Would you like to dance? The answer is always yes at Pensacola Swing Dance Society, thanks to founder and small buisness owner Justin Grubbs.
Every Monday night at Ragon Hall, young adults 18 to 25 walk in for free.
No partner required, no experience needed. Just $10 for everyone else, and a free lesson at 7pm. Teenagers from 16-17 are also admitted for free as long as there is parental participation.
That’s by design.
(Justin Grubbs teaching)
"I remember thinking I can't go to the dance because I don't have five dollars, but I can go to the bar," Justin Grubbs, founder of Pensacola Swing Dance Society said. "I should have gone to the dance. So that's why we do Monday the way we do it."
Grubbs started dancing at 12. He certified as an instructor at 17 for a high school senior project.
Now he and his wife Taylor Morton host a dance every Monday, adjusting the playlist to the room.
(Several couples competing)
"Every single Monday, every single Saturday, there are different people in it," Grubbs said.
There’s no guaranteed floor-filler. Except one.
"The king of pop is still the king of pop. If you play a Michael Jackson song that floor fills up."
Grubbs teaches West Coast swing. He calls it a "sociopath" dance because it has no single identity.
"It was created to be able to dance with anybody," Grubbs said. "It's based around basic movements. A walk, step, triple."
To Grubbs, the biggest lie in partner dance is that you need a partner to show up or get good.
"The actual hard work is not practicing with a partner but practicing alone," Grubbs said. "Balance. You being able to control your own body."
(Pros in town showcasing danced for Old School attendees)
The advice to nervous newcomers: "You came there for the same reason and that was to have a good time. Dancing is just a byproduct.
That mindset is scaling up.
They just hosted "Kick-It-Old School," their second full weekend event of the year. Pros came in from all over the country.
"US Open champions. Living legends," Grubbs said. "It was an absolutely amazing weekend."
In May they run "Pro-Am In Paradise." The 5th edition is set for 2027.
Starting in October, Wednesdays at Ragon Hall become "Panhandle Country Dance Alliance" with lessons in two-step and country swing, featuring a new instructor in town, Gary Jobst.
Grubbs is also partnering with Pensacola instructors Todd Longsworth and Jamie Hoyt. They host a monthly class in Panama City as well as regular Saturday dances in Pensacola. Go to their monthly class, post a selfie with Todd or Jamie, get into Wednesday night free.
"We want other groups dancing with other groups," Grubbs said. "Instead of my slice and your slice, how about we put all the slices together and we get one big pie?"
Weekend dances are 1st Saturday at Ragon Hall and 3rd Saturday at old Sacred Heart Hospital. Pensacola Swing Dance Society can be followed on Instagram and Facebook as well as pensacolaswingdancesociety.com
Photo credits: Justin Grubbs
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