First Friday Swing Dances in Milwaukee offers weekly swing, blues, and social dance events.

First Friday Swing Dances is a vibrant community hub in Milwaukee dedicated to swing, blues, ballroom, contra, and contact improvisation. The group fosters a deeply humanizing connection among dancers, offering a supportive environment where participants can challenge themselves at a comfortable pace. Their primary event, the weekly Tuesday night live band swing dance hosted at Falcon Bowl, features a spacious 2,000 square foot wood ballroom and typically attracts 80 to 120 dancers. Each night begins with a one-hour basic swing lesson for all skill levels, followed by two hours of impassioned music from rotating bands. The event is free to enter, with instructors and organizers volunteering their time, while bands are supported through tips. Beyond their weekly gatherings, the group participates in larger festivals such as 'A Tribute to Bix Fest' in Mt. Pleasant, celebrating early jazz history with vintage clothing vendors, record spinning, and guided tours of Chicago's jazz heritage. They also organize the Wisconsin's largest dedicated swing dance, the First Friday Swing Dances held at Elk's Lodge in Waukesha from October to May, featuring diverse regional and local bands. The group actively promotes dance through weekly email newsletters and maintains a presence on social media to connect dancers throughout the Milwaukee area.