INDY'S WEEKLY ALTERNATIVE NEWSPAPER HIGHLIGHTING ARTS, ENTERTAINMENT AND SOCIAL JUSTICE
Nightlife Guide: Dancing
Dance spots for top 40 music
Gelo Ultra Lounge5252 E. 82nd St., 317-577-9570, www.geloultralounge.com
Fridays and Saturdays: DJ John Larner and select hip-hop parties.
Lulu’s Restaurant
8487 Union Chapel Road, 317-251-5858, www.lulusindy.com
Fridays and Saturdays: DJ Slater Hogan and select special events.
Six
247 S. Meridian St., 317-638-6660, 6indy.com
Fridays and Saturdays: DJ Edi and select special events.
Dance spots for electronic, punk and rock music
Bourbon Street Distillery
361 Indiana Ave., 317-636-3316, www.bourbonstreetdistillery.com
Sundays: Open Turntable Night by DJs Greg Campbell and Sarah Vain network music fans of everything from electronica to hip-hop.
Club Level
120 E. Market St., 317-536-1460
“Freak Show” on biweekly Thursdays with Mister E DJ. Monthly Wicked Wednesdays also bring Mister E and DJ Cryptic out, spinning top 40 dance music, house and hip-hop.
Melody Inn
3826 N. Illinois St., 317-923-4707, www.melodyindy.com
Saturdays: Punk Rock Night brings in a variety of local and national punk acts.
Talbott Street
2145 N. Talbott St., 317-931-1343, www.talbottstreet.com
Periodic special events, concerts and international DJ appearances. Weekly drag shows by the Ladies of Legend include ’80s flashbacks as well.
Therapy Nightclub and Lounge
605 E. Market St., 317-632-0325, www.myspace.com/therapynightclub
Wednesdays: Reggae and Afro-beats. Underground hip-hop DJs make appearances on varying dates. Thursdays: “Keepin’ It Deep” with DJ Slater Hogan, DJ John Larner, DJ Seth Nichols and more.
The Vogue
6259 N. College Ave., 317-259-7029, www.thevogue.ws
Wednesdays: Relive the ’80s with “Retro Rewind.” Fridays: Top 40 and techno music. Saturdays: “Tease” invites ladies for free until 11:30 p.m. for house, top 40 and techno.
Dance spots for hip-hop
Casba6319 Guilford Ave., 317-254-1147
Thursdays: B-boy battles. Sundays: Reggae and hip-hop beats by DJ Indiana Jones and DJ Danger.
Coaches Tavern
28 S. Pennsylvania St., 317-917-1191, www.coachestavern.com
Tuesdays: DJ Driver spins hip-hop.
CT Peppers
6283 N. College Ave., 257-6277, www.pepperslive.com
College-friendly home pub for the Franchize and hip-hop DJs spinning for large crowds in the downstairs dance floor.
Ice Lounge
235 S. Meridian St., 317-951-2174, www.iceultralounge.com
Swank three-floor club and sushi bar. Occasional hip-hop.
Seven
6235 N. Guilford Ave., 317-257-0707, www.7indy.com
Fridays: DJ Paul Bunyon spins hip-hop.
Spin Nightclub
6308 N. Guilford Ave., 317-257-0000, www.myspace.com/spinind
Alternating live hip-hop shows, emcee battles by Bassment Funk Productions and DJs.
Live band dance spots
Birdy’s Bar and Grill2131 E. 71st St., 317-254-8971, www.birdyslive.com
Select live bands, including touring acts like the Rapture.
CT Peppers
6283 N. College Ave., 317-257-6277, www.pepperslive.com
Select live local bands.
Mousetrap
5565 N. Keystone Ave., 317-255-3189
Select jam bands for free on a nightly basis. This is also a favorite spot for the performer Freekbass.
Rock Lobster
820 Broad Ripple Ave., 317-253-5844
Select live bands.
The Vogue
6259 N. College Ave., 317-259-7029, www.thevogue.ws
Select live bands and hip-hop parties.
Social dancing
For those tired of the club scene, there is ample floor space at Indianapolis’ most popular social dance spots that teach a variety of moves from ballroom, swing, hustle and Latin, to country and line dances.Atrium
3143 E. Thompson Road, 317-782-4467, www.theatriuminc.com
St. Luke’s Singles South hosts informal social dances with a DJ every other Friday night.
Indy Dancers
P.O. Box 44331, 317-767-5665, www.indydancers.com
Lessons every Tuesday night at a variety of venues. Two Saturday night dances are held each month, one dance at the Starlite Ballroom and the other at Moose Lodge 17.
Primo Banquet and Conference Center
2615 National Ave., 317-788-4140, www.primobanquet.com
Mix-N-Mingles Singles Dance is held every Sunday night with a DJ.
Ballroom dancing
Indianapolis boasts three-year champions of the USA Dance National DanceSport Championship, ballroom dancers Rog and Amy Greenawalt. ABC’s Dancing with the Stars contest was held in January at Indy’s own Conseco Fieldhouse. Whether you are a champion or an amateur, the city’s dance studios provide lessons and dances for ballroom dancing.Arthur Murray Dance Studios
2310 E. 116th St., Carmel, 317-843-1110; 4263 Lafayette Road, Speedway, 317-293-6145; 8902 St. Peter St., Greenwood, 317-881-7762; 723 B. Broad Ripple Ave., 317-251-3700, Broad Ripple Village
Private and group dance lessons are offered. Open dances are primarily for students.
Continental Dance Club
5720 Guion Road, 317-767-4040, www.continentaldanceclub-indy.com
Ballroom dances with live music at the Starlite Ballroom every Sunday evening with lessons before each dance.
Fred Astaire
Indianapolis Dance Studio
6213 La Pas Trail, Ste. 200, 317-291-6500, www.fredastairejupiter.com
Private and group dance lessons.
Indiana Roof Ballroom
140 W. Washington St., 317-236-1870, www.indianaroof.com
Big band orchestras play for monthly dances.
Let’s Dance Club
2640 E. 62nd St., 317-259-1147, www.letsdanceclub.com
Private and group dance lessons. Open dances are sponsored primarily for students.
Simply Ballroom
9402 Uptown Drive, 317-596-8024, www.simplyballroom.net
Private and group dance lessons.
Starlite Ballroom
5720 Guion Road, 317-299-4740, www.starlitedanceindy.com
Private and group dance lessons.
USA Dance
3865 N. Commercial Pkwy., Greenfield, 317-891-3035, www.ultra-stars.com
Monthly ballroom dance preceded by a lesson. Sponsors the annual Heartland Classic at the Indiana Convention Center.
Mavris Center
121 S. East St., 317-917-9999, www.mavrisculturalcenter.net
The Lilly Dance Club meets every Tuesday.
Indianapolis Senior Citizens’ Center
708 E. Michigan St., 317-263-6272, www.indyctzcnt.qpg.com
Wednesday afternoon dances with a live band
Tates Dance Center
4005 Vincennes Road, 317-418-4901, www.tatesdance.com
Tango Indy offers Argentine tango lessons and dancing on Thursdays.
Country dancing
8 Seconds Saloon
111 N Lynhurst Drive, 317-486-1569, www.8secondssaloon.com
Offers partner, couples and line dance lessons on a large dance floor in one of the largest country nightclubs in the U.S. on Thursday and Saturday nights.
Mike’s Music and Dance Barn
2277 S.R. 46 West, Nashville, 812-988-8636, www.mikesmusicdancebarn.com
Country line dances are taught on Mondays and Thursdays. Smooth Country Band performs on Friday and Saturday.
Salsa dancing
Salsa dancing has risen to be one of Indianapolis’ favorite social activities in the last three years. With famous teachers gracing the floors of some of Indy’s hottest dance studios, amateurs and professionals can experience the style and culture that salsa brings to life.
8 Seconds Saloon
111 N. Lynhurst Drive, 317-486-1569, www.8secondssaloon.com
Salsa dancing on some Fridays and occasional concerts by Latin groups.
Adobe Grill
4939 E. 82nd St., www.salsaindy.com
Fiesta Fridays offers free dance lesson at 10 p.m. by SalsaIndy, including salsa, bachata, merengue and old school salsa (no reggeaton). Over 21 and non-smoking from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m., $5 cover. Check out the Web site for free admission.
Club Level
120 E. Market St., 317-536-1460
Latin Vibe Saturdays from 9 p.m-3 a.m. hosted by IntoSalsa and the VIP Crew. DJ Jimmy Jim also plays merengue, bachata and reggaeton; $5 cover; ladies free before 11 p.m.
The Cozy
20 N. Pennsylvania St.
Saturdays: Latin Night hosted by IndySalsa, with free lessons by Lady Cynthia. DJ TaZ and Gerardo and Roberto on percussion from 9 p.m. to 3 a.m.; $5 cover, ladies free before 11 p.m.
Into Salsa Latin Dance Studio
363 N. Illinois St., Ste. 202, 317-496-4196, www.intosalsa.com
Into Salsa Latin Dance Studio offers private and group Latin dance lessons. A Family Dance Party takes place the last Sunday of every month, 4-8 p.m. All ages are welcome. Free dance lessons and entry.
Jazz Kitchen
5377 N. College Ave., 317-253-4900, www.thejazzkitchen.com
Latin Dance Party with salsa lessons followed by DJ music on Thursday nights from 6-8 p.m. Free dance lessons 7-7:30 p.m. Latin dance party featuring DJs Marco Dominguez and Fernando Ramirez playing a mix of salsa, merengue, bachata, reggaeton, Latin hip-hop and more from 9 p.m.-2 a.m.; $5 cover, ladies free until 10 p.m.
Red Room
6335 Guilford Ave., 317-257-1344, www.intosalsa.com
Pure Salsa! hosted by IntoSalsa with lessons Wednesdays, 6-9 p.m. DJ Shawn Juan also includes music for merengue, bachata and cha-cha from 9 p.m-1 a.m.; $5 cover.
Square and folk dancing
All ages can join in on square and folk dancing at these venues.
Beech Grove Senior Center
602 Main St., Beech Grove, 317-788-4987, www.beechgrove.com
Square dancing for seniors on Thursday mornings
Indianapolis Senior Center
416 E. North St., 317-635-1784
Square dancing for seniors on Thursday afternoons
Plainfield High School
709 Stafford Road, Plainfield, 317-839-7711, plainfield.k12.in.us
Quakertown Shakers Square Dance Club sponsors lessons on Monday nights and square dancing on Friday nights at Plainfield High School.
Swing dancing
Get into the swing of things at any of the following popular swing spots for lessons, dances and performances.
Adams Mark Hotel
2544 Executive Drive, 317-248-2481, www.adamsmark.com
Brickyard Boogie Dancers’ West Coast swing lessons and DJ dances on Wednesday also sometime meet at Quincy’s in the Adam’s Mark Hotel.
Fountain Square Theater
1105 Prospect St., 317-686-6010, www.fountainsquareindy.com
Friday Night Swing Dance is preceded by lessons. A band plays for Lindy-style swing dancing.
Madame Walker Theater Center
617 Indiana Ave., 317-236-2099, www.aroundindy.com
Indy Swing Dance Club hosts West Coast swing lessons and dancing on Sunday afternoons.
Sterrett Center
8950 Otis Ave., 317-826-1670
Brickyard Boogie Dancers host primarily West Coast swing lessons and DJ dances Wednesdays at the Sterrett Center and a monthly Saturday night dance at Starlite Ballroom (5720 Guion Road, 317-299-4740, www.starlitedanceindy.com).