Get jitterbugging and swinging with a swing dance party for your next corporate party.  Perfect for an executive or board member celebration, especially if they love dancing to the strings of Harry James and mellow moods of the Big Bands!

Invitations

Invite guests in style with a classy invitation reminiscent of the jazz age or Arthur’s Tavern or Lenox Lounge in New York City. 

Use one of these images (see above) as the front of your invitation.  Another fun option is a personalized music themed invitation.  Punch a whole in the corner of the invitation and attach musical note garland or a musical key chain.  Don’t forget to let guests know that they are going to have to boogie and should come dressed accordingly, swing skirts, bobby socks, men in Zoot Suits.

Welcome Area

At the entrance to the dance room, have an announcement sign that reads:

"Now Playing at (Celebrant's or Social Organization)'s Club Swing …”

Decorate this sign with photos of the swing band that is playing, similar to the signs that were displayed in the clubs of the day.

In the welcome area, use silhouette cutouts of jazz musicians playing the saxophone. Each should have a speech balloon, saying:

•  "The way he wails is a real gas!"

• "He really gets down on that horn"

• "He is one hep cat!"

• "He blows one hot solo!"

Next to these cutouts place a directional sign with arrows pointing to famous "swing" places:

• The Harlem Opera Club

• Garden of Joy

• The Douglas Theater (home of The Cotton Club)

• Congress Casino

• The Alhambra

• The Lafayette (Home of Bojangles Robinson)

Make an area for photos with a Jazz Bar Scene Setter.  If you want to use seating cards, use a saxophone graphic saying:

"You are sitting with the
Count Basie Orchestra
at Table No. _______"

(You can assign different tables with different band names: Duke Ellington, Fletcher Henderson, Tommy Dorsey, Louis Armstrong, Dizzy Gillespie, Count Basie, Woody Herman, Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman, and others)

Set up the seating card table in front the scene setter, if you wish.  On the table have a small sign say; "You cats better get to your seats!"  Hand out Swinging Pearl Beads to the ladies and black felt top hats to the cats.

Decorations

Turn the place into a Jazz Club fit for a Swing Dance party.  Hire a band that can play Glenn Miller, Duke Ellington, Les Brown or at least one that can play a Big Band sound. Set up a stage for the band and as the band backdrop display a sign with the event name and organization name and line it with lights.  Have the dance floor be front and center of the band with the tables lining the dance floor.

Tables: Instead of using large round tables, use smaller tables that fit about four people.  It will create intimacy and feel jazz clubby.  Options for the table would be black cloths with white napkins, white votive candles, and candy in the form of chocolate notes scattered on the cloth. 

Centerpieces:  Use a two-sided graphic of a saxophonist playing his horn (or a drummer at his drums), with the name of the band imprinted on it. Attach black and white balloons with some fancy ribbon work.  Another idea is to fill small glass vases with white lilies for centerpieces. 

Food & Beverage

Everyone is going to be doing the Jitterbug, Lindy Hop, Swing and maybe the Jive, who is going to have time to eat.  Make it a hors d’oeuvres and cocktail party, with a martini and olive bar, wine, and small tastes. 

Entertainment

The entertainment is the band and dancing.  But to make it even more exciting and fun, hire a swing dance instructor to teach everyone how to do the Charleston Two Step or Supreme Swing. 

Favors

Music note shaped chocolates with the company’s logo on it makes a great favor.  A CD with all of the Swing Hits also makes a nice gift.  Gift certificates to a local jazz club are a fun option.  Put all of the favors in a gift bag and hand out to guests as they leave.

Swing the Night Away!  The Party Girl!

Want to personalize your party with one of a kind invitations, cutouts, sign-in boards, candy bar wrappers and more? 

Take a look at Party411's Creations for You selection or ask the custom queen, the Custom Queen.

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