Portland, Maine · Every Tuesday Night
Lessons · Social Dancing · Good People
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A look at what Tuesday nights actually look like.
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Follow @RodeoSwingMaine on TikTokA Typical Tuesday
It's not fancy. It's country music, a dance floor, and a room full of people who genuinely want to have a good time — and who genuinely want to help each other get better at dancing. Whether you're out for the first time or have been coming for years.
Structured instruction every week in country swing — the footwork, the leads, the follows, and the moves that make social dancing actually fun. We cover new material every week, rotating through beginner concepts and more advanced patterns.
The music keeps going and the floor opens up. Country swing is the foundation, but the social naturally drifts into other country dance styles as the night gets going. Dance with whoever asks — our regulars make it a point to get everyone out on the floor.
Your instructors have been doing this for over a decade. You're in good hands — and they know how to actually explain things, not just demonstrate them.
The regulars here are invested in each other's dancing. Experienced dancers seek out newer people — not out of obligation, but because helping someone click with a move is genuinely satisfying. It's a community that gets better together.
Nope. If you come with a partner, you're welcome to stay together throughout the lesson. If you come on your own, we'll pair you with someone in the opposite role (leader or follower).
During class we rotate partners every few minutes so everyone gets experience dancing with different people. It's the fastest way to improve, meet people, and become comfortable social dancing.
We don't teach line dancing, but it's common to see it break out on the floor when the right song comes on. It's a shared floor, so if you're leading a partner dance, it's on you to steer clear of the line dancers.
The Details
Everything you need to show up with confidence.
Every Tuesday
Doors open for class at 7 PM. Social dancing runs til late.
Recurring WeeklyZero Bar & Grille
155 Riverside St, Portland, ME 04103
40′ × 60′ wood dance floor. Full bar. Abundant free parking.
Class 7–8 PM
Social dancing after — no cutoff time. All levels welcome at both.
$10 to Dance
Want to come watch first? Just walk in — watching is free. Pay the $10 when you decide you want to get on the floor. It includes a $5 food credit at the bar.
Water & Storage
Free water is available all night. No outside drinks, please. There places to stash handbags, jackets, and boots so you're not dancing around them.
New to This?
Seriously. "Beginner" isn't a qualifier for who can come — it's a description of most people when they first walk in. We plan for it every single week.
"The fastest way to get better is to dance with people who are already good at it — and the fastest way to meet those people is to show up."— The Rodeo Swing Maine approach
Good Floor Manners
Partner dancing runs on a few simple courtesies. It's how we keep the floor fun, safe, and comfortable for everyone.
Quick definitions: in partner dancing, the lead initiates and guides the pattern (traditionally the man's role); the follow responds to the lead's signals (traditionally the woman's role).
Traditionally leads ask and follows say yes — but anyone can ask anyone. A friendly ask is always welcome.
Follows aren't obligated to accept — and leads shouldn't take it personally. "Maybe next song" is a totally fine answer.
Either partner can end a dance early, no explanation required. "Thanks, I need some water" is a perfectly good exit line.
Leads are responsible for the safety of their follow and those around them.
Keep half an eye on the couples around you and give line dancers room. A crowded floor just means smaller steps.
Deodorant and fresh breath go a long way — you'll be dancing close to a lot of different people over the night.
If anything makes you uncomfortable at any point, tell anyone on the instruction team. We want to know.
However the dance went, a "thank you" at the end is the one etiquette rule that's truly universal.
What Dancers Say
“I’ve been looking for something like this for months. The atmosphere is so welcoming, the dancing is fun, and it’s a great way to meet people!”— AL
"My life feels a bit chaotic sometimes balancing everything, but this is something I look forward to and makes me happy."— NC
"Rodeo Swing Maine is led by some of the finest people around. They understand dancing and the social side of it just as well. The teachers are excellent, and the lessons were clear and easy to follow right from the start. If you're looking for something new to try, or just want to connect with good people over country music and swing dancing, this is the next big thing!"— BC
Who We Are
Rodeo Swing Maine started because people in Portland wanted a place to actually dance country swing — and didn't have one. So we made one.
We're in Portland, ME but draw from across southern Maine and into New Hampshire. If you've been looking for country swing or partner dancing in the greater Portland area, this is the spot.
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