Skip to main content.

Three Hour Workshops this August !

Swing 1 - Sunday, July 31 and Wednesday, August 3

A condensed version of our full Swing 1 course, aimed at complete beginners. This is the course to take if you have no experience in dancing and would like to start learning it properly right from the beginning. We will hold your hand through the basic swing dance steps and get you on the dance floor quickly. This course covers common Jitterbug steps, such as the Underarm Turn, the Cuddle, the Tuck Turn, and several basic dips and tricks. (Jitterbug is sometimes called "Single Swing" or "East Coast Swing"). Register!

 

Swing 2 - Sunday, August 7 and Wednesday, August 10

The material covered in this course is 6-count Lindy Hop (sometimes called "Triple Swing"). Some of the steps covered include the Sendout, Change-of- Places, several variations of the Tuck Turn, the Sugar Push, and two-handed maneuvers. Register!

The pre-requisite for this course is Swing 1. However, it is possible to skip Swing 1 and start your dance training with Swing 2 if you feel that you are a fast learner. Register!

 

Swing Rueda - August 19-26 (Friday nights)

This is a Lindy-based circle dance in which dancers switch partners and perform moves called by a speaker. Over two Friday evenings, you will learn both core and advanced Swing Rueda moves, which we will then practice afterward at the Friday night dance ! Register!

 

Shim Sham / Jitterbug Stroll - Sunday, August 21

Also taught in our Lindy 1 class, the Shim Sham is a 1930's swing jazz routine that is eternally popular among swing dancers worldwide. The Jitterbug Stroll is another popular jazz line dance routine, normally taught in our Lindy 2 class. Register!

 

Swingout / Basics Clinic - Wednesday, August 24

This course is aimed at dancers who have completed Lindy Hop 1 or higher, and will focus on refining all of the core movements of the dance, including the swing-out and the sugar push. Teachers will give individual feedback as well as lead the class through exersizes designed to develop and emphasize key principles. A don't miss! Register!

 

Madison / Big Apple - Sunday, August 28

The Madison orginated in the 1950s, danced to the Ray Bryant song "The Madison Time", with calls to specific dance sequences. The caller makes references to popular big stars of the period. Mainly done in a circular format, The Big Apple refers to a club in the 30s/40s called "The Big Apple" where dancers gathered to listen to the great players of the era. The dance is quite fast and is often danced to the song "Flying Home". Register!

 

Course Descriptions - Swing - Lindy Hop - East Coast - Balboa - Charleston

What Dance Course should I Take?

The normal course progression is Swing 1 > Swing 2 > Lindy Hop 1 > Lindy Hop 2 > Four Optional classes > Adv. Lindy

The accelerated course progression is Accelerated Swing > Lindy Hop 2 > Four Optional classes > Adv. Lindy

Students new to dancing should start at Swing 1.

Students who have experience in other dances, or who are fast learners, might want to consider Swing 2 or Accelerated Swing.

If you are unsure about which course to sign up for, we recommend you drop by our weekly dance and talk to one of our instructors, who will gladly help you determine where to begin.

Dance Course List

Our courses are geared toward those who have a desire to become excellent social dancers. With an emphasis on proper technique, musicality and styling, we will give you the skills you need to bring your enjoyment on the dance floor to its full potential.

Swing 1 - Intro to Swing.

A gentle introduction to dancing for complete beginners. This is the course to take if you have no experience in dancing and would like to start learning it properly right from the beginning. We will hold your hand through the basic swing dance steps and get you on the dance floor quickly. This course covers common Jitterbug steps, such as the Underarm Turn, the Cuddle, the Tuck Turn, and several basic dips and tricks. (Jitterbug is sometimes called "Single Swing" or "East Coast Swing"). Register!

 

Swing 2 - 6-Count Lindy a.k.a. Triple Swing.

This course will build upon the skills you have learned in Swing 1 in order to make you a smoother dancer with an increased emphasis on leading and following techniques.

 

The material covered in this course is 6-count Lindy Hop (sometimes called "Triple Swing"). Some of the steps covered include the Sendout, Change-of- Places, several variations of the Tuck Turn, the Sugar Push, and two-handed maneuvers.

The pre-requisite for this course is Swing 1. However, it is possible to skip Swing 1 and start your dance training with Swing 2 if you feel that you are a fast learner. Please contact us at info@catscorner.ca if you wish to enroll in Swing 2 without taking Swing 1.

This course is the pre-requisite for Lindy Hop 1 and Balboa 1.   Register!

Accelerated Swing.

For those who want to learn fast and now. In this course we will distill the most important parts of our curriculum from Swing 1, Swing 2, and Lindy Hop 1. There is no hand-holding here; we will get through the curriculum as fast as possible.

 

This course is perfect for those of you who can describe yourself as high-confidence, open-minded, extremely comfortable on your feet, and able to keep up. A heavy emphasis is placed on proper technique, which will allow you to pick up the missing parts on your own.

To qualify for this course you probably have previous experience with movement technique (perhaps you are proficient in other forms of dance, martial arts, or athletics).

This course is not suitable for complete beginners. If you have no experience in dancing and/or other forms of movement, please consider the normal course progression, which moves at a comfortable and sane pace. Register!

Lindy Hop 1 - Intro to Lindy Hop.

For folks who are new to Lindy Hop. The pre-requisite is Swing 2, or equivalent (Please read the course description from Swing 2 and email us at info@catscorner.ca if there is any doubt). This is also the course to take if you have learned some Lindy Hop from friends but have no formal instruction, as we will crystallize your knowledge into solid fundamentals!

 

In this course we will introduce the fundamental 8-count Lindy Hop steps, including the Charleston and Charleston variations, Lindy Circle, Swingout and Swingout variations, and the Texas Tommy. We will also learn the Shim Sham, a 1930's swing jazz routine and very popular among swing dancers world-wide! Register!

Lindy Hop 2 - Beyond Basics.

In this course we continue to build upon your existing elementary Lindy Hop skills by introducing the classical vocabulary of Lindy Hop.

 

In this course we will present, among other material, the Tandem Charleston and variations, Hand-to-Hand Charleston, Mini-Dip, the Switches, other open-position moves, and styling variations. Leading/following and connection concepts are brought to a new level. Elementary musicality is introduced. You will start to mix 6 count and 8 count dancing. As in every course we always work on our basics and fundamentals! The jazz routine presented as part of this course is the ever-popular Jitterbug Stroll.

The pre-requisite for Lindy Hop 2 is Lindy Hop 1 or equivalent. Register!

Routines and Choreographies - Pushing it Further.

In this class, we will continue to develop your dancing beyond the classical realm. Now that you know the classical movements of Lindy Hop, we will work on breaks, footwork, syncopations, improvisation, styling, partner connection, turning technique, and advanced steps. New figures and variations are introduced. In addition, the Madison jazz routine is presented. Register!

 

The pre-requisite for this course is Level 2 or equivalent. Register!

Charleston

Charleston is more than just a couple of steps that you can incorporate into your Lindy Hop, but is an actual dance in itself with so many possibilities. In this class, we will focus on the Charleston of the 30s and 40s, learn many different variations, and focus on more details of the basics. Register!

 

The pre-requisite for this course is Level 2 or equivalent. Register!

FastLindy (required) - Speed it up!

Want to be able to dance at elevated speeds without losing your lindy technique? In this class, we will learn, among other things, the technique of fast lindy. More specifically, we will explore all the core movements of Lindy Hop (swingout, lindy circle, tuck turn, etc...) as to how they translate into fast lindy. Register!

The pre-requisite for this course is Level 2 or equivalent. Register!

 



Other topics: Fast Lindy , Blues, Jazz, Collegiate Shag, Balboa , Twenties Charleston  , Hip Hop  , Swing Rueda , Isolations Movement

Advanced Lindy - Never The Same.

This level is the advanced course. In Advanced Lindy, there is no set script. Every Advanced Lindy course will be different, and tailored to the needs of the participants. There is a heavy focus on technique and styling. Your movement, leading and following, improvisation, and musicality skills will be brought to a new level. Many people choose to repeat this course several time, and they always find that it is continually challenging and fun!

 

It is very important that you begin to broaden your horizons at this point by social dancing and travelling to dance as much as possible!

The pre-requisite for this level is four optional classes (Routines and Choreographies, Charleston, Fast Lindy, and one of your choice) or equivalent. You should be comfortable integrating your dancing into the music, at a good range of tempos, and can usually hit the breaks. Register!

Note: As this course is never the same, no repeat discounts apply.

Explore Cat's Corner.