Hey everyone!
We hope your winter break was as great as ours! UMSwing is swingin' into winter with a jam packed schedule full of music, dancing, and learning. Keep reading for the low down on the best classes, workshops, and live music events in town.
20th Anniversary Open House - January 22nd, 7:00 pm, Multi Purpose Room University Center.
Come and dance during the biggest swing dance party in Winnipeg! We'll have games, prizes, free lessons, choreography, and this year we have live music from the FRC Senior Jazz Band! Bring friends, colleagues, family, and strangers off the street! Or come alone and dance the night away.
We are looking for volunteers to help us with set up, tear down, and welcoming people at the door. Please reach out to us (facebook, email, in person, etc) if you would like to volunteer!
Classes start on January 27 and will run on Monday and Wednesday evenings. We're offering Jive and then Free Practice on Mondays, and Lindy Hop and then Charleston on Wednesdays. Click on our Lessons page above, or keep reading for class times and descriptions. Class locations 202 St. John's College.
Jive - Wednesdays 6:00 - 7:30 with Joseph Pilapil
Jive is a lively dance, easy to learn and fun to do! The quick footwork is composed of simple steps and can be danced to both fast and slow tempos. In swing this dance is typically danced to rock and roll music from the 40's and the 50's. This course will be packed with moves that build on each other, to get the most out of your easy footwork!
Free Practice - Mondays 7:30 - 9:00
This is a time dedicated to all of our students for practice! It doesn't matter which course(s) you are in, just come to the classroom for some free social practice with your peers! Every time you come, bring your Saturday Swingout punch card and we will punch it for you, bringing you one step closer to a free pie!
Lindy Hop - Wednesday 6:00 - 7:30 with Alex Harland
Lindy Hop is the main swing dance style, evolving from dances of the 1920's and 1930's it was at its most popular during the big band era, originating in Harlem, New York. This energetic, expressive dance is danced as a improvised partnership making it extremely fun and constantly surprising to dance - in the best way possible!
Charleston - Wednesday 7:30 - 9:00 with Oli Deans
Charleston can be a very high energy dance, so get ready to sweat! It is often characterized by the kicks which dominate the basic step and can be danced as a partnership or alone as a solo jazz dance. In this class, you will be learning the basics of dancing with a partner, and how to incorporate authentic solo jazz moves into your partner dancing. Develop your dance vocabulary and bridge the gap between partner and solo dancing! This style of swing dance lends itself well to styling, improvisation, musicality, and jam circles.
Don't forget to come to the Open House for exclusive discounts on courses. We'll see you on January 22nd at 7 pm!
