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Couples dancing at a Salon Series night while Lindsay Jordan and her band play live at Big Apple Ballroom

Salon Series

An evening of live music, art, and dance — with a place in it for everyone.

The old salons were rooms where people gathered around art and each other's company. Ours work the same way — with dance at the center. Each night brings live music (a quartet one time, a band the next) and something happening alongside the dancing: a tarot reader, an artist at work, a roulette table, a game of Dance Clue played with your own dance card to find the murderer. Each evening opens with a group class, included in your ticket, so you'll have something to dance by the time the music starts — and if you'd rather spend part of the night with the cards or the art, that's part of it too. Dress up a little; it's an occasion, and we'll put out a proper spread (drinks too). Our students come, and so do people who've never set foot in the studio, and social dancers from all over the city. It's a little elegant, a little strange, and made for meeting people.

Night to night

Every Salon Has

  • Live musicA band, a quartet, or an interactive music experience.
  • A class to startIncluded in your ticket, so you'll have something to dance.
  • Something besides dancingTarot, art, a game — it changes every night.
  • Our instructorsOn the floor all night to dance with you.
  • A proper spreadFood and drinks, put out for the evening.
  • A reason to dress upIt's an occasion — dress up a little.

Upcoming

The Next Salon

Tuesday, October 27

Salon Series No. 6

Paola Cruz & the Band

Paola Cruz & the Band return for an evening of live music, social dancing, salon games and curated mischief — with tarot readings by Anya Katsevman, and the BAB costume contest to close the night. Come early: the 6 PM group class is included with your Salon ticket. Members can take the class on their membership, and the class is open on its own if you can only make the early part of the evening.

7:00 PM–10:00 PM · $70 admission · $56 for VIPs · 6 PM group class included
I started the Salon Series because I kept wanting to put things in the same room that don't usually end up together — a jazz quartet and a roulette wheel, a blues singer and a tarot deck, a murder mystery played out on dance cards. For me, dance has always been a way into connection that goes a lot further than grabbing a partner for the next song, and these nights are my way of sharing the whole eclectic, slightly weird version of that with you. Some of you will dance every song, some of you will spend half the night at the art table or with the cards, and both of those are exactly what I'm hoping for.
— Michael Choi, Founder

The archive

Past Salons

  • Salon Series No. 5 poster — Lindsay Jordan seated with an acoustic guitar in front of the Wheel of Ballroom
    Salon No. 5 · Sep 4, 2026

    Lindsay Jordan

    Wheel of Ballroom

  • Salon Series: Blues 'n Soul with Paola Cruz poster — Paola Cruz and her band in a blue and purple duotone
    Salon No. 4 · Jun 19, 2026

    Paola Cruz — Blues 'n Soul

    Photography and art

  • Salon Series No. 3 poster — a man in a wide-brimmed hat and dark suit against a blue roulette-wheel background, presented with AC Lincoln's Jazz Night
    Salon No. 3 · Apr 17, 2026

    AC Lincoln

    Dance Clue — solve the murder with your dance card

  • Salon Series No. 2 poster — Lindsay Jordan with an acoustic guitar in front of a wall of tarot cards
    Salon No. 2 · Mar 7, 2026

    Lindsay Jordan and her band

    Tarot readings

  • No. 1
    Salon No. 1 · Jan 31, 2026

    AC Lincoln and his quartet

    A roulette table

Photos

From Past Salons

A couple laughing mid-dance on the floor at Salon No. 3
Salon No. 3
Lindsay Jordan singing with her guitar, a bandmate beside her
Salon No. 2
A dancer in a movie-print dress spinning with her arms out
Salon No. 3
AC Lincoln singing on a small stage with the upright bass and drums behind him
Salon No. 3
Two guests sharing a warm embrace on the dance floor
Salon No. 2
A dancer in red heels by the stage while the band plays
Salon No. 3
A guest at a candlelit table with a glass of champagne and a card in hand
Salon No. 3
A couple dancing across the floor under the studio lights
Salon No. 2
Two women dancing together, one in red sequins
Salon No. 3

Before you come

Questions People Ask

Do I need to know how to dance?

No. Every Salon opens with a group class, included in your ticket, and there's always something to do off the dance floor too.

Do I need to bring a partner?

No. Bring one if you like, or come on your own — Big Apple Ballroom instructors are always there to dance with guests, and meeting people is the whole idea.

What should I wear?

Dress up a little, whatever feels like an occasion to you. Wear shoes you can dance in.

What's included?

The group class, the live music, the evening's activities, and the spread, food and drinks.

How much is it?

It changes from night to night with the music and the program. Each Salon's price is on its listing when tickets open.

Where is it?

At Big Apple Ballroom, 78 5th Ave, 5th Floor, between Union Square and the Flatiron.

Come to the next one.

Bring a partner or come on your own — our instructors will be on the floor.

See All Socials Book an Intro Lesson