The Beat Niq Jazz Club will be hosting lessons and live music

House Swing Band

Doors at 8, music at 8:30
$10 Cover

Wednesday May 7, 14, 21
Tuesday June 3, 10, 17
Wednesday September 10, 17, 24

Check out beatniq.com for more details!

Songs that the Shim Sham is usually danced to:

• Stompin’ at the Savoy
• Shim Sham Song
• ‘T’Ain’t What You Do

CHOREOGRAPHY: Each number represents one 8 count step

1. Stomp off starting to the right
2. Stomp off starting to the left
3. Stomp off starting to the right
4. Break

5. Pushes and crossover to the right
6. Pushes and crossover to the left
7. Pushes and crossover to the right
8. Crossover to left, Crossover to the right

9. Tacky Annie
10. Tacky Annie
11. Tacky Annie
12. Break

13. Half Break
14. Break
15. Half Break
16. Break

17. Stomp off starting to the right
18. Stomp off starting to the left
19. Stomp off starting to the right
20. Freeze

21. Pushes and crossover to the right
22. Pushes and crossover to the left
23. Pushes and crossover to the right
24. Crossover to left, Crossover to the right

25. Tacky Annie
26. Tacky Annie
27. Tacky Annie
28. Freeze

29. Half Break
30. Freeze
31. Half Break
32. Freeze

33. Boogie Back
34. Boogie Forward
35. Boogie Back
36. Boogie Forward

37. Boogie Back
38. Shorty George
39. Boogie Back
40. Shorty George

41 - end of song: Grab a partner and dance!

Juan Villafane and Sharon Davis Workshop
Calgary, May 10 - 12

and

——

The Big Beat Band
Playing Saturday, May 10
Mount Pleasant Community Hall
22 Ave & 5 St NW, Calgary, AB

——

Check out Sharon & Juan’s website
www.sharonandjuan.com

“Juan Villafane and Sharon Davis are performers and teachers of vintage swing and jazz dances. Juan hails from Buenos Aires, Argentina, while Sharon calls Perth, Australia home. Together they represent a diverse social and performance dance talent, including not only Lindy Hop, but also Charleston, Cakewalk, Blackbottom, Vintage Jazz, Breakaway, Balboa, Big Apple, Blues, Collegiate Shag, Burlesque and various other performance artforms of the jazz era. Sharon and Juan tour throughout the year, combining their loves for dance and travel.“

Classes for the Weekend will include:

• Hot Solo Charleston
• Hardcore Solo Jazz
• The Art of Improvisation
• Hit the Breaks!
• Leads only/Follows only (Slides and Burlesque)
• Exploring the past: Learning from Lindy-hops Greats

The classes will be geared at an intermediate level (level 2.0 in Calgary). If you are unsure of what this means ask Meghan (Calgary) or Julie (Edmonton).

REGISTRATION

Due to a shortage of leads there is now a waitlist for follows. Follows can still register and if space doesn’t come available will be fully refunded. Ultimately, it’s first paid first served. so don’t wait.

For weekend, one day payment or for the Big Beat Band only you can use Paypal

Your registration includes:
-Friday night dance at Carpenter’s Hall
-6 Workshop Classes (sat and sun)
-LIVE MUSIC on Saturday Night with the Big Beat Band!

All of this for the low low low price of ****** $80 before May 1st! *********
We can offer this exceptionally low price for a workshop weekend thanks to the contributions and support from the ALBERTA INSPIRATION WEEKEND. Thank you to everyone who was involved, teaching or taking classes.

Prices go up to $95 after May 1st so sign up right away!

There are several methods of payment
1. Paypal
2. Cheque to Swing Dance Calgary
506, 924 14 Ave SW
Calgary, AB T2R 0N7
3. Cash to Meghan (Calgary) or Julie (Edmonton)

In any of the above cases, please send an email to indicate:
a) lead/follow
b) need housing or can provide housing
c) can volunteer either night

CLASS DESCRIPTIONS

Hot Solo Charleston
The Charleston was the dance that captured the spirit of the 1920s, danced with wild abandonment across America and the world, ushering jazz dances into their place in popular culture for the next three decades. It’s also experiencing a huge revival in swing dance scenes around the world and, well, it’s a heap of fun! This class will give you a flexible repertoire of classic solo Charleston movement, an understanding of musical phrasing and some killer Charleston variations to bust out on the social floor. No experience needed.

Hardcore Solo Jazz
Get those feet flying! Learn some solo jazz moves that pack a serious punch! This is the razzle dazzle of solo jazz dance - killer footwork variations and tap-influenced flash steps, inspired by tap greats like the Nicholas Brothers, Berry Brothers, Eleanor Powell, Gene Kelly and Bill Bojangles Robinson. No solo jazz or tap experience needed, suitable for all levels.

The Art of Improvisation
Like jazz music itself, improvisation gives Lindy Hop its unique flavor. Like musicians, we improvise rhythms and movements to respond to the music and our partner. Through a series of exercises, Sharon and Juan will help you to eliminate redundant leading/following in your swingout and clarify your connection, to leave room for improvisation, musicality and styling. To put theory into practice, you’ll also learn some fun rhythmic variations to explore and start taking your dancing to the next level. Lindy Hop experience needed.

Hit the Breaks!
Learn some of Sharon and Juan’s favorite Lindy Hop breaks, for both the leader and the follower, as well as how to understand the music so that you can hit that break every time! Learn how to play with the intensity, style and rhythms of your breaks and communicate this to your partner, for exciting and dynamic musicality. Take away some cool new moves for the social dance floor, plus a whole new range of musical possibilities! Lindy Hop experience needed.

Burlesque with Sharon
Burlesque is the hottest trend in town, a type of performance bringing together a sizzling dance style with elaborate vintage costumes, cool retro tunes and a lot of sassy fun! As a dance form, burlesque brings together elements of vintage jazz dance, solo blues, exotic Eastern, African and Latin styles, chorus line dancing and Vegas showgirl, together with the theatricality of vaudeville and the art of the tease. In this fun taster class with Sharon, learn how to get in touch with your femininity and sensuality through dance and movement, and have a lot of girly fun at the same time!

Exploring the Past: Learning from Lindy Hop’s Greats

Join Sharon and Juan in a journey through the history of Lindy Hop. Want to breakaway like Shorty George, swivel like Jewel McGowan,layout like Frankie Manning, boogie like Sandra Gibson or swingout like Al Minns? Can you dance like they did at the Savoy Ballroom or at the Palomar, on the set of Hellzapoppin or at the Harvest Moon Ball? If you don’t know any of these names - don’t worry, you will! Watch the vintage film clips, explore the styles, learn some signature moves and footwork, and get inspired by Lindy Hop’s rich heritage. Whether you strive to dance just like the oldtime dancers, or you love to take your Lindy Hop in new, modern directions, knowing this history is the foundation every great Lindy Hopper needs!

SCHEDULE

REGISTRATION
For weekend, one day payment or for the Big Beat Band only you can use Paypal
Note: an account is no longer required to use paypal.

Questions? Email Us!

October/November Classes
These lesson sets have different durations. Be sure to purchase the one that’s right for you.

January 2008
Introduction to Lindy Hop (1.0) - 6 weeks (7.5 hrs)
Fridays, Starting Jan 8, 2008
7:30-8:45 pm
Instructor: Dave Parry and Meghan Gilmore
This is where it all starts. Jump in.
Price: $90/person

Lindy Hop 1.5 - 6 weeks (7.5 hrs)

Fridays, October 24 - November 28
6:15-7:30 pm
Instructor: Dave Parry and Meghan Gilmore
Build on your technique from 1.0 and pick up a few more moves. This class places stronger emphasis on leading and following with the aim of getting more enjoyment out of the dance floor.
Price: $90/person

Int/Adv Lindy Hop (2.5) - 4 weeks (5 hrs)
Wednesdays, November 5 - November 26
6:30-7:45 pm
Instructors: Robert Hein and Meghan Gilmore
Challenge your lead/follow skills, practice rhythm variations and adapt to extreme speeds (fast and slow)
Price: $60/person

Beginner Swing (1.0) - 4 weeks (5 hrs)
Wednesdays, November 5 - November 26
7:45-9:00 pm
Instructors: Robert Hein and guests
These classes are designed for the beginner dancer who wants to gain some confidence on the social floor and have a blast learning some classic moves of Swing, Lindy Hop, and Charleston. No experience is necessary.
All gender combinations of dancers are welcome.
Price: $60/person

Please Note:
You do not require a paypal account to pay by credit card via paypal. It’s true!

You are not registered in a class until we have received payment. For classes that are waitlisted, you claim your place on the waitlist by paying. Should you not get in you will be fully refunded. If you must withdraw, we do require notice 10 days prior to the start of the class in order to be refunded. Please email classes@swingdancecalgary.com if you have questions.

See our FAQ page for more answers.

All of Swing Dance Calgary’s classes and the 10th Street Stomp happen here:

The Carpenters’ Hall
301 10 St. NW
Kensington, Calgary

This welcoming old hall in the middle of Kensington has become our home. With its hardwood floors and large stage it’s a great location for weekly dances and also live bands. It is block away from Sunnyside C-train station and close to many lovable pubs and restaurants. Parking is available on the north side of the hall, and can be reached from the back alley behind.

View Larger Map

Level 1.0 - Beginner
Here it is, Lindy Hop! The ultimate swing dance. This is where it all started, and where it starts for you. Actually it started with Charleston, and before that… okay forget it. We’re starting with what makes Lindy Hop, from the ground up–not to mention the music.

Level 1.5
This class builds from Level 1.0. If you have substantial experience with other dances and pick them up quickly then this might be the place to start for you. It continues from the introduction to Lindy Hop and will give you more moves and turns, make the movement feel more natural and lift your confidence and your ability to begin to deliver on the floor.

Level 2.0
Time to take it farther. You’ll learn core technique to help you feel what you want to do. These fundamentals will be covered within a variety of moves, turns, spins, and footwork. You’ll learn more about how to lead and follow, how to use the material and how to start enjoying that music the way you expected and in ways you haven’t conceived of. At this level the classes will have varying themes, maybe more energetic, maybe more bluesy or a particular combination of themes.
Due to the diversity and complexity of the material there is no repeat rate at this level.

2.5 Lindy Hop/Charleston
If you already feel comfortable on the dance floor and you’re looking to really excel, this is the class for you. It is for those who have been dancing for at least a year and have taken several workshops. You’ve got a strong base in Charleston (20’s, 30’s, tandem and more) and you can execute 6 count and 8 count patterns with ease. This class will give you the opportunity to dance much faster and much slower, change rhythm variations and perfect your leading and following skills. It will also show you how to make the dance your own by creating your own patterns.

Charleston Mob Dance - You Drink Too Much
Learning this piece is a great way to a strong start in learning the energetic dance, Charleston. But watch out, you’ll sweat hard in this class! The dance is of a 3 minute song from the Charleston era entitled, “You Drink Too Much.” This is not partnered dancing. A mob dance is basically another word for a line dance, where solo skills can be pushed and individuality is encouraged. Bring a strong pair of ankles. Some dance experience is beneficial.

Do I need to register with a partner?

No, you do not need to have a partner. However, we do have to keep our lead and follow ratio balanced in the class to ensure everyone is participating as much as possible. If you register individually, you will be put on a wait list and admitted to the class as balance allows.
You are much more likely to get into the class if you register with a partner.

What is a lead and what is a follow?

These are the two roles in all social dance. Leads generally direct the dance and the follows respond to the direction. Typically leads are males and follows are females but we’re welcoming of either choice. Often you are considered a stronger dancer if you can do both.

Do I have to dance with people other than my partner in class?

Yes, in swing dancing we rotate partners throughout the class. We believe that swing is a social dance and that classes should have a fun, friendly learning environment. In this atmosphere people learn as much from each other as they do from the instructors. Rotating partners is important in learning to lead and follow and we strongly encourage you to participate. If you are not willing to rotate partners in class you may wish to consider private lessons.

What should I know before I step on the dance floor?

See our Dance Etiquette post.

What is the dress code / what type of shoes should I wear?

For the regular Friday night dances, casual clothing is most common. You will see everything from jeans and a t-shirt to a fun twirly skirt, so dress in what you feel comfortable. For shoes we strongly recommend starting out with a well-loved pair of flat shoes. Often times, starting out with worn down runners or old dress shoes are best. You want to be able to slide a bit on the floor, but as you’re dancing you also don’t want blisters! High heels, unless dance specific high heels, are not recommended.

Do you have a repeat rate?

Yes. If you repeat a 1.0 or 1.5 level class within the year (September to September) you will receive 40% off the class price! This will be refunded to you after your full-price registration is completed.