Curriculum and pricing | Buzz | Schedule and registration | FAQ

  • Q: What type of dance do you teach?
  • A: We specialize in teaching Lindy Hop, the original swing/jitterbug/jive dance. This is the dance you saw in Swing Kids, MalcolmX, and the Khakis Swing Gap commercial. We also teach other related types of swing dance such as Jitterbug, Balboa, Shag, Blues and Charleston! Dance lessons are given all year round.

  • Q: Why should I want to learn Swing dancing?
  • A: Simple! The swing scene is by far the friendliest and open-minded scene you will find. You'll meet lots of great people, get in shape and have tons of fun in the process! More and more people are re-discovering swing and jazz music, and learning the Lindy Hop, making it one of the most popular social dances today. Not only is Swing in Montreal, Swing and Lindy Hop are now a worldwide phenomenon, with dancers in the USA, Canada, France, Germany, Sweden, Russia, Japan, and many more countries around the world. Finally, dance lessons are a great way to meet people and socialize; you're guaranteed to make more than a few friends.

  • Q: What is "Cat's Corner?"
  • A: We take our name from a certain section of the famous swing-era Savoy Ballroom in Harlem, New York. The Cat's Corner was where the best swing dancers gathered to strut their stuff and to innovate. Among these pioneers were Frankie Manning, “Shorty” George Snowden, and Whitey's Lindy Hoppers.

  • Q: Who are the dance teachers?
  • A: Our staff of dance teachers is friendly, experienced, and adapts classes to your needs. In addition to regular class sessions, they also give private dance lessons, so take advantage of their knowledge to improve your dancing!

  • Q: Which class level should I take?
  • A: If this is your first time taking dance lessons, it is recommended to start with the “Intro to Swing” course. Please see the dance course descriptions to determine where you best fit in. If you are unsure about where to start, we recommend that you drop by our weekly swing dance evening to try a beginner’s lesson and talk to one of our instructors who will gladly help you pick your class.

  • Q: I don't have a partner, can I still join the class?
  • A: Yes. Both couples and singles are welcome to our classes. Many people register by themselves. Historically we have been able to maintain approximately the right gender balance. We do partner rotations frequently; these exchanges give the opportunity to the students to meet each other and dance with different people during the class. If you bring a partner and you don't want to rotate, that's fine too.

  • Q: In what language are the classes given?
  • A: We are true to our Montreal roots; our fully bilingual classes are taught in a mixture of both English and French. The majority of our teachers is perfectly bilingual and would be happy to translate for anyone in need.

  • Q: I am hopelessly lost. Can I take a private dance lesson?
  • A: We are available for private dance lessons, just contact us to make a booking. In addition, we're always available after class to help you out with problems or questions.

  • Q: What if I can't afford your dance classes?
  • A: Talk to us. Perhaps there is a nice trade we could work out with your skills. We don't want you to be left out during hard times; we've been there too! In addition, we offer discounts for full-time students. We also have a Volunteer Corps which receives discounts for their courses with an exchange of services. Send us an email at info@catscorner.ca if you are interested in this.

  • Q: What should I wear?
  • A: You should wear comfortable clothing and flat-soled shoes to your first set of classes. Eventually, many people decide to invest in accessories like dance sneakers. When you are ready to take the plunge, we will be more than happy to show you the footwear and clothing we find most effective.

  • Q: What if I miss a dance class?
  • A: In the beginner class, it's usually not a problem if a student misses a class, because each week, we review the previous lesson. In limited situations, if you know in advance that you'll be missing a class, we can make arrangements for you to attend an alternative class that week.

  • Q: Where do the dance classes take place?
  • A: Our dance lessons are given in a professional dance studio dedicated to swing. Directions can be found here. We are located at 3451 St-Laurent #3 in downtown Montreal, near St-Laurent and Sherbrooke metro.

  • Q: Where can we dance and/or practice?
  • A: Cat's Corner organizes social dance nights on Fridays. A beginner lesson starts at 8:30pm; the dance starts at 9:30pm and usually finishes around 2:00am. Your favourite Montreal DJs and special guest DJs spin jazz tunes for you all night long. Admission is only $8. The nights are organized by dancers for dancers. The atmosphere is relaxed; the music is great, and ideal for practicing and social dancing!
    In addition, we frequently host and sponsor special events for dancers. Join our mailing list, the Catmail, if you want to be kept up to date!

  • Q: Do you teach airsteps?
  • A: We do not teach airsteps (lifts or aerials) in class because these moves should only be used in performance situations. Airsteps are never to be used in social dancing and are in fact forbidden in most dance halls.

  • Q: Online Registration doesn't seem to work?
  • A: The registration system will work if you use a browser that is fairly recent and is in its default security settings. Make sure JavaScript is enabled in your browser. Try deleting your cookies or emptying your cache. If nothing else works, contact us. You can register by phone or email.

  • Q: Do you perform?
  • A: We are available for performances. Please contact us at info@catscorner.ca to discuss availability.

  • Q: Do you DJ?
  • A: We are available to play swing music for your engagement. Please contact us at info@catscorner.ca to discuss your needs.

You can also register by phone by calling 514-8-RHYTHM (874-9846) or by sending an email to info@catscorner.ca


Curriculum and pricing | Buzz | Schedule and registration | FAQ