Frequently Asked Questions
If you take a class from us, Sugar Swing wants your needs and goals to be met: we provide a great place for learning and socializing, and you don't need to bring a partner. Instead of being treated as 'just another student', we will take the time to be personal with you!
From beginner to advanced, Sugar Swing offers classes for your level. It's a perfect setup: 1 hour 15 minutes per lesson for 4 lessons - and that's it! If you enjoyed the class, you can always take the next level.
Swing Dancing
It is a partnered dance, similar to salsa, waltz, polka, and other ballroom dances. It is a gendre, meaning that there are several types of swing dance such as Jive, Lindy Hop, or Charleston. It is typically danced to 1930's jazz music, but dancers always deviate and dance to music from the 1920's through to today.
Membership
The annual cost of a membership is $29, and immediately you may apply the membership discounts of $10 off all classes and discounts on every Sugar Swing event. You also gain access to an extensive video library of lessons, clips, class summaries. Please see our membership page.
Enrollment
We cap enrollment for a class at 24 students. We believe that having smaller class sizes will allow the instructors to solidify ideas, keep the classes running smoothly, and create a strong learning environment.
Partner?
No partner required! What? How does this work? First, we rotate leads and follows (ie, guys and girls) in class. Secondly, enrolment ensures we don't have more than a couple people out of rotation. Finally, if there is a shortage, the instructors themselves will become part of the rotation.
You have a partner and want to learn and dance with them? Do not worry - we skew the rotation timing so that you end up spending more time with your partner. If you are absolutely against this, then it's ok, you can stay with your partner.
Activity, Shoes, Clothing, Etcetera
Although swing dancing can be exertive, the lessons are not overly exertive. We teach material you can social dance with and really enjoy - nothing really fast, no crazy aerials, or anything dangerous. Footwear - mobility, comfortable, and it should not stick (though masking tape works wonders). Clothing - wear whatever you would for going out in public. As long as you're clean and not unsightly, you will be fine. Good hygene is encouraged - this cuts down on illnesses, and your partner will appreciate minty.
Aerials
Due to several reasons (risk of injury, requirement of a partner, requirements of rhythme, strength, and skill), we do not teach aerials in our beginner-level classes. Occasionally we will teach an aerials class to intermediate-level students
Why do people swing dance?
There are many reasons why you would want to swing dance!
- Lots of people to see and meet
- Good exercise while being super fun
- The music is great
- Achieve something - has dancing always been a weakness?
- Love to learn - lindy hop always offers something unique and new to learn!
Swing dancing (especially Lindy Hop) has become a very diverse and matured art form. Nonetheless, dancing is fun and cool. There are swing dance clubs in practically every major city - some are small, others are large. In fact, many individuals go on excursions to other cities to do workshops or just social dancing.
