Social Dancing

What is social dancing?

Social dancing is what swing dancing is all about: going out to a dance night and swing dancing with fun people! Enjoying social dancing is the best reason for taking swing lessons, and of course it's what you do to practice the moves you've learned in class. Among swing dancers, social dancing is about more than just executing dance steps to music:

It's a social activity. Swing dancers are among the friendliest people in the world, and chatting with friends or meeting new people is a big part of social dancing.
Enjoy dancing with different people! Usually swing dancers don't dance more than a song or two with the same person before finding another partner, and one of the most enjoyable parts of swing dancing is dancing with someone new! While some people go out dancing with their friends, spouses, boyfriends or girlfriends, most people who attend swing dances actually come alone, because they know they'll be able to meet people at the dance!
Freestyle! When you learn moves in class, you work hard to get them right. But on the social dance floor, it's all about improvisation and fun.
Meet market, not meat market. Don't enjoy singles bars? Social dancing is a great way to meet people in an environment that is not all about clumsy come-ons and getting phone numbers. Most people who go swing dancing are just looking to dance, and maybe make a few friends. And in the swing dancing world, when you ask someone to dance, that's really all it means! Of course, many people have met their sweethearts while swing dancing, but this is just a side effect of being surrounded in fun, friendly people.

Social dancing in the Swing era

Originally, social dancing was the only way to swing dance! In the Swing era, almost no swing teachers actually existed. The way you learned to dance was by asking your friends to show you steps, and by watching other dancers! Weekly dances back in the 30's and 40's could attract as many as a thousand people or even more! Even the poor people would often save up what money they had in order to pay for their weekly dance fix, where they could swing to big bands all night!

Social vs. performance swing dancing

Many dancers emphasize the difference between social swing dancing, and performance swing dancing. Fundamentally, swing dancing is the same dance whether done while social dancing or in a performance, and this is true for all swing dances: Lindy Hop, West Coast Swing, Balboa, Shag and so on. The main difference between social dancing and performance dancing is that aerials are not done in social dancing for safety reasons, and that performances may often contain choreographed elements that would not work using the lead/follow connection of social dancing. However, the best swing dance performers preserve all of the fundamental elements of social dancing even while performing show routines.

Swing dance contests may emphasize social dancing or more performance-oriented dancing depending on the format. Jack 'n Jill contests highlight great social dancing, whereas "showcase" contests encourage more spectacular performances.

Swing performances may range from something as simple as a jam circle, to swing contests and full-blown choreographed stage show performed by a dance troupe.

Social dancing in the modern swing scene

Cities around the world have weekly dance nights, ranging from quiet dances held in dance studios, to bar nights with live swing bands. Some cities in the world have more than seven swing dances per week!

Social dancing in Ottawa

Not only is social dancing the whole purpose of learning to swing dance, it's also the most fun part! In order to fully master what you've learned in our swing classes and progress to the next level, you'll need to social dance at least once a week. But don't worry, we've got you covered!

Swing Dynamite runs our weekly Ottawa swing dance, Saturday Night Swing — you guessed it, every Saturday night. We emphasize the kind of swing music that will help you practice the moves you've learned in class. Every SNS features swing music appropriate for Lindy Hop, Balboa, Shag and other vintage swing dances, as well as occasional blues and West Coast Swing music. We also feature "Double Trouble" dances, adding a second room dedicated just to West Coast Swing and Hustle music!

Check out Saturday Night Swing for more information, as well as our Swing Nights in Ottawa page for information about other weekly dances.