Peabody (Swing Walk) Workshop!
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Learn Peabody (Swing Walk)!
2pm-4:45pm, Saturday November 21st, 2026
All levels, beginner friendly
Teachers: Cheryl Henry & Simon Threlkeld
Peabody is a lively, traveling partner dance that was hugely popular during the Jazz Age and Swing Era. At Harlem’s Savoy Ballroom—the heart of Lindy Hop in the Swing Era—it was often called the Swing Walk. It is usually danced to faster tempos.
In the 1930s, Peabody was part of every Lindy Hopper’s vocabulary at the Savoy, including the legendary Whitey’s Lindy Hoppers. It often appeared in their performances, building excitement before the grand finale—high-energy Lindy Hop with air steps.
The Savoy Ballroom's nickname "The Track," is thought to refer to the Peabody dancing around the long dance floor to fast music.
The basic Peabody step is walking or a jog. It also has syncopations, and can be danced slow, slow, quick, quick. A quintessential part of Peabody is the offset ("Yale") position of the dancers, alternating between your partner offset to your right and to your left.
Simon & Cheryl's main teachers for Peabody are the very wonderful dance teachers Chad Fasca & Midori Asakura.
- Peabody & 1920s Charleston performance by Chad Fasca & Midori Asakura: https://vimeo.com/222761425?fl=pl&fe=vl
(Cheryl & Simon mainly learned Peabody from Chad & Midori.)
- Lindy Hop greats Frankie Manning & Norma Miller, illustrating the Peabody dancing they did at the Savoy Ballroom in the 1930s:
PREREQUISITE: Prior dance experience is recommended, but not required. There is no need to bring your own dance partners.
Details and Registration will be here: https://swingtoronto.com/
After the workshop:
5pm to 6pm: Supper break and dance with DJ'd 1920s dance music, feel free to bring eats to the hall.
6pm to 11pm: 1920s Saturday Night Swing ft. Ben Harvey and his Ornamentals, and beginner lessons in super popular easy-to-learn dances on the 1920s Jazz Age.
Swing Toronto website: https://swingtoronto.com/
Facebook calendar of all Swing Toronto and Waltz
Toronto events: https://www.facebook.com/SwingTorontoPage/events
2pm-4:45pm, Saturday November 21st, 2026
All levels, beginner friendly
Teachers: Cheryl Henry & Simon Threlkeld
Peabody is a lively, traveling partner dance that was hugely popular during the Jazz Age and Swing Era. At Harlem’s Savoy Ballroom—the heart of Lindy Hop in the Swing Era—it was often called the Swing Walk. It is usually danced to faster tempos.
In the 1930s, Peabody was part of every Lindy Hopper’s vocabulary at the Savoy, including the legendary Whitey’s Lindy Hoppers. It often appeared in their performances, building excitement before the grand finale—high-energy Lindy Hop with air steps.
The Savoy Ballroom's nickname "The Track," is thought to refer to the Peabody dancing around the long dance floor to fast music.
The basic Peabody step is walking or a jog. It also has syncopations, and can be danced slow, slow, quick, quick. A quintessential part of Peabody is the offset ("Yale") position of the dancers, alternating between your partner offset to your right and to your left.
Simon & Cheryl's main teachers for Peabody are the very wonderful dance teachers Chad Fasca & Midori Asakura.
- Peabody & 1920s Charleston performance by Chad Fasca & Midori Asakura: https://vimeo.com/222761425?fl=pl&fe=vl
(Cheryl & Simon mainly learned Peabody from Chad & Midori.)
- Lindy Hop greats Frankie Manning & Norma Miller, illustrating the Peabody dancing they did at the Savoy Ballroom in the 1930s:
PREREQUISITE: Prior dance experience is recommended, but not required. There is no need to bring your own dance partners.
Details and Registration will be here: https://swingtoronto.com/
After the workshop:
5pm to 6pm: Supper break and dance with DJ'd 1920s dance music, feel free to bring eats to the hall.
6pm to 11pm: 1920s Saturday Night Swing ft. Ben Harvey and his Ornamentals, and beginner lessons in super popular easy-to-learn dances on the 1920s Jazz Age.
Swing Toronto website: https://swingtoronto.com/
Facebook calendar of all Swing Toronto and Waltz
Toronto events: https://www.facebook.com/SwingTorontoPage/events
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Where is it happening?
St. Barnabas Upper Hall 175 Hampton Ave, Toronto, ON M4K 2Z3, Canada
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
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Host or PublisherSwing Toronto
