There has been some confusion about the name of our dance club. That's because it's nick-name, Next Gen, has become popular. It's easy to say and it's very current.

However, the legal name of the club is The Next Generation Swing Dance Club. This is the official corporate name that appears in all legal and corporate documents including contracts, finanlcial papers including our checks, By Laws, membership forms, etc.

The name, The Next Generation Swing Dance Club, was conceived by the original founders in 1989. It's a brilliant choice because it instills newness, renewal, and keeping current. But try saying it fast three times or typing it over and over.

As such, you will often see use of the leading caps of the club's official name in print; TNGSDC. Interestingly, (and incorrectly) we sometimes see NGSDC. Not to get picky, but the word "The" is part of the organization's name. So the correct abbreviation is TNGSDC.

Here's a little historical trivia about deciding on the name of the club. The original founders held a meeting of interested dancers to vote on the club's name. Fifty-two people showed up for that meeting! In the end, it came down to two possible names: The Next Generation Swing Dance Club or Rock n'  Rhythm Swing Dance Club. The final vote was 27 to 25, in favor of The Next Generation Swing Dance Club. So in today's sound-bite, texting world, the club could have ended up informally being called "R&R" instead of "Next Gen".

About 2007, we started using the Club's nick name, Next Gen, on some of the club's media such as the NewsMagazine and the website. Use of Next Gen had been used in the community for years and it was time to put a more current face on the club. In some ways, the market drove the Board's decision to adopt the nick name, Next Gen.  It is easy to pronounce, easy to text, and has a more current feel to it. Adopting a corporate nick name isn't unique. A known local nick name was for Washington Mutual Savings Bank being called WAMU -- everywhere. The use of the nick name Next Gen is the same idea.

The corporation will always be named The Next Generation Swing Dance Club (TNGSDC).  So now you're all in the know --  all you Next Gen members!

The purpose of our Club is to encourage and promote all forms of swing dancing, especially West Coast Swing, the State Dance of California. Our philosophy is to foster a warm, encouraging, and healthful environment for new dancers and to create and sustain a sense of community among all swing dancers. We are a non-profit organization (contributions are tax-deductible) and the management of the Club and all its activities is done by volunteers. We especially want to encourage people who are new to swing dancing to become involved in the Club. Click the image to download the membership application.

Special discount for BbB tickets. $110 (instead of $125) in advance, or $130 (instead of $145) at the door. Only available for tickets reserved for club members. Please see this page for more ticket info!.

• Available to Members Only, you may purchase prepaid admissions in advance. We are offering 5 prepaid admissions for $30, a savings of $5 (regular membership price is 5x$7.00=$35).

• Discounted admission to the Club's monthly dances (except special events).

• Discounted admission to dances of reciprocating swing dance clubs.

• A monthly calendar and newsletter.

• A Dancers Directory listing the name, city, phone # and e-mail address of Club members.

• Access to tickets for numerous swing dance conventions and special events.

• Borrowing privileges from the Club's video library (videotapes of conventions and competitions may be borrowed at any Club dance--a check deposit is required)

• Household membership for individuals living at the same address and willing to receive one copy of the monthly newsletter per household

Please complete the e-form application and send to the address above.. If you have any questions about the Club in general, membership benefits, or a specific Club event, please e-mail us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it