This story originally appeared in the 2025 Locals’ Guidebook featuring the Best of Jackson Hole. Pick up a copy today!
JACKSON, Wyo. — Jackson’s lively music scene, with its abundance of local bands, has given rise to a vibrant swing dance culture. Popular dance spots vary by the day, making it easy to find a place to swing at almost any time. Every Tuesday night at the Silver Dollar Bar, known as “Bluegrass night,” offers a lively atmosphere for dancing from 7:30 to 11 p.m. “Sunday Church” at the Stagecoach bar in Wilson is a favorite among locals and runs from 6:30 to 9 p.m. For those craving music and dancing almost any other night of the week, the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar offers plenty of both.
Swing dancing isn’t just about having fun on the dance floor — it’s a way for locals to build new connections. From twenty-somethings just arriving in Jackson to longtime retirees, dancing has helped form new friendships across generations. Dave and Josie, locals from Tetonia, Idaho, who say they’ve danced in every room of their house, enjoy meeting new partners on the dance floor and teaching others at Dave’s Pubb.
Jackson resident Jackie, age 70, found a new sense of community through swing dance lessons at the Cowboy Bar after her partner moved into a nursing home in 2020.
“It changed my life,” she says. “It was a process, trying to start new. … I never in my life thought I’d dance, but here I am. It’s fun, it makes me smile and the people are the best.”
For newcomers like Oliver Kendall, age 22, who only recently moved to Jackson, swing dancing has quickly become a part of his regular routine.
“It’s just a good community,” he says. “You see the same people every Tuesday and Sunday, or dancing out at the Cowboy.”
“Our entertainment is incredible for a town of our size.”
Rick Ellensworth
Dancers in Jackson display distinct styles, especially when comparing younger and older generations. Younger dancers often favor dramatic aerial moves, spins and dips, while the older crowd tends to focus on cleaner footwork, rhythmic movement and following more traditional patterns, such as the two-step, triple-step or waltz.
“Every partner has their own style,” says longtime dancer Casey Singer. “It’s a language, no matter where people are from. You can do it with anyone from anywhere and it’s never the same.”
Singer adds, “I’ve been dancing for 20-plus years in this genre and now people are learning new moves on YouTube and teaching me stuff.”
George Ryan, age 27, who sports a cowboy hat on every dance floor, enjoys the tandem nature of swing dancing.
“You can be a really good follower and/or a really bad lead, but it always takes two to pull it all together,” Ryan says.
For those new to the dance floor, the Cowboy Bar offers free swing dance lessons every Thursday from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Learning just a few moves can make a world of difference, and it’s easy to pick up more along the way.
“It’s one of the more intimidating things to do, but go up and ask someone for help,” says Ryan. “There are so many people in this community who are willing to help teach you.”
Local dancers say the key to true success on the dance floor requires letting go of self-consciousness and embracing mistakes.
“Go dance like nobody’s watching,” says longtime dancer Rick Ellensworth, who’s been part of the swing dance scene since 1985. “People don’t care about how you dance, it’s just about having fun. So get out there, smile and have some fun.”
The Jackson swing dance scene is a no-judgement zone, so don’t be shy — get out there and have a twirl!
