CLASSES
We extend a special welcome to everyone no matter their relationship status, sexual orientation, gender identity, race, ethnicity, (dis)ability, weight, faith, or profession.
MONDAYS (190 MacLaren)
7-8pm
WEST COAST SWING BASICS
No experience required!
Learn the traditional basic patterns of West Coast Swing and how to truly lead and follow them.
8-9pm
WEST COAST SWING BEYOND THE BASICS
Each week will feature a new variation of the basic pattern taught in the previous hour. This class is intended for all experience levels. Whether you just learned your first sugar push in the previous hour or 10 years ago, this class is for you!
TUESDAYS (1574 Walkley)
(Studio has two rooms; classes run simultaneously)
7-8pm
BEGINNER LINE DANCE
No experience required!
Learn fun line dance choreographies to (mostly) modern songs from country and beyond.
Most line dances taught in this class are Beginner or Improver level 32 count choreographies with 2 or 4 walls and minimal tags/restarts.
WEST COAST SWING NEXT STEPS
The “next step” once you feel comfortable with the content from WCS Basics. This class introduces common variations, works on fundamental technique for both partnered and solo movement, and starts you developing your musicality!
Dancers should be comfortable with the basic patterns from our WCS Basics series and should have some experience social dancing. If you’re not sure you’re eligible, ask your Basics instructor!
8-9pm
WEST COAST SWING BASICS
No experience required!
Learn the traditional basic patterns of West Coast Swing and how to truly lead and follow them.
INTERMEDIATE LINE DANCE
While open to anyone, this class is targeted at with some experience dancing choreography (line or otherwise) and will feature more complex choreographies.
Line dances taught in this class are at the Intermediate or Advanced level and may be longer than 32 counts, may be phrased, and may have complex tag/restart/wall structures.
- Drop-in: $20
- Saturday Night Intro to WCS Lesson: FREE with admission to the social dance!
All classes are currently drop in friendly, so no registration or advance notice is required. Simply show up a few minutes before class and we’ll take care of things!
SPECIAL PROMOTIONS!
MONDAYS
Monday’s classes take place at the Pure Havana Studio located at 190 MacLaren St, Ottawa.
The studio is on the second floor, with free street parking available after 5:30pm or for $2 at City Hall (5-10 minutes walk) after 6pm.
TUESDAYS/SATURDAYS
Tuesday night classes and our Saturday night social dances happen at our main studio location at 1574 Walkley Rd, Ottawa.
The studio is on the second floor, with parking and building entrance located at the back of the building.
FREE West Coast Swing Intro
Designed for those with no experience with West Coast Swing, this is the first stop on your West Coast Swing journey. Over the course of this one hour crash course, learn enough about the mechanics of West Coast Swing to dance and have fun in our Saturday night socials.
This class is drop-in only and is free!
No previous experience required!
West Coast Swing Basics
This class is the next stop after the Intro. Learn the core 6 and 8 count patterns that make up the foundation of West Coast Swing.
This class is our most flexible. You can start at any time, and may pursue it as a regular progressive class, or as a casual dropin. Note: if you are planning to take it on a dropin basis, you may have an easier time if your first class is the first class of the month or one of our Free West Coast Swing Intro classes, but this is not required.
Patterns: left and right side pass, sugar push and tuck, inside roll, free spin, fold, basket whip, whip.
No previous experience required!
West Coast Swing Beyond The Basics
This special dropin class features as part of our Monday night class block at Pure Havana.
Each week will feature a new variation of the basic pattern taught in the previous hour. This class is intended for all experience levels. Whether you just learned your first sugar push in the previous hour or 10 years ago, this class is for you!
West Coast Swing Next Steps
Your next stop once you’re comfortable with the content of West Coast Swing Basics. In this class, you’ll learn intermediate level patterns and variations used by many social dancers, refine the core technique behind lead and follow in WCS, and start learning how to add musicality and styling to make your dancing truly your own.
Westie Playground
This isn’t so much a class as a sandbox. This is intended for dancers who’ve had plenty of experience in the classroom and on the social dance floor.
These classes are more free form and encourage experimentation and analysis in both technique and creativity.
Example topics:
- One-footed spins: how to spin, how a leader can lead them, and how a follower can initiate them
- Initiate-Surprise-React: create your own “patterns”
- Technique Tune-Up: add precision and intent to your movement
- Safely navigating weight-supported moves (dips and drops)
We expect that you’ve taken at least our full set of Basics classes at the absolute minimum, and have been a reasonably active social dancer throughout your journey.
Hustle Basics 1
Start your journey with the syncopated three-count basic and some of the key patterns that make up Hustle.
No prior experience necessary!
Hustle Basics 2
Build on the concepts from Hustle 1 while learning new patterns, techniques, and variations.
Prerequisite: Hustle 1 or equivalent
Hustle 3
Using the concepts and techniques from Hustle 1 and Hustle 2, explore the many variations of wraps, a staple Hustle pattern.
Prerequisite: Hustle 2 or equivalent.
HUSTLE 4
Deepen your understanding of Hustle with turn variations and start exploring ways to change the “spoke” you and your partner share.
Prerequisite: Hustle 3 or equivalent.
Hustle Next Steps
Progress your Hustle through challenging new patterns, techniques and drills to improve your core basics.
This class will run with variable topics and teachers and will be tailored to the needs and capabilities of the students. Most classes will be accessible to drop-ins, but some may be offered as a series. Speak with an instructor for more information.
Prerequisite: Generally, this class will require at least Hustle 3 or instructor permission, but prerequisite may vary depending on the topic.
Country Two-Step Basics 1
Start your journey into Country Two-Step by learning the basic frame, several key traveling patterns and basic turns in both directions.
No prior experience necessary!
Country Two-Step Basics 2
Build on the concepts from Country Two-Step 1 by learning how to transition into and out of common Two-Step “frames” or “positions” such as cuddle, sweetheart, and also learn about basic whip patterns.
Prerequisite: Country Two-Step 1 or equivalent.
Country Two-Step 3
Learn more advanced pattern archetypes and transitions, including weaves, multiple turns, and timing changes.
Prerequisite: Country Two-Step 2 or equivalent.
Country Two-Step 4
In this capstone course, learn more complex pattern bases and get practice chaining various moves together without having to return to a basic.
Prerequisite: Country Two-Step 3 or equivalent.
Beginner Line Dance
Each class, we’ll teach a beginner-friendly line dance choreography. Learn some of the dances popular at country bars and other line dance events.
For the line dance aficionados out there, the choreographies taught in this class are classified as “beginner” or “improver” difficulty, and usually feature few or no tags/restarts. Most are 32 count/4 wall dances.
We try to give a good mix of line dances set to both country and pop songs.
No experience required!
Intermediate/Advanced Line Dance
Challenge yourself with more difficult line dance choreographies from some of the top choreographers. These choreographies may be longer, change facing direction frequently, incorporate more difficult movements (such as turns/spins), feature multiple tags/restarts, or may draw from other dance styles such as ballroom and hip-hop.
Anyone is welcome to take the class, but those without any prior dance experience may struggle to learn these choreographies.
West Coast Swing
A linear dance with a smooth, elastic aesthetic and an emphasis on improvisational movement.
Country Two-Step
A dance done to country music with a strong focus on travel and turning for both partners.
Hustle
A fun and stylish partner dance modelled after the dances of the disco era in the USA in the 1970s.
Line Dance
A solo, choreographed dance with repetitive movements focusing on footwork and timing.
