Swing Dancing in a Cave

 St. Paul, MN

Wabasha Street Caves

This evening we used the Jazz 88 Calendar  to find out that The Wabasha Street Caves have a live big band and swing dancing every Thursday night.  Donna and I took Swing Dancing Lessons before we left Washington and haven't practiced since so it was an awkward affair.  The teacher was great and the turnout was HUGE.  We were taught a more easy going swing than the West Coast Swing that we learned in Washington.  It was easier to dance to faster songs with fewer steps during the basic part of the dance.  It was harder for both of us to unlearn what we had already learned.  

After a 45 minute lesson that is included with admission ($10), a 15ish piece big band started playing.  They have been playing this venue for 25ish years so they sounded great.  There was also a bar selling drinks.  It was fun and I am sure we will go back.  Maybe I will practice at home so I am less awkward next time.

The Wabasha Street Caves were, apparently, a hot spot for bootlegging and speakeasies back during prohibition but they also claim the caves are haunted.  One of those things probably isn't true.

Tours are on offer when swing dancing isn't happening and you can even pay for a tour during the swing dancing.

Technically the "caves" are mines because they are man made.

You pay your $10 and enter the "Caves"

We arrived at doors opening so we could see everything before everyone got there.

The bar

I got a "Manhattan".  The bartender forgot to put bitters in it and then took it back and mixed some in.

At 6:15, the swing lessons began.

It was truly a big band, something you don't see that often for $10.

Later in the evening I had local IPA.

The Dance Floor was hopping!

There were also side areas where there was a bit more room to dance.

It was a fun evening of feeling like I needed to learn to dance all over again.  I am sure we will be back to at least enjoy a solid big band and maybe try our hand, or feet, at dancing again.

That's it for today.  If you missed, Can Can Wonderland, check it out.  We played mini golf and pinball.