September Newsletter
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Director’s Message

Exciting things are happening at Sugar Swing this fall, and I wanted to take a moment and share them with you. It's been a few months since we moved into our new space on the bustling corner of 105 Street, and the club continues to grow in strength and numbers.

 
 
 
 

Exciting things are happening at Sugar Swing this fall, and I wanted to take a moment and share them with you. It's been a few months since we moved into our new space on the bustling corner of 105 Street, and the club continues to grow in strength and numbers.

In my mind, the most exciting thing I’m looking forward to is Lindy Harvest. It’s expected to change the shape of our scene -- it will lead us into becoming the biggest and best place for Lindy Hop in Canada! This is our biggest dance event -- ever -- with people already registered from the UK, Switzerland, the US, and across our region. Six world-renowned instructors are coming including Lennart and eWa, Davis and Claudia, Mark and Katie. It has become not only an all-levels weekend workshop (Beginner through Advanced), but also a one-week camp (Intermediate, Advanced, Teacher’s Training). The teacher training camp is highly anticipated to not only better Sugar Swing’s classes, but the entire Canada West; many teachers and high-level dancers in our region are attending. This is a prairie workshop for all, and I’d love to see you there!

Taking weekly classes is the most powerful way to improve: it combines regular learning, feedback, practice, and socializing into a fun weekly routine. I’ve put a lot of thought and effort into the layout of all our classes this term to ensure all our dancers can have solid choices to grow their dancing. It couldn’t happen without our crazy awesome instructors! With more than 25 weekly classes across Balboa, Tap, Jazz, Sweetheart Swing, Swing, and Enhance your Dance, I value my talented instructors very much.

Some things to consider...1) Tap now has three levels on 2 different days! 2) Lindy classes are now offered every day of the week! 3) Jazz 1 and 2 continue! 4) Lindy Hop 4 is also coming, and will be offered on Wednesdays starting September 23. It will be auditioned/level checked, and will be taught at an advanced pace. It will be equivalent in terms of pace to Mad Kittens and Mad Cat, but not performance-team oriented. 5) And finally, Balboa 1 is back!

Balboa is gaining momentum again and worth getting into! Every Balboa Formal now will include a drop-in intermediate class followed by a practice session. Balboa 1 is happening on Tuesdays this fall, taught by Tanzi, Gary, and myself. To top it off, I’ve invited Jeremy Otth and Laura Keat to teach for Sweet Bal Jam in February 2016!

Other Tidbits:

  • Performance Auditions: Auditions for our Lindy Hop performance class, Mad Kittens, and our solo jazz team, Big Time Groove is just around the corner. Check Facebook or scroll down for more info!
  • We have a new friend! Studio Church is now renting the entire ballroom every Sunday until 2pm. They’re good people, and it’s fitting that a former church is becoming a church again.
  • New Practice Room: We’re seeing an increase in rehearsal and rental bookings, which is really cool, but there’s still space left. We are developing a practice room downstairs, which should be ready to go next week. Come practice your dancing anytime, for real cheap!
  • I Love Lindy Tees: Ready to order! Log into your account on the Sugar Swing website like you would to register for a class, and you'll find a merch option.
  • Open House: Please come to our open house! Next Friday, September 11th. Scroll down for more info on that.
  • First Fridays, Third Thursdays, and the social dancer guarantee: all continue.

Happy Dancing!

Birkley

 
 

Open House

Learn About Our Club and Classes on Friday, September 11

  • No admission
  • Sampler Lessons in Swing, Jazz, and more!
  • Instructor Demonstrations & Performances
  • Social Dancing
  • Meet our instructors, staff, and our regulars!

Our very popular Open House kicks off the Fall semester of classes to introduce you to our line-up of our amazing instructors and fantastic dance classes. It's also a great way to experience a social dance in a welcoming environment with no pressure!

7:00pm - 11:00pm
Lessons, Demos, Performances every 30-45 minutes

 
 

10-Year Celebration Tees

Show your Lindy love with a tee specially made to celebrate Sugar Swing's 10-year anniversary! These limited-edition shirts are premium quality, luxuriously soft for your dancing comfort. The back features the Sugar Swing logo with a speech bubble that says "Since 2015!".

You can order a shirt when you sign up for a class or workshop, or you can get one by itself. Log into your Sugar Swing account on the website like you would when registering, and you'll find a merch button.

 
 

Mad Kittens Auditions

Interested in performing? Learning advanced technique and routines at a faster pace? Have strong skills and a good attitude? Wanna perform with Mad Cat Swing eventually? Then the Mad Kittens  Performance Class is for you! Over the coming weeks, we are auditioning for new students to join the class over the week of September 10-17. 

Click here to RSVP to the Facebook event, which gives details on auditions. If you know of someone you think should audition, please send them an invite!

 
 

Lindyhopper's Delight

Our Dancer's Guarantee

If less than 20 people show up to a dance, you get a free pass to any Thursday, Friday, or Saturday social dance!
*20 people including staff
*Tally and free passes handed out at 9:20pm Thursdays, 10:30pm Friday & Saturdays
*Applies to anyone who paid, used a pass or gift card for entry

 
 

Rhythm is our Business

A monthly series of Tap, Jazz, and Lindy Hop Jam Nights right here at Sugar Swing! Join us on September 19 in conjunction with our weekly dance.

 

Join us Saturday, September 5 for LIVE MUSIC
at our Sugar Foot Stomp!

Featuring the Joe Semple Swingtet

Lesson: 8:00pm ⎥ Dance: 9:00pm-12:30am

 
 

Upcoming Events

Check our Facebook page and website for upcoming special dance events at the Ballroom!

Practice Sessions

Saturdays at 6:00pm - 7:30pm

Sugar Swing hosts practice sessions every Saturday! For a mere ~$5 drop-in fee (or $3 if you pay for the dance that night), keeners and enthusiasts of all levels can participate in an open practice session of 1 hour. Visit the Practice Sessions@Sugar Swing Facebook page to see what is happening or to find a partner.

Easy Does It Dance &
The Jump Session

Thursdays are back on! First one is this week, September 3rd.

 
 

Weekly Dances

Thursday Dances – click here!
Friday and Saturday Dances – click here!
Volunteering – click here!

Thur Sep 3 - The Jump Session!
Fri Sep 4 - Balboa Formal! First Friday
Sat Sep 5 - LIVE Sugar Foot Stomp!

Thur Sep 10 - Easy Does it
Fri Sep 11 - Open House - Free Admission
Sat Sep 12 - Sugar Foot Stomp!

Thur Sep 17 - The Jump Session! Third Thursday
Fri Sep 18 - Friday Night Stomp
Sat Sep 19 - Sugar Foot Stomp!

Thur Sep 24 - Easy Does it
Fri Sept 25 - Friday Night Stomp
Sat Sept 26 - Sugar Foot Stomp!

Thur Oct 1 - The Jump Session!
Fri Oct 2 - Friday Night Stomp! First Friday
Sat Oct 3 - Sugar Foot Stomp!

 
LIndy Harvest

Lindy Harvest 2015

Click here to register!

Year seven of Lindy Harvest presents the return of the internationally-renowned Lennart Westerlund (Sweden) and eWa Burak (USA). They will be joined by Seattle’s lovely Mark Kihara and Katie McMullen, along with Montreal’s illustrious Davis Thurber and Claudia Joyal Laplante!

Options available:

  • Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced Weekend Track
  • Intermediate & Advanced Week-long Camps
  • Teacher's Training Week-long Camp
  • Teacher's Training Weekend Track

We will also be featuring Lennart, eWa, Mark, and Katie for an ecclectic mix of classes during the weekdays in tap, intermediate Lindy Hop, music training, history presentations, vintage hair, vintage make-up, and more!

 
 

Mad Cat Swing

This swing dance performance group sends out 2, 4, or 6+ dancers to entertain or teach people at both private and public events, such as continuing care centres, schools, corporate events, birthdays, weddings, and festivals. You name it!

 
 

Private Lessons

Turlough, Krystal, Birkley, and Amber regularly offer private lessons from beginner to advanced levels, either in their home studios or at the ballroom. Talk to them on the dance floor, or email dance@sugarswing.com and we'll put you in touch.

 
 

Venue Bookings

The Sugar Foot Ballroom is available to rentals and rehearsals! New rates are in effect as of May 2015. Check out Rentals and Bookings.