT! :9
I opted to take dance instead of PE back in high school and it was so terrible I thought I would never take another dance class again. But after all the good things I heard from my friends I decided to give it a try. I started taking classes in March after a couple crash instruction sessions from my friends. Wow. Rusty goes over things in such a friendly, simple manner that anyone can learn from her! All the steps are broken down in a way that you can practice each move so that it feels natural.
Classes won’t make you a pro overnight, of course you need to practice and a few sessions of classes will do you good. But even if you’ve never danced or are not naturally graceful (guilty) you can still learn to dance well. I’m fairly clutsy and not so good at keeping rhythm. In 8 weeks I’ve learned the proper way to shift my balance in the steps and to relax and let my partner keep count to the music for me. There is one man in my current class who has never done any dancing, 4 weeks later he isn’t perfect, still a bit awkward and needs to practice — but he’s got the basic steps down and can spin me around!
Rusty also has a social dance night Wednesdays nearby called Rusty’s Rhythm Club at the Elks Lodge in Playa del Rey. It’s a great place to go practice your steps will all levels of dancers and it’s alot of fun!

Southbay people this one is for you. If you’ve ever wanted to learn how to swing dance then check out classes at Lindy By the Sea. Rusty Frank has been teaching and dancing for years. Her classes are very relaxed and non intimidating. You can come with a partner or by yourself. And best of all, if you historically have two left feet like I do, fear not, you’ll walk out after a few lessons with only 1 ½ left feet, and after a few more lessons with one left foot and one right foot. check them out at