Beginner Lindy Hop (both roles and switch dancing) with Kate and Caroline!

REGISTER HERE: https://forms.gle/CGtwDrQJ3su4sLX97 (Email [email protected] if form link is unavailable.)

Join us for a 6-week all bodies/all genders beginner Lindy Hop series where you’ll learn to lead, follow, and switch roles mid-dance!

Lindy Hop is a type of partnered jazz dance under the swing dance umbrella. It was born in the Black communities of Harlem, New York City and achieved popularity during the swing era of the late 1930s and early 1940s. Known for being lively and energetic, Lindy Hop is considered a fusion of many dances such as vernacular jazz, tap, and Charleston. Today, Lindy Hop is a worldwide phenomenon enjoyed by thousands!

How our class works: Why learn to just lead or just follow when you can learn both? Learning both roles helps you gain a deeper understanding of partner dance dynamics and makes you a better dancer. During our classes, we’ll teach you how to dance the basics of Lindy Hop as both a lead and follow, so you can dance with anyone!

Class Dates: Weekly on Thursdays 6-7 p.m., January 30 - March 6, 2025

Location: Unite K dance studio in LIGHTUPK Edmonton Store: 10515 114 St NW, Edmonton, AB T5H 3J6

There is paid street parking directly outside and free street parking on 106 Ave. Street parking in the residential area on 114 street is free north of 106 avenue.

Cost: $90 for 6-week series; $25/class drop-in (We recommend registering for the whole series, as skills will build on lessons from previous classes)

In honour of the origins of Lindy Hop and the land on which we dance, a portion of fees will be donated to Ribbon Rouge and Bent Arrow Traditional Healing Society.

*Mask-friendly environment.*

Your instructors:

Caroline Cheng's (she/her) childhood foray into the arts began in figure skating. When she became too afraid of falling on the ice, she decided to try dance. As a child and a teen, she trained in the classic dance school trifecta: ballet, jazz, and hip hop. Caroline didn't get her start in partner dancing until she moved to Edmonton in 2010. After first dipping her toe into Latin Ballroom, she found her stride (pun intended) in blues and Lindy Hop. More recently, she has been putting her dance ability into the air through circus aerials, but she always finds time to put her feet back on the ground for some delicious dances. Caroline has been teaching partner dance since 2014 and loves breaking down complex ideas into basic principles for her students while encouraging fun and self-expression.

Kate Dawson (she/her) was put into dance classes as a toddler in a feeble attempt to make her less clumsy. Now, she’s only a klutz when she’s not dancing. She grew up dancing tap and ballet and found Lindy Hop in 2013. It was love at first dance. After quickly developing a Lindy obsession, Kate started teaching in 2015. Since then, she has enjoyed learning other dances including Balboa, Blues, Charleston, Fusion, Vernacular (solo) Jazz, and West Coast Swing. As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, Kate has taken a special interest in both-role and switch dancing as a way to break down gendered limitations and make the dance accessible to more people.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Do I need to bring a partner?

Nope! We rotate students regularly throughout the class so you have an opportunity to dance with everyone. Not only do you get to meet new friends, but dancing with different people helps you become a better dancer yourself.

Do I need to have previous dance experience to participate?

This is a beginner-friendly class, so no previous experience is necessary! We’ll start with the basics and work at an appropriate pace for the class.

I’m an intermediate dancer - can I participate?

While this class is geared towards beginners, we welcome anyone who wants to join us to revisit their basics, learn the opposite role from what they usually dance, or simply spend some time practicing and hanging out with some cool people! We’ll do our best to throw you a challenge here and there to give you a chance to level up your dancing.

What should I wear?

Lindy Hop is an energetic dance, so prioritize comfort! Wear clothes you feel comfortable moving and getting a little bit sweaty in. We recommend wearing shoes with good support and soles that allow you to pivot (suede or felted soles). INDOOR SHOES REQUIRED - NO STREET SHOES ALLOWED.

Should I wear a face mask?

It’s up to you! Please be considerate of everyone’s choice, masked or not.

Should I stay home from class if I’m sick?

Yes, please! Sharing is caring, but not when it comes to germs. If you’re not feeling well, please stay home and we’ll refund the cost of that class. We will spend some time reviewing past lessons each class, so you’ll have a chance to catch up on what you missed.

What other etiquette should I be aware of?

We’ll go over dance etiquette in class, but one thing we’ll highlight before you join us is the importance of consent. When it comes to social dancing, no dancer is ever entitled to dance with another dancer. We owe it to one another to always ask another person if they’d like to dance before initiating contact. Similarly, we owe to ourselves to provide an honest answer to anyone who invites us to dance.

More questions? Send us an email at [email protected]

Host or Publisher Kate Dawson