Cat’s Corner – Wednesday Swing Dance Party in San Francisco
Come to Cat’s Corner and experience what San Francisco swing dancers have come to regard as a hip spot with unique charm. Guests enjoy dancing lindy hop, charleston, balboa, shag, swing and more to a rotation of weekly bands drawing from the best of San Francisco’s jazz and blues scene. A vibrant social atmosphere in a small bar setting provides the perfect ambiance to cozy up with a cocktail and connect with friends.
A Dance with Many Lives
They say a cat has nine lives—and Cat’s Corner has proven the saying true, returning again and again in new forms, new rooms, and new eras of San Francisco nightlife.
Originally founded in 2001 by Catrine Ljunggren, Joel Tornatore, and Elliott Donnelly, Cat’s Corner was shaped above all by Catrine’s vision. A member of the original Rhythm Hot Shots and a direct student of Al Minns, Frankie Manning, and Norma Miller in the 1980s, she carried a living connection to Lindy Hop’s Harlem Roots. Her dancing, teaching, and unmistakable Swedish-accented “Swing-lish” brought humor, warmth, and a deep sense of history that made her presence both quirky and unforgettable.
That lineage shaped the night itself. Cat’s Corner set out to be a place with ambiance—where swing dancing lived alongside music, cocktails, and conversation, and the room invited people to linger as easily as it pulled them back onto the floor.
El Valenciano (2001–2003)
El Valenciano was the original spark. Started by Catrine, Joel – aka DJ AppleMacDaddy – and Elliott, Cat’s Corner found its footing late at night. Around 11pm—after rehearsals ended across the city—the best dancers would arrive, and the real fireworks began.
A long bar drew you deep into the venue, leading to a cozy dance floor tucked away in back. Intimate seating, a friendly buzz, and a sense of discovery made the room feel alive. Some came to dance; others came simply to watch. Nathan was often there doing exactly that—admiring the dancers and absorbing what was happening on the floor.
Verdi Club (2004)
The move to the Verdi Club marked a brief, transitional chapter—fun, experimental, and short-lived, with world champion Lindy Hoppers Kevin and Carla serving as the featured dance teachers. While Cat’s Corner didn’t stay long, the venue would later host Tuesday Night Jump, which evolved into Woodchopper’s Ball, quietly linking Cat’s Corner to the ongoing history of San Francisco swing dancing.
El Valenciano was the original spark. Started by Catrine, Joel – aka DJ AppleMacDaddy – and Elliott, Cat’s Corner found its footing late at night. Around 11pm—after rehearsals ended across the city—the best dancers would arrive, and the real fireworks began.
Savanna Jazz Club (2006–2013)
Savanna Jazz Club was where Cat’s Corner truly took off. Nathan joined Catrine as a primary teaching partner, and together they shaped the night for more than four years before Catrine moved away. The dance floor was tiny, but the energy was intense and focused
In 2008, live music became a weekly fixture, transforming Wednesday nights into something dancers planned their lives around. Rotating bands gave the party momentum and identity, and dress-to-impress nights soon followed—raising the bar for style, musicality, and presence. After Catrine’s departure, Nathan continued the party, carrying Cat’s Corner forward as it became a defining institution.
Balancoire Restaurant & Bar (2014–2017)
Balancoire felt like a close cousin to Savanna—similar in scale, location, and late-night energy. A second classroom made space for advanced instruction, while the party leaned hard into playful, often zany theme nights. These years were creative and confident, marked by experimentation and a sense that Cat’s Corner knew exactly what kind of night it wanted to be.
Swedish American Hall (2018–2019)
Swedish American Hall marked one of Cat’s Corner’s grandest lives. The elegant main ballroom and additional classroom offered room to expand without losing focus.
The venue carried special meaning. Catrine, originally from Sweden, had explored Swedish Hall as a possible home years earlier—long before Savanna Jazz Club—only to be turned down. Returning later, welcomed and thriving, felt like a full-circle moment.
Valencia Room & Bissap Baobab (2024–2025)
Following the long pandemic pause, Cat’s Corner returned to the Mission District, revisiting its small-bar roots. A nearly yearlong run at the Valencia Room in 2024 was followed by a shorter chapter at Bissap Baobab in 2025. These nights were about reestablishing rhythm—reconnecting dancers, testing ideas, and easing the party back into motion.
A New Chapter at 435 Broadway
Today, Cat’s Corner begins its next life at 435 Broadway Street in North Beach. The new home draws together many threads from past incarnations—history, elegance, nightlife, and room to grow—while continuing the tradition Catrine set in motion.
