Halloween Friday Night Swing | Carrillo Recreation Center

Join the City of Santa Barbara Parks and Recreation Department in partnership with Sylvia Sykes and the Santa Barbara Swing Dance Committee for another year of Friday Night Swing!

This monthly event, held in the Carrillo Ballroom at the Carrillo Recreation Center, features beginner and intermediate swing dance lessons before a live band takes the stage for an evening of dancing and prizes. Each month brings a different band, with music ranging from jazz and jive to blues and rockabilly. 

This month features Aileen Quinn and the Leapin' Lizards with their mix of classic rockabilly hits and soulful originals. Aileen, best known for her iconic role as Annie in the 1982 film Annie, is a Golden Globe-nominated actress who now leads this energetic rockabilly and swing band out of LA.

Costumes are encouraged for the Halloween-themed evening.

Admission is $20 at the door (cash only). All skill levels and abilities are welcome, and dance lessons are included with admission. The beginner lesson is designed as an introductory class to help new dancers gain confidence and have fun, and the intermediate lesson is for more experienced dancers looking to improve their technique. The unique cantilevered floor of the Carrillo Ballroom flexes under every step, making it a fun and easy dance experience for all skill levels. 

Lessons begin at 7:30 p.m., and the dance runs from 8:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. with a break for intermission and prizes. 

Friday Night Swing 2024 Schedule
February 16 – Flattop Tom and His Jump Cats
March 15 – Dave Stuckey and the Hothouse Gang
April 19 – San Lyon
May 17 – Crown City Bombers
June 21 – Alpha Rhythm Kings
July 19 – Carl Sonny Leyland and His Boogie Woogie Boys
August 16 – The Barrelhouse Wailers
September 20 – The Jumpin' Joz Band
October 18 – Aileen Quinn and the Leapin' Lizards
November 15 – Sylvia and the Rhythm Boys
December 13 – Jonathan Stout and His Campus Five