Iowa City, Iowa July 4-6
Shuck off your inhibitions, crop dust off your dancing shoes, and meet us on the dance floor for Iowa City's Sweet Corn Swingout!
Join us in Iowa City for a weekend of Lindy Hop classes, live music, and dancing! Shannon Lea Watkins and Kevin Weng will share kernels of wisdom to take your Lindy Hop dancing to the next level. There will be three dances, including a live band on Saturday night where the rhythms of Sweetie and the Toothaches will get you hot & buttered.
The Iowa City Jazz Festival is happening at the same time and mere blocks away from our programming! In between classes and dances, you can meander the streets of Iowa City, enjoying street food, artist booths, and live jazz of all varieties. We may even take our dancing to the streets!
Full Weekend Schedule
July 4 - 6, 2025
Friday
Friday Advanced Lindy Hop Classes
Instructors: Shannon Lea Watkins and Kevin Weng
Masonic Lodge Event Space: 312 E College St.
Friday, 5–6:40 p.m.
Lindy in the Streets
Hit the streets of Jazz Festival with Dj'd dancing, food, drinks and live music
Downtown Iowa City (location TBA)
Friday, 7-9:30p.m.
Saturday
All-Levels Solo Jazz Class
Instructor: Sammy Copeland
Masonic Lodge Event Space: 312 E College St.
Saturday, 10:15–11:30 a.m.
Intermediate Lindy Hop Classes
Instructors: Shannon Lea Watkins and Kevin Weng
Masonic Lodge Event Space: 312 E College St.
Saturday, 1–4:30 p.m.
Beginner Lesson
Included in admission to the evening dance.
Old Brick: 26 E Market St.
Saturday, 7:30–8 p.m.
Dance with Sweetie and the Toothaches
Old Brick: 26 E Market St.
Saturday, 8 p.m.–midnight
There will be fireworks from 9:30 to 10 p.m. near this venue. Please schedule your arrival/departure or bring ear plugs if you have sound sensitivity.
Sunday
Sunday Goodbye Dance
Enjoy complimentary pastries. The cocktail lounge offers morning cocktails, coffee, and espresso drinks for purchase.
The Green House Cocktail Lounge: 505 E Washington St.
Sunday, 10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Passes
Beginner Pass $35
Have you just started learning Lindy Hop within the last few months? This pass gives you three dances to meet new dancers and practice your moves. You'll get to improve your footwork and musicality in the All-Levels Solo Jazz Class on Saturday and fine-tune your basic moves during the beginner class (7:30–8 p.m.) before the Saturday evening dance.
This pass includes:
- All-Levels Solo Jazz Class on Saturday
- All dances from Friday to Sunday
Intermediate Pass $65
Can you triple step in your sleep? You're comfortable with the basics and have your go- to 6-count and 8-count moves. You're thinking more about connection and exploring nuance in your dance. These classes will level-up your Lindy Hop by challenging you with new moves, concepts, and understanding of the leading/following dynamic. If you are still getting comfortable with Swingouts, Circles, and basic Charleston—please sign up for a Beginner Pass.
This pass includes:
- All-Levels Solo Jazz Class on Saturday
- Intermediate Lindy Hop Classes on Saturday
- All dances from Friday to Sunday
Advanced Pass $65
Have you been dancing Lindy Hop for several years, traveled to workshops or dance events, and like to be challenged in class? Are you focused on improving the quality of your basic movement, as well as your lead and follow connection at a more refined level? These classes will not only give you new vocabulary but also refine your basics, work on musicality, and improve your lead and follow connection.
This pass includes:
- Advanced Lindy Hop Classes on Saturday
- All-Levels Solo Jazz Class on Saturday
- All dances from Friday to Sunday
Advanced + Intermediate Pass $95
This pass includes everything from the Advanced Pass PLUS the intermediate classes on Saturday afternoon. Whether you're looking for more class time or wanting to switch roles during the intermediate class, we are thrilled to have you for the FULL WEEKEND.
This pass includes:
- Advanced Lindy Hop Classes on Saturday
- All-Levels Solo Jazz Class on Saturday
- Intermediate Lindy Hop Classes on Saturday
- All dances from Friday to Sunday
Dance Pass $30
Are you excited to hangout in downtown Iowa City during Jazz fest and hit up the Lindy Hop dances? This party Dance Pass is for you!
This pass includes:
- All dances from Friday to Sunday
à la carte
- Advanced Classes: $45
- Lindy in the Streets: Free!
- All-Levels Solo Jazz Class: $15
- Intermediate Classes: $50
- Sweetie and the Toothaches Dance + Beginner Lesson: $20
- Sweetie and the Toothaches Dance + Beginner Lesson: Student Rate - $15
- Sunday Goodbye Dance: $15
Instructors
Kevin Weng (he/him) has been dancing and teaching for 15 years and has long been one of the favorite Leaders in the global scene. His dancing emphasises the conversation with his partner within the music. He makes his partner feel seen and creates a space that "allows me to be creative". He is excited to work with Shannon and share some of their favorite things!
Shannon Lea Watkins (she/her) is a force on the dance floor, delighted by a squishy pass, a fiery swing out, and a new idea. Honoring her ancestors of both blood and Lindy Hop, she strives to embody connection, improvisation, and social justice in her life and in her dance. After two- stepping with her dad in her childhood living room, learning to Lindy Hop in Bloomington, Indiana, and honing her craft in San Francisco, California, she now calls Iowa City home. For years, she taught with Kevin across the San Francisco Bay Area, and she is excited to share things they love with the Midwest!
Sammy Copeland (they/them) fell in love with Lindy Hop and jazz dancing in 2017 and hasn't stopped dancing since! Sammy loves the expressive nature of solo dancing to jazz and how you can connect so intimately with the music. They love finding rhythms to play with, nuances in the music, and ways to express individual style.
Local Guide: venues, parking, food, and more!
Since Sweet Corn Swingout is at the same time as Iowa City Jazz Festival, an event that takes over all of the downtown, we recommend planning an extra 15 minutes to navigate through downtown and find parking. All venues are in downtown Iowa City. All Iowa City buses and the UI cambuses are free and all our locations are walkable in downtown.
Masonic Lodge Event Space
312 E College St.
Events:
- Friday Advanced Lindy Hop Classes
- Saturday All-Levels Solo Jazz Class
- Saturday Intermediate Lindy Hop Classes
Parking:
On Friday, July 4 and every day after 6 p.m., the street metered parking is free. There is also free street parking a few blocks east of venue on E College Street. However, with the Jazz Fest in town, plan extra time to find free parking.
Old Brick
26 E Market St.
Events:
- Saturday Beginner Lesson
- Saturday Dance with Sweetie and the Toothaches
Parking:
After 6 p.m., the street metered parking and the Chauncey Swan Ramp (a 10-minute walk away) are both free. However, with the Jazz Fest in town, plan extra time to find free parking.
The Green House
505 E Washington St.
Events:
- Sunday Goodbye Dance
Parking:
On Sundays, the street metered parking and the Chauncey Swan Ramp (right next door) are free!
With Iowa City Jazz Festival, there will be many food trucks and vendors on the corner of Iowa Avenue and S Clinton Street. This is an easy walk from all of our venues! Here are a few more Iowa City favorites that are all a 15-minute or less walk from our venues.
Coffee: Fix!, Prairie Lights Cafe (includes pastries AND books), Java House Downtown (offers breakfast/pastries), Bread Garden (offers breakfast/pastries), Cortado (offers breakfast/pastries)
Quick Breakfast + Lunch: Cortado, Nodo Downtown, Oasis, Bread Garden
Shopping: Prairie Lights (local bookstore), Artifacts (vintage shopping), Revival (new and used vintage women’s clothing)
Looking for more? Check out Iowa City Downtown District.