St. Louis Imperial Swing Dance Club and Dance ala Carte became partners in an endeavor at Sports Café, a local dance habitat housing the Imperial dance community for over 10 years, to present instruction and open dancing for West Coast Swing Dancers January 2003.  Dance ala Carte worked every Thursday night, with six rotating DJ’s, offering St. Louis an in town West Coast Swing ‘weekly’ venue.

SLIDC decided in the Winter of 2005 to help the West Coast Swing community launch their own club. So, historically, with the help of St. Louis Imperial Swing Dance Club and the hard work of Dance ala Carte, volunteers were rallied to help in the inception of a wonderful 4 day launch party September 14-17, 2006 to kick off this historical venture for Saint Louis. Over 65 talented, creative and hardworking individuals worked for months to make this event successful.