The Verdi Club
Mariposa Street at Portero
Tel: 415-905.5712
I’m relatively new to San Francisco’s swing scene which has been thriving for almost a decade but really took off in the past few years. Most of the original swing hang-outs, like Club Deluxe, Café du Nord and Hi-Ball over the past year have become so crammed that dancers are piled almost on top of one another and leave with bruised shins from all the kick steps and flying feet.
But now there’s a new place for those hep-cats and their swing sisters to go and turn as many aerials as their hearts desire--the Verdi Club. This new dance hall is located on Mariposa (cross street Portero) with a neon sign showing the way. In front of the club, there were three beautiful vintage cars that looked like they had just been rolled off the factory floor and a few fellas in “gangster-style” suits hanging out on the stairs leading up to the club. This set the stage for what I was about to experience.
Entering the club was like falling into a rip in the fabric of reality. I felt like I was transported to some U.S.O benefit--there was even some fellow wearing a navy uniform and I felt this uncontrollable desire to buy war bonds. Men were in suits wearing snazzy hand-painted ties and spectators. Women were decked out with red red red lips with hairdos coaxed into pin-curls and Betty Page bangs. And I have never seen so many hats being worn in my life. There was not a table that didn’t have a fedora or two waiting for their owners to return from the dance floor.
I walked into the dance hall to find a live swing-band jamming to “Sing Sing Sing” and people dancing dancing dancing! The Stardusters, a band from Marin County, consisting of gentlemen who were all in band together at Marin High School and decided to get back together. And we are all so happy they did decide to visit their adolescence dreams of being in a big band.
I stayed for a few dances and a well-priced vodka gimlet, but I must admit I got the most enjoyment from watching the dancers. When I did venture out onto the dance floor I had a blast—sadly I have a shameless leading problem (damn girls school!)
There is something so delightful about seeing men in suits and women dressed to the nines flirting, laughing and dancing up a storm. I must admit that the energy in the Verdi Club was intoxicating and addictive. It was such a nice break from the average bar or Saturday night social experience. So give it a try and I bet you’ll be back again (and every time returning with a bit more of a retro dress/suit…).
The Verdi Club will be open for swing on Friday nights and the doors open at 7:30 PM. At 8:00 PM Work that Skirt, that SF dancing institution, offers a quick street swing dancing lesson that will have you on the dance floor jumping, jiving and wailing in no time. Call 415.905.5712 for more information.
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