Swing, Blues & Tap
Register
For all dates and specific classes, please visit our registration platform on Amilia
The registration platform is on Amilia.
Create an account, sign up for classes, register to our Friday dances, events, etc.
We offer support anytime: info@catscorner.ca | 514-874-9846 | 1956 rue Frontenac
We’ll be happy to help with any questions regarding levels, discounts and more.
Dances we teach
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Lindy Hop
The Lindy hop is the original African American Swing dance, born of the new sound of the Big Bands popularised in Harlem in the 1930s and 40s at the famous Savoy Ballroom. It has a relatively simple and malleable form, which allows for a great deal of improvisation, rhythmic variations and self-expression of both partners. Many of us have been taught, either directly or indirectly, by Mr Frankie Manning, Ms Norma Miller, Ms Sugar Sullivan, Ms Barbara Billups, Mr Sonny Allen, Ms Dawn Hampton & other legends of the era.
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Balboa
Also sometames called Bal-swing, it is a partnered social dance originating in California in the 1930 & 40s and danced to Big Band music. In its purer form, it can be characterized by an upright posture and an intimate and elegant style, taking very little space on the dance floor. The dancer’s creativity is expressed more particularly in complex leg play and footwork. (see LA Swing, Bal Swing, Pure Bal for designations of different styles regrouped today under the generic name Balboa)
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Blues Dances
The Blues, in addition to being the most widely known form of Black music, is also the dance expression of everyday life. It affirms joy in the face of adversity, a dignified demonstration of human resilience. A myriad of stylistic variations exist, such as the Savoy walk, the slow drag, the Texas Shuffle or even the Piedmont triple; these social dances are highly improvisational and rely on the expression of rhythmn between partners
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Tap
Tap is a percussive and rhythmical dance in which dancers wear shoes with metal heel and toe. Rhythm Tap is considered to be part of the African-American jazz lineage due to its syncopated rhythms. The Hoofin’ style describes dancing where the performers keeps their feet close to the floor. At Cat’s Corner we are fortunate to have learned from the great Miss Swing, Ethel Bruneau, who carried on the legacy of her own teacher, Ms Mary Bruce. Ethel’s legacy lives on with her family (Majiza Philip, Suzanne Bruneau, Tisha Llewellyn) and her students (Travis Knight, Tanya Knight) who share her unique curriculum with us.
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Jazz Dance
Jazz dances is a generic name to call all dances danced to jazz music. Tap, Lindy hop, Charleston, Balboa etc are therefore jazz dances done with a partner or individually.
Jazz dance also often refers to the individual style of swing dances, commonly called “solo jazz”. Some call it “Vernacular Jazz”, “Authentic Jazz”, “Original Jazz”… to distinguish the dance from “Modern” or “Contemporary Jazz”, which were created for the stage by choreographers inspired by the “original” African-American dance.
We define Jazz dance the way Cholly Atkins described it:
“What I mean by « authentic jazz » is what they basically now call street dancing—things that black neighbourhoods came up with. We’ve been doing those moves for a thousand years!”
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Charleston
The Charleston is one of the most famous dances of the jazz era. It became a national craze with the Broadway show “Running Wild” and its most iconic song “The Charleston” by James P Johnson (1923), a musical description of the step performed by the dancers. The dance then took on new shapes with the development of Big Band Swing music. The lindy hop incorporates a plethora of charleston movements partnered and solo, very popular in faster tempos!
The Charleston most probably comes from Juba, which is an African dance brought to America by enslaved people.
The step lives on in many African American social dances such as Locking or Chicago Footstep etc.
Our Pricing
Drop-in classes
Friday night classes and solo jazz are offered on a drop-in basis, which means you can come anytime for a single class without commitment by registering online or at the door. The best choice for complete beginners in both tap & swing.
Class time: 60min
Cost: $20*
Pick a date!
Alternatively you can buy a multi-pass of 8 classes for $140 and get one class FREE. *do not include live music nights.
8-week beginner series
Once you have tried a Friday night intro to class, we recommend learning the basics over 2 months where you’ll have access to 3 classes/week. Come as much or as little as you like, this is the best way to learn the basics of swing dancing.
Class time: 60min
Cost: $175
Starts beginning of each month
Up to 3 classes per week including the Friday social on nights without live music
Monthly Subscriptions
If you want dance in your weekly schedule, sign up for a monthly subscription that keeps your registration rolling all season long. Start or pause your subscription anytime. The minimum commitment is one month of class.
Class time: 75min
Cost: $100 / month
Start anytime, even mid-month!
Add additional classes/week and get up to -50%/month. Email us to cancel an upcoming payment.
Projects
Projects are a season-long commitment that allow you to work with a set group of people, week after week and experience the thrill of building and sharing something together with your coaches and team.
Class time: 75-90min*
Cost: $125* / instalment
Start in Jan, April, July or Sept
The project has a fixed price for the season that can be split into instalments.
*Duration and price can vary.
Saturday Workshops
Saturday workshops are offered on a drop-in basis, which means you can come anytime for a single workshop without commitment by registering online or at the door.
Class time: 2 hr*
Cost: $40*
Sign up anytime!
*exceptions apply
Practices
Monday to Thursday, you can take advantage of an open floor & music to come practice from 5-6pm.
Practice length: 1 hr
Cost: Free* or $5
Come anytime!
*free with an active subscription or project enrolment
Class Descriptions
Beginner
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We teach the very basics of partner dances done to swinging jazz and blues music.
The best way to get started is to join a Friday night intro class. It’s the start of a party and we’ll teach you some basic steps to use throughout the evening.
The class is an hour long, followed by a social dance which you are highly encouraged to stay for. If you are keen to learn more, we have an 8-week series which is the best way to get immersed and learn a variety of swing dances.
$20 per person. No partner or experience required.
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This 8-week session is a logical follow-up to your first introduction to dance on a Friday night. You will learn to familiarize yourself with the music and several basic steps (Lindy Hop, Charleston, Jig Walk, Swing Walk …).
You will learn useful tips for navigating social dance parties (invite people to dance, pay attention to your surroundings…).
You will have the choice between 2 schedules during the week and the bonus of the Friday intro class*.
Yes, that exactly means that you can come to dance up to 3 times a week! Take advantage of this incredible offer!No prerequisite. No partner required.
You can join this course every 4 weeks, or approximately at the beginning of each month.
*excludes the monthly live music Fridays. -
An introduction to the basics of tap dancing. You will learn the essential basic steps such as the toe, heel, shuffle, hop, flap …
Spend a few weeks in this class to familiarize yourself with tap dancing and the sound and feel of tap shoes.
A minimum of 3 months is the prerequisite to integrate the Tap 1 after the evaluation of your teachers.
We can lend you a pair of shoes depending on the availability of your size.
The course is available in “drop-in” and “multi-pass” format of 8 or 16 classes.
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An introduction to blues dances. Open to all.
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An introduction to a partnered swing dance called the Balboa. Open to all.
If you don’t have prior experience with partner dancing, we recomment to start with the “Intro-to-Swing” drop-in class or the “Beginner 8-week Session”.
Foundations
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THE MUSICAL BODY IN BLACK DANCE with Sarah Elola
In this weekly class, Sarah Elola delves into some of the foundations common to all black dances, particularly African dances, to explore the basic qualities woven into the musicality of dancing bodies.
Drawing inspiration from techniques such as Loketo and Acogny, as well as her immersive experience of African cultures (Burkina Faso & Côte d'Ivoire), and nourished by her career as a dance artist and solo choreographer specializing in contemporary African dance, Sarah will share several keys to tuning the body, a living instrument, to activate a state favorable to this free and creative musicality.
Main sub-themes: musicality, presence & connections.
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The foundations of Lindy hop: the equivalent of our old Swing 1 to 3. You’ve taken the time to get acquainted with partner dancing and you’ve learned a few basic steps. We now invite you to deepen your vocabulary by getting to know the Lindy hop, the mother of all swing dances!
You can join this class at any time and stay as long as you feel comfortable in your foundations. This is the prerequisite to join the Lindy Hop Open classes. Please ask for advice to your teachers. The minimum time recommended is 4 months.
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Have you dabbled in Balboa by taking an intro lesson? Are you looking to familiarize yourself with this exciting and subtle dance? Join us to learn to dance to faster swing music all night, explore fancy footwork and integrate close partnering.
This class is for whether you are new or want a refresher of the foundations.
You can join this class at any time and stay as long as you wish to be accompanied in your practice. Each month will focus on a balboa basic. This is the prerequisite for the Open Balboa class.
Slippery Shoes recommended.
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Have you been attracted to the different forms of Blues during an introductory lesson? Do you want to learn more about this dance with its many and varied qualities? Join us to learn how to dance the night away to blues music and become part of a community of enthusiasts.
This course is aimed at dancers who are already familiar with partner dancing and are looking to learn a new dance.
You can join this class at any time and stay as long as you wish to be accompanied in your practice.
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The Tap 1 course helps to solidify the foundations of tap dancing after acquiring a few basics in the introductory course. This is the first “practice” of the rudimentary aspects of the rhythmic language specific to this dance, according to the oral tradition curriculum of Ethel Bruneau, taught by her daughter Suzanne, her granddaughter Majiza (main teacher of the program) or her students.
You can join this course after evaluation of the teachers and stay for a year. This is the prerequisite to then integrate the Tap 2 course on the personalized advice of your teachers.
Prerequisite: A few months of Intro-to-Tap
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Solo jazz is an essential aspect of its vernacular and social culture and tradition. By learning its language, jazz also invites us to express who we are and how we feel. To dance is to forge a voice so as to be able to participate fully in the community. That's why solo jazz is a feature of every partnered classes.
The solo jazz drop-in is designed to give you the opportunity to practice your body awareness, your listening skills and your improvisational finesse, to develop your confidence and your own style, and to deepen your understanding of jazz culture.
Prerequisite: Lindy Foundations or equivalent
Intermediate-Open
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Once the basics are learned in the Foundations class, Lindy Hop Open is where we all come together, no matter how many years of experience we have.
Vocabulary, improvisation skills, musical understanding and partnering technique continue to be at the heart of our practice.You can join this class at any time and stay as long as you wish. The content will adapt to the dancers present.
For a change of pace and learning style, you can combine or alternate this course with Charleston, Solo Jazz and others.
Prerequisite: Lindy Foundations or equivalent
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The Charleston is one of the most famous dances of the jazz era. A step that can be found in many dances that have since developed in the Black American communities, such as Locking or Chicago Footstep etc.
The lindy hop incorporates a plethora of charleston movements partnered and solo. This is an opportunity to work specifically on this energetic step that is very popular in faster tempos!You can join this class at any time and stay for as long as you wish like.
Prerequisite: Lindy Foundations or equivalent
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Once you’re comfortable with the 3 basics from the Balboa Foundations course, All-levels Balboa is where you can expand your knowledge and hone your craft through inspiration, improvisation and partnership. This course will be the best environment to practice expression, negotiation, listening and adaptation.
You can join this class at any time and stay as long as you wish to be accompanied in your practice. Each month’s content will be different. Slippery Shoes recommended.
Prerequisite: 3 – 6 months of Balboa Foundations
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The tap 2 class progresses from the previous courses with the integration of some new steps and combos. We begin to feel a little more comfortable to converse rhythmically, with time steps, pull backs, other classics and with improvisation.
You can join this course after evaluation of the teachers and stay a few months to feel comfortable in your practice.
Prerequisite: Tap 1
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Learn or review choreographies that are well known in the swing, tap & blues communities.
A call for the routine could take place during the same social night.
The content will move at the pace of the participants present. Some classes will push the limits of your abilities. Challenge yourself!
Choreography varies in difficulty.Shim Sham (Leonard Reed/Willy Bryant, F Manning),
Savoy Shim Sham,
Henry LeTang Shim Sham,
Dean Collins Shim Sham,
Tranky Doo,
Big Apple Contest (Franky Manning)
Stops (Mama Lu Parks)
Hand Clapping (Mama Lu Parks)
Trickeration (Norma Miller)
Electric -
Offered before our weekly Friday dance, this multi-level class is designed to give you ideas to try on the dance floor. The teachers will share their inspirations or tools they have found useful, so you can experiment with them too!
The topic can vary between different dance forms: Lindy hop, Balboa or Blues.
Advanced
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The title says it all. This course is here to challenge you. Whether it’s in the physical pace or the rigor of the existential questions you’ll be asked, you’ll be given plenty of work. Focus will be on improvisation, communication, sense of style, individual and reciprocal expression, the cultural modes of practice of jazz!
You can join this class at any time and stay as long as you like.
Prerequisite: Lindy Open
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Refinement. Increase your range and subtlety as you bring your skills to the next level.
Audition required with the teachers. This class is for dancers with solid Balboa experience.
You can join this class at any time and stay as long as you wish to be accompanied in your practice.
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The tap 3 class progresses from the previous courses with the integration of new steps (wings…), combos and higher tempos. Improvisation becomes more fluid and choreographies push your limits to the next level.
You can join this course after evaluation of the teacher.
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You are looking to take it to the next level in a focussed group for intensive training? You've come to the right place. Whether it's the physical pace or the artistic demands, the coaches are committed to help you improve your technique.
Commitment is by season (3-4 months in Fall / Winter / Spring / Summer).
Auditions.
Registration with a partner encouraged.
Projects
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Welcome to all of you who want to embark on an accessible experience of choreography and performance!
Showmanship is part of jazz culture and we want to give you the opportunity to work on a project that will end with a performance in front of an audience. The project can take various forms depending on the opportunities and audiences.
To ensure a great experience for all, commitment is by season (3-4 months in Fall / Winter / Spring / Summer). The social dance night of the performance is included in the price of the session.
Pre-requisite : Trials. Ease in the basic figures, in the combinations of rhythms and the various tempos (Lindy Foundations equivalent).
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Here is Cat's Corner's longest-running and most iconic troupe!
The show is part of jazz culture and we want to give you the opportunity to work on a project that will end with a performance in front of an audience. The project can take various forms depending on the opportunities and audiences.To ensure a great experience for all, commitment is by season (3-4 months in Fall / Winter / Spring / Summer)
Pre-requisite : Trials. Ease in the basic figures, in the combinations of rhythms and the various tempos (Intermediate Lindy equivalent).
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Dive deeper into Black Social Dance culture from a jam/battle perspective. Includes monthly opportunities to train in context. Free auditions, open to all.
To ensure a great experience for all, we ask for a commitment for the duration of the project.
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Enter the world of vernacular and spectacular jazz dance. Chorus Line jazz is like a dancing encyclopedia of vernacular jazz steps. A vast repertoire to explore!
The show is part of jazz culture and we want to give you the opportunity to work on a project that will end with a performance in front of an audience. The project can take various forms depending on the opportunities and audiences.
To ensure a great experience for all, commitment is by season (3-4 months in Fall / Winter / Spring / Summer). The social dance night of the performance is included in the price of the session.
Pre-requisite : Trials. Lindy Open or equivalent, or experience in other dances.
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A performance project focussed on Balboa.
To ensure a great experience for all, commitment is by season (3-4 months in Fall / Winter / Spring / Summer)
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A performance project focussed on Blues dancing.
To ensure a great experience for all, commitment is by season (3-4 months in Fall / Winter / Spring / Summer)
