Smoothstyle Dance Studio

Where We Shop

Maria — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 13:52:12 +0000

We’re often asked where we shop for dance shoes and clothes. Here are a few recommendations.

Please note that WE DO NOT SELL ANY OF THESE ITEMS OURSELVES.

Dance Shoes

The "Westie sandal" style dance shoe

Bobalou Dance Studio – our friend, Louise, sells Very Fine Dance Shoes from her Carleton Place home. She can also bring samples and deliver orders to local dances in Ottawa.

The Dance Shoe Depot.com – Gatineau-based private ballroom instructor, Melody, sells a variety of dance shoes online.

For West Coast Swing dancing, we recommend a 1.5 “block” or “practice” heel for women. For men, we recommend a 0.5-1″ heel for beginners and a 1.5″ Cuban/Latin heel for competitive dancers.

Women’s “Westie Sandal” : Shop >>
Women’s Closed Practice shoe: Shop >>

Men’s “Basic” style: Shop >>
Men’s “Cuban ” style: Shop >>

Latin-style women's shoe suitable for Hustle dancing

For Hustle dancing, we recommendthat women wear “ballroom” heels, from 1.5″ to 3″. We prefer a 1.5″ Cuban/Latin heel for the men.

Women’s Hustle shoe with low heel: Shop >>
Women’s Hustle show with higher heel: Shop >>
Men’s “Cuban Westie” style: Shop >>

Dance Clothes

One of the things we enjoy about our preferred dance styles is their casual nature. We find our dance clothes at stores like these:

Le Chateau (Canada & Quebec)
Charlotte Russe
Express
Bebe
Guess & Guess.ca
HauteLook

Photo Album

Maria — Mon, 02 May 2011 19:54:43 +0000

Take a look at photos from workshops & competitions we attend. Click here >>

WCS Flash Mob

Maria — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 18:47:10 +0000

West Coast Swing Flash Mobs are being organized in Ottawa (June 2011, TBD), Toronto (July 1st) and major cities in the USA – so you’ll have many opportunities to take part in this fun, worldwide phenomenon … but first, you have to learn the choreography!

This web page provides information about the WCS Flash Mob and where Ottawa can learn the choreography. Stay tuned to this website for information about when Flash Mobs are scheduled near you!

Topics:

About the WCS Flash Mob
Learning the choreography
How to participate

About the WCS Flash Mob

The WCS Flash Mob is a worldwide viral social movement started in Houston, Texas by West Coast Swing pros, Damon & Lisa D’Amico. A Flash Mob occurs in a public space, like a shopping mall or stadium. A large group of dancers who all know the same choreography show up at an appointed time and place. The song (the same song every time) comes on over the loud speakers and a few dancers begin. Over the course of the 4-minute song, more and more dancers join in the “mob” while surprised bystanders look on in amazement. When the song ends, all the dancers just walk away as if nothing has happened.

Watch a video of the original Flash Mob on the right.

Learning the Choreography

The best way to learn the choreography is in person, and then you can practice it at home and help others to learn. Look for Flash Mob classes being taught in your city.

You can also learn it from the original WCS Flash Mob choreography video on YouTube. You can even hold a WCS Flash Mob party and invite your friends to learn it with you using the video!

The song is “DJ Got Us Fallin’ In Love Again” by Usher.

How to Participate

To participate in a WCS Flash Mob you will need to connect with the WCS community near you to find out if and when a Flash Mob is being planned.

Some Ottawa dancers will be participating in the WCS Flash Mob being held in Toronto on Canada Day at the base of the CN Tower! Info (Facebook page) >>

Stay tuned to this website, to the WCS_Ottawa Yahoo Group, the West Coast Swing Ottawa Facebook page, and the Ottawa WCS Flash Mob Facebook page – as soon as there is a date and location confirmed for an Ottawa WCS Flash Mob, those groups will be notified!

Drop-In WCS Classes

Maria — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 18:16:23 +0000

Once a month, you can drop-in to catch an Intermediate or Advanced lesson in West Coast Swing. Read about Groovy Westie Sunday workshops for more information >>

Dances in Ontario & Quebec

Maria — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 18:20:10 +0000

Check out these dances elsewhere in the provinces of Ontario, Canada and Quebec, Canada:

Dancing at Elaine's in Ancaster

Ancaster, Ontario

Elaine’s Monthly WCS & Workshops (Saturdays)

Elaine Royds holds popular monthly dances with visiting instructors each month. Her convenient location attracts 60-70 dancers from Toronto, Hamilton, Waterloo, London, Buffalo (NY), Cambridge and other areas! Workshops are held in the afternoon; dance starts at 8:30pm with a free lesson: Intermediate at 7:00pm and Beginner at 7:45pm.

Location: Marshall Memorial United Church, 20 Gilbert Avenue, Ancaster, Ontario.

Details: Email Elaine for details about upcoming dates & guest instructors. (Smoothstyle’s David Ward & Maria Ford will guest teach on February 18th, 2012)

Hamilton, Ontario

2-4-1 Dances

Three FREE dance lessons, two great hardwood floors and one good time for all! Kim Joseph, Stan & Pat Vandermolen host these monthly evenings of WCS, Ballroom and Latin lessons and dancing.

Location: The Venetian Club, 269 John St. North, Hamilton, Ontario (corner of John and Barton)

Details & Contact INfo: www.fun2dance.info

London, Ontario

Swingin’ Sundays

West Coast Swing workshops and dances held at the Optimist Club in North Dorchester.

Location: 1653 Richmond Street, Dorchester, ON N0L 1G0)

Cost: $15 including workshops.

Details: For more information please contact Swing London on Facebook.

Toronto, Ontario

Dancing at Groovy Tuesday in Toronto

Tuesdays

“Groovy Tuesdays” are Julie Epplett’s weekly WCS classes and practice dances, held at Dovercourt House.

Location: 805 Dovercourt Road (west of Ossington, just north of Bloor).

Details: http://towestcoast.com/classes/

Wednesdays

Weekly WCS practices at You Can Dance Studios, from 7:30-10:30pm. $5/person.

Location: 735 Renforth Drive, Unit 24, Etobicoke, Ontario.

Details: Facebook page >> Studio web page >>

Waterloo, Ontario

Saturdays

Waterloo West Coast Swing Saturday Night Dance at The Button Factory (Waterloo Community Arts Centre)

Location: The Button Factory (Waterloo Community Arts Centre), 25 Regina Street South

Price: $5.00/person

Schedule:
8:00-9:00pm Beginner Lesson
9:00-midnight Dance

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/events/115967481858282/

Montreal, Quebec

Tuesdays at Dance Conmigo

WCS practice every Tuesday, 8:30pm-10:30pm. $3.00/person.

Location: 3655 St-Laurent, #207.

Details: www.danceconmigo.com/swing

Thursdays at Studio88 Swing

WCS lesson at 8:45pm followed by WCS dancing every Thursday. $5.00 for the evening.

Location: 7243 St-Hubert

Details: www.studio88swing.com

Photos

Rick — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 12:31:28 +0000

Photo Galleries

Sunday Afternoon Workshops

Maria — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 21:00:46 +0000

“Groovy Westie Sundays”

On the Sunday afternoon following the dance, we teach a progressive series of WCS workshops at the same studio location.

There’s something for everyone, from the uninitiated to the very experienced WCS dancer.

No partner required!

Groovy Westie Sunday Workshop participants

Upcoming Dates

March 11 – with special guest instructor, Nicolas Besnier, of Montreal, teaching the Intermediate & Advanced workshops with Maria
April 15
May 27
June 10

Schedule

1:30 – 2:30pm – Beginning-Beginner (with Donnie & Daria)
2:30 – 2:45pm – Practice
2:45-3:45pm – Intermediate (with Andre & Maria)
3:45-4:00pm - Practice
4:00-5:00pm – Advanced (with Andre & Maria)

Optional group dinner to follow, with live Blues music/dancing at Atomic Rooster

Level Descriptions

Intermediate - for those who have learned and regularly practice WCS 6-count and 8-count basic patterns (side passes, underarm turns, tucks, whips), this workshop delivers interesting new versions and variations that you’ve probably never tried before.

Advanced - for those with lots of WCS dance experience, this workshop focuses on complex moves, tricks and surprises featuring non-standard timing and footwork.

Pricing

One workshop + practice: $15
Each additional workshop $10
Practice only: $5
(Dinner not included)

Registration

Space is limited, so pre-registration is requested, via: www.dancewithalana.com

Location

Dance With Alana Studios, 1800 Bank Street, Suite #13

Double-Down WCS Weekends

Maria — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 20:58:56 +0000

Once a month, Ottawa opens its doors to West Coast Swing dancers from Ottawa and other cities.

Ottawa Double-Down WCS are destination weekends for West Coast Swing dancers!

Double-Down weekend activities include:

Saturday-night dance party. More info >>
Sunday-afternoon Beginner, Intermediate & Advanced WCS workshops. More info >>

Attendees also often start the weekend off with dancing at one of these venues on Friday night:

Rahim’s Latin Friday Info >>
Ottawa Swing Dance Society weekly dance Info >>

After Sunday’s workshops, we head out for a group dinner and optional live Blues dancing & music at Atomic Rooster.

Upcoming dates:

March 10/11 – with special guest instructor, Nicolas Besnier of Montreal
April 13/14
May 26-27
June 9/10

Both Saturday and Sunday events happen at Dance With Alana Studios. NEW address: 1800 Bank Street, Suite #13

For ride sharing, billeting, hotel/hostel, shopping and other information, please visit the Double-Down Weekend Facebook page >>

Saturday Night Dance

Maria — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 20:52:57 +0000

Dancing at uptown@DWA

“uptown@DWA”

DJs Andre”OldsKOOL” Danis and Donnie “DaCube” Neron host the monthly “uptown@DWA” Saturday-Night WCS Dance Party.

Upcoming Dates:

January 14 (Featuring a Jolly Jack & Jill competition for Beginner/Newcomer dancers only. Prizes! Fun! No entry fee!)
February 11
March 10
April 14
May 26
June 9

Time: Non-stop dancing from 8:00pm-12:00am – Followed by the legendary, licensed after-party with food!

Location: Dance With Alana Studios, 1800 Bank Street, Suite #13

Parking: Free in the strip mall’s parking lot

Cover: $7.00/person – $1.00 for cold water/pop

Music: Blues, R&B, Contemporary, Soul, Motown, Pop, Funk

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Maria — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 19:43:36 +0000