Out Dancing

Join us during Pride Week for a special evening of dancing and festivities, including a photo booth! The evening will begin with a 45 minute introductory swing dance lesson, followed by dancing, dancing, DANCING--and all for FREE!

If you’ve ever wanted to learn partner dancing, now is the time to do so in an open, welcoming environment. No dance experience or partner required, so come learn to swing dance, meet some friendly people, and dance the night away with us! 

Please bring indoor shoes, and refrain from using scented products.

This is a Halifax Pride community funded event.

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Date is Wednesday July 25th
Doors open at 7:00pm
Beginner lesson from 7:30 to 8:15pm
Music ends at 10:30pm


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Hoppin' at the Harbour - a Lindy Hop and Swing Dance

We are so excited to be back dancing under sunny skies and smelling that fresh sea breeze! Join us from 6:30 to 8:30 every Tuesday this summer at the gazebo on the waterfront (just down Morris Street) to dance to some swingin' tunes!

Cover: $5 or pay what you can

Rainy day plans: the party will move to Menz & Mollyz on a case-by-case basis (to be announced by Monday evening). Please check the Facebook events page for the latest information on where the dance will be held: http://www.facebook.com/events/383064388862697/?ti=ici

Break It Down Now: Deconstructing a Swing Out

Ah the swing out - the one thing we need right is the one thing we can never get right, am I right?

Let's all come together and get into the nitty gritty details of our swing outs, one beat at a time.

Sounds of frustration and exasperation are not only encouraged, but expected.


Date: Wednesday, July 11
Location: Happy Soul Dance Studio
Time: 7:15pm-8:45pm
8:45-11 pm **unstructured social/practice (BYOMusic, $2)
Teacher: Gaby Macklin
Cost: $10 or pay what you can


**SOCIAL/PRACTICE INFO
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Brigitte has kindly offered to let us use the Happy Soul studio until 11pm by asking that anyone who stays pays $2. This means that even if only 4 people want to stay, those people only need to pay $2/each and they can use the space, ie if there aren't many people, we would not need to cover the regular room rental after 8:30pm.

Sometimes I will be there to host; sometimes I won't, so if you want to stay, please bring your own music to practice!

Shim Sham Flash Mob

We want YOU for our shim sham flash mob! Help us celebrate World Lindy Hop Day and the birthday of Frankie Manning, one of the original lindy hoppers, with a series of Shim Sham performances in some of our city's nicest outdoor locales. We will meet at Halifax Public Gardens at 1:00, before moving to the Commons, and, finally, the waterfront. This will be followed in the evening by a special edition of Swing Factory to celebrate World Lindy Hop Day.

Don't know the shim sham or aren't interested in performing? We need people to film the dancers! Message us if you have a camera (or have high quality video on your phone) and are interested in filming the event!

Lindy Hop Connection Exercises and Guided Practice

::: Open to ALL DANCERS :::

Come learn how to improve your following and leading technique for swing outs, charleston, and more! Good lindy hop connection is like a great conversation in which the language is clear, expressive, and vibrant. This class will include specific drills and exercises to build those conversational skills. There will also be time for one-on-one feedback with Jessie to work on specific moves. 

Date: Wednesday, May 16th
Location: Happy Soul Dance Studio
Time: 7:15pm-8:45pm
8:45-11 pm **unstructured social/practice (BYOMusic, $2)
Teachers: Jessie Litven
Cost: $10 or pay what you can


**SOCIAL/PRACTICE INFO
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Brigitte has kindly offered to let us use the Happy Soul studio until 11pm by asking that anyone who stays pays $2. This means that even if only 4 people want to stay, those people only need to pay $2/each and they can use the space, ie if there aren't many people, we would not need to cover the regular room rental after 8:30pm.

Sometimes I will be there to host; sometimes I won't, so if you want to stay, please bring your own music to practice!

SWING OUT! at Menz & Mollyz

Get your weeknight swing dance on at Menz & Mollyz--every second week starting March 6th! The first night will have an introductory lesson for any newcomers to the dance, so join us and swing out proud 😉

No experience or dance partner necessary. 19+

Introductory lesson: 6:15 - 7:00
Music and dance: 7:00 - 8:30
Cover: $5 or pay what you can

Learn the new STS 2018 Moves with Pri & Jessie

::: Open to all dancers that can do swing-outs:::

Did you miss Fredericton's Swingin' to Spring workshops? Were you there, but want to practice what you learned? Come join us for a detailed review of Daryl and Jen's moves that were presented, including the awesome Frankie Manning swingout sequence!

(If we don't get through all the material, we'll add another class!)

Date: Wednesday, May 2nd,
Location: Happy Soul Dance Studio
Time: 7:15pm-8:45pm
8:45-11 pm **unstructured social/practice (BYOMusic, $2)
Teachers: Priyanka Saira Varkey and Jessie Litven
Cost: $5 if you went to STS, $15 if you are learning these for the first time (or pay-what-you-can: no one turned away!)

We will need a minimum of 12 participants to run this class, so please say "going" if you are planning to attend. Head to the following Facebook event link and select "going" to let us know you'll be attending!

Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/416094492150657/

Prerequisites: being familiar with 6 and 8-count movements such as tuck turns, swingouts, and lindy circles

What we'll learn/practice over the course of these reviews:
- Frankie Manning sequence
- Swingout variations ala Al Minns & Frankie Manning
- Sailor Kicks
- More choreo-incorporated lindy


**SOCIAL/PRACTICE INFO
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Brigitte has kindly offered to let us use the Happy Soul studio until 11pm by asking that anyone who stays pays $2. This means that even if only 4 people want to stay, those people only need to pay $2/each and they can use the space, ie if there aren't many people, we would not need to cover the regular room rental after 8:30pm.

Sometimes I will be there to host; sometimes I won't, so if you want to stay, please bring your own music to practice!

Mark's Moves Lindyhop Workshop - Part 3

Although recommended, it's not necessary to have done previous Mark's Moves workshops

Mark's Moves - Lindy Hop Workshop Series
with Mark Manser and Jessie Litven

Date: Wednesday, March 28th,
Location: Happy Soul Dance Studio
Time: 7:15pm-8:45pm
8:45-11 pm **unstructured social/practice (BYOMusic, $2)
Teachers: Mark Manser and Jessie Litven
Cost: $15/person/class

Back by popular demand! In this class, we will expand even more on our lindyhop repertoire.

We will need a minimum of 14 participants to run this class, so please say "going" if you are planning to attend.

Prerequisites: You must have a solid grasp of lindyhop fundamentals appropriate for anyone who feels firmly comfortable with all the following forms:
- Basic forms (tuck turn, sugar push, side passes, lindy circle, swing out).
- Ability to lead/follow 6 and 8 count rythms.
- Side-by-side charleston.

We'll expand on the previous "Mark's Moves" with time to both revisit moves learned in November as well as learn new movements rarely seen in our scene. This time, there will be more time per move, practicing the connection & technique needed for each move and locking in the ability to do it in the wild:)

What you'll learn:
- To lead/follow a bunch of moves in many different positions and orientations
- Styling/Variations on moves
- Patterns (sequences of moves)
- Some of Mark's secret tricks that make dancing easier and more comfortable


ABOUT MARK
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Mark started dancing Lindy Hop in 2008 with the DalKing's Swing Dance Society. Over the last 9 years he has taught each level of LindyHop and Blues offered by the society. He doesn't teach much anymore, so come take advantage of this rare opportunity to learn from one of Halifax's best!

PUCKER UP WITH DALKING'S SWING

Date: February 14

Lesson 7:00 pm to 7:45pm

Social Dance: 7:45 pm to 10 pm

Admission: free

Address: Garrison Brewery, 1149 Marginal Rd, Halifax, NS B3H 4P7

Come down to Garrison Brewing Valentine's evening for a introductory dance lesson starting at 7:00 with social dancing starting at 7:45!

Have fun dancing while celebrating the launch of a Garrison fan favorite beer: Pucker Up!

Free admission and beer samplers for $2. 

Balroomin' Blues

Join us for an 8-week session on various kinds of ballroomin’ blues—an elegant but relaxed form of dancing to early blues and jazz blues music. We’ll spend time working on Slow Drag / walking blues, Strut, Savoy Walk, and Latin blues. 
No previous blues dancing experience is necessary, but experienced dancers will learn more about blues dance techniques and moves. (You’ll find that dancing other dances such as Lindy, Balboa, and Latin dances can contribute ideas to ballroomin’ blues and can benefit from ideas from the blues.)

Check out a beautiful example of ballroomin’ blues here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYtf5Tfdi_w

Cost for the 8-week session : $55 for community members and $35 for students.

Bal in Hal - Beginner Balboa Series!

Cost:  $20 for students, $30 for community members
Experience: All levels welcome!

We need a minimum of 14 people to run the class, so please mark your interest now. Registration link will be posted shortly, and you don't want to miss this intro to Balboa!

Do you want to try out the slidy-skating-silkiness of Balboa? This dance developed when lindyhop had to get small on the dancefloor, but the tightness, flow, and precision of this dance is a joy to experience. 

*No previous experience necessary* 

Jessie Litven will be guiding you through the basics of balboa from scratch, learning up-hold and down-hold basics, come-arounds, and other balboa foundations.

7:00pm lesson
8:30pm bal practice/social


Watch some pro bal for some awe: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DdHN3Uf4lNY

Mark's Moves Workshop Series

Space is limited! We will only have capacity for 10 leads and 10 follows. The registration link will be posted soon, so stay tuned so you don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to learn from one of Halifax's best swing dancers!

Cost: $10/person/class

November 8th & 15th - Intermediate Workshops
Intermediate is appropriate for anyone who feels firmly comfortable with all the following forms:
- Basic forms (tuck turn, sugar push, side passes, lindy circle, swing out).
- Ability to lead/follow 6 and 8 count rythms.
- Side-by-side charleston.

What you'll learn:
- To lead/follow a bunch of moves in many different positions and orientations
- Styling/Variations on moves
- Patterns (sequences of moves)
- Footwork
- Some of Mark's secret tricks that make dancing easier and more comfortable

Format:
- We'll cover as many moves as possible in the 2 hours. 
- At the end we'll record a recap of everything we covered so you can practice at home.

About the instructor:
Mark started dancing Lindy Hop in 2008 with the DalKing's Swing Dance Society. Over the last 9 years he has taught each level of LindyHop and Blues offered by the society.
He doesn't teach much anymore, so come take advantage of this rare opportunity to learn from one of Halifax's best!

Seaside Shimmy →

Ready, Set, Sail! 

To Halifax's Lindy Hop & Blues Weekend!

Save the date as we welcome another weekend of dancing in Halifax November 17th to November 19th!

Click here for more information!

Last Waterfront Dancing social moved!

Because of expected rain tomorrow evening, we're moving the last Waterfront Dancing event to next Tuesday, Sept. 26.

This will be the final opportunity for Waterfront Dancing. There will not be a rain date. If we have to cancel the event again because of rain on the 26th, Waterfront Dancing is done for this summer since the days are getting shorter and shorter and sometimes colder. So everyone, do the sun dance for next Tuesday!!!!

Spring Swing Modules

Located at Happy Soul Dance Studios, 3089 Oxford Street, 2nd floor, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3L 2W8

Prices: $25 Community Members, $15 Students

Prerequisite: At least one semester of Level 1 Lindy Hop

Timing: Wednesdays 7:15-9:15 pm

Expand your swingrizons to learn different styles, fancy footwork, crazy choreos, connection, technique, and more. Swing Modules are a series of 3-4 progressive classes. Each module will focus on a different style or theme. It is helpful if participants can attend all or most classes of a module.

MODULE 3: UP YOUR TECHNIQUE, FREE YOUR LINDY HOP SPIRIT, With MARK MANSER & JESSIE LITVEN

Wednesdays May 17 to June 7

7:15 pm to 9:15 pm

This will be a unique opportunity to get one-on-one instruction time while also having the class-like setting to practice what you learn with other dancers. While group classes are helpful, because every dancer is different and all of us have our personal strengths and challenges, sometimes it is much easier to have direct instruction from teachers to help your dancing get to the next level. This class combines both!

Each 2-hour class will include three elements:

  • learning specific exercises to help you with various elements of Lindy hop such as lead-follow connection, musicality, movements, and balance
  • receiving a 15-20 minute slot for a mini-private with both instructors
  • practicing the exercises and whatever came up in your one-on-one session with fellow dancers

These lessons are appropriate for all post-level-one dancers. Drop-ins welcome, though doing the whole module is encouraged.

More modules to come!

Blues Switch Class

A 5-week “Switch” class that teaches people to dance as a leader, follower, and to switch between them.

Have you ever been at a major blues dance event where someone who wants to dance with you asks, “lead, follow or switch”? In this 5-week lesson set we’ll aim to develop the skills of dancers who have already completed a set of blues lessons (as a lead or as a follow) but want to seriously amp up their skills by learning the other role and the skills needed to switch seamlessly between the roles. There will be a field trip for blues on the week of July 10th as the Halifax Jazzfest is on - stay tuned for more to follow!!

The classes will occur June 8, 15, 22, 29 and July 6th.

Here’s some videos of switch dancing:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5gk-Y6RmPXo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKCUj-UK570