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 $30, 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 for more details and to purchase.

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.

Payments and Refunds

All sales of Sugar Swing are considered final. Full credit may be issued for advance payments only. Partial credits may be issued for partial use of a package.

All membership sales are considered final from time and date of payment. Memberships are valid for one calendar year from date of payment.

A class series is considered to be the sale of 2 or more lessons, and are sold as a package. Refunds may be issued for advance payments only. With proper notification, a credit may be issued for missed lessons at 50% per lesson. To give proper notification, one must contact Sugar Swing, via phone or email, prior to the start time of the lesson to be missed. In the case of sickness, bereavement, or other extraordinary circumstances, one must notify Sugar Swing up to 48 hours after the missed class to receive a 50% credit for that lesson. Failure to provide proper notification will result in a loss of credit for that class. The per-class credit amount is based on this formula: (Total Paid) x (1/N) X 50%, where N is the number of lessons in the class series.

Workshops, competitions, and exchanges are considered to be a package. Refunds may be issued for advanced payments only. Partial credits may be issued for missed portions of the package, and will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Sugar Foot Stomp event admissions, private lessons, group lessons, and all other services provided by Sugar Swing are final sale; no refunds, exchanges, or credits may be issued.

Credits may be applied to any class series, dance, workshop, or event solely organized by Sugar Swing. You may also apply the credit as a gift card and gift it to a friend.

Disputes, comments, and inquiries may be forwarded to Birkley Wisniewski. Please see Contact.

Drop-ins

Rates include GST but are cash/cheque-only after lesson 1. Please see the instructors prior to the lesson to introduce yourself and to pay. Exact change if possible! The rates are as follows: $20 regular, -$2.50 for members and for students. The drop-in rate applies to ALL cases where a dance student cannot make a full series. If possible, please register for the entire series to receive a huge discount and a dance pass!
Disclaimer: it's not recommended to drop-in to a level 1 series after missing the 1st lesson - the instructors will do the best to accommodate, but since lesson 2 onward builds on lesson 1, it's typically hard to catch up. But if it's your only choice, go for it.

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.

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