The Calgary Dance Stampede offers Instructional Workshops for everyone from the beginner to the seasoned veteran; from junior to adult. Enjoy exceptional training from North America’s top professional instructors in many different styles of Country, West Coast Swing and Line Dance.
We are proud to announce that we are now the Largest Workshop Weekend Event in North America! Running the most Workshops over 3 days than any other event. And if that was not enough we're continuing with our longstanding tradition of Free Workshops with our ...
That's right ... FREE! On Friday evening we throw open the doors to the event and invite the general public and anyone who wants to learn to dance in. We offer eight (8) workshops taught by our professional staff. Then stay the evening and play in any one of our three (3) fabulous dance halls (admission required).
WORKSHOP SCHEDULE - is available to view on-line by visiting our EVENT SCHEDULE. This years' tentative workshop schedule will be published in March before the Early Bird Deadline, for your consideration.
NO PARTNER IS REQUIRED - You can attend the Calgary Dance Stampede as a single, couple or group. Rates and event pass information can be found on our REGISTRATION page.
NO VIDEO RECORDING is allowed in the workshops, but a Workshop Summary DVD is available for purchase from Sequence Event Videos. This is a great way to remember the dance workshops you have experienced over the weekend and also still get the information from the ones you missed.
Workshop Levels
Make sure you choose your dance level wisely. We have tried to maintain a mixture of Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced classes throughout each day and the weekend. If a class is designated as "Intermediate", that is the level the class will be taught at. By all means, if you wish to challenge yourself by taking a higher level class, please be aware that the instructors may be teaching information that is beyond your current ability.
BEGINNER (Beg)
is for those who have never danced before OR for those who wish to touch up on the basics. You will learn the basic footwork, frame, lead/follow techniques and the basic pattern structure of the dances.
BEGINNER PLUS (Beg / Int)
is for those who have a solid understanding of the basic concepts, timing, and patterns of the dances. Extended patterns, lead/follow connection concepts and basic pattern variations will be taught at this level.
INTERMEDIATE (Int)
is for those who have a solid understanding of the material and concepts taught as a Beginner Plus. Timing changes, execution, body movement and more advanced lead/follow connection concepts will be developed further in addition to more fun intricate patterns will be taught at this level.
INTERMEDIATE PLUS (Int / Adv)
is for those who have a solid understanding of the material and concepts taught as an Intermediate. Timing variations, rhythm concepts, syncopation concepts and more advanced pattern structures will be taught at this level.
ADVANCED (Adv)
is for those who have a solid understanding of the material and concepts taught as an Intermediate Plus and/or are an accomplished social dancer for 3-5 years.
Dance Descriptions
TRIPLE TWO
Triple Two is a progressive dance that is curving and exciting. The dance winds and curves it's way across the floor like a soft whist of smoke twisting and curving. The most popular patterns require that you constantly change positions with your partner as you progress around the floor. Many patterns are borrowed from Two Step, replacing each slow with a triple step, and by replacing each 'quick' with a walking step. This dance is perfect for music that is too slow to dance Two Step to.
POLKA
Polka is a fast paced dance that is performed with lilt in a repeating triple rhythm as it progresses around the dance floor. Like Two Step and Triple Two, many patterns spin and weave as you change positions with your partner. This high energy dance is one of the most exciting of the country dances to perform and watch.
NIGHTCLUB
Nightclub is a practical and versatile social dance. It is designed to be used with ballads in many different styles of music. The rhythm of the dance is very simple and rarely changes. This romantic dance fills a gap where no other dance fits and it gives the dancer, whether beginning or advanced, the opportunity to express and create without requiring the use of rigid technique. Nightclub is attractive, romantic, and is a real asset to a social dancer because of it's simplicity and versatility.
CHA CHA
Cha Cha is the youngest of the latin dances and became widely popular in the 1950's as an offshoot of the Mambo. Sometimes called Cha Cha Cha because of the fast triple step footwork. This extremely classy & sexy dance is characterized by very fast footwork, arm movements and exaggerated hip motion. Cha Cha is a stationary dance, with some movements that can travel across the floor. Danced to fast latin music or slower country music, this dance is very popular with social dancers today.
WALTZ
Waltz is a smooth progressive dance characterized by long flowing movements, slow continuous turns and 'rise & fall'. It is graceful and elegant, danced to moving and powerful music. Waltz dancers seem to glide around the dance floor almost effortlessly. Waltz is unique as it is danced to 3/4 time. This is one dance you'll want to add to you repertoire as it focuses on proper posture and balance.
TWO STEP
Two Step is the corner stone of country dance. The most widely known, performed and social danced dances of it's kind. A modern partnership dance derived from American Foxtrot that showcases the follower in spins, turns and weaves as it travels around the floor. Mainly danced to country music, but you can find it being danced to other popular artists such as Eric Clapton and Mark Knopler . You'll find Two Step being danced all over North America, Europe and parts of Asia ... it's not your parents dance any longer !
EAST COAST SWING
East Cost Swing is a danced derived from Jitterbug. A sister to the Jive, East Coast swing is performed with the lowering action of lilt with out the high kicks and elevation of Jive. A stationary dance that rotates on itself, East Coast Swing is a highly popular social dance that can be danced to a wide variety of music including '50 rock and modern pop.
WEST COAST SWING
West Coast Swing is the most popular form of all the Swing Dances because of it's true "lead-follow" nature it allows for the expression of the music, and there can be an intricate and intimate relationship between partners. West Coast Swing can be danced to music ranging from the contemporary Blues & Jazz to fast paced Hip-Hop & Pop. This makes it the most versatile dance one can have at their disposal. The dance focuses on interaction with you partner, improvisation and musical interpretation. Once you see how much fun it can be, you'll love it!
Social Dancing
Social dance the night away with our 3 international DJ’s in 3 separate Dance Halls (Country, West Coast Swing and Line Dance) creating the perfect night life so you can stay and play. No need to choose which room ... one ticket gets you into ALL 3!
Social Dancing is a important part of your dance education or a place where you can relax and enjoy the night after a long day of competition or workshops.
All Dance Halls are a family friendly, smoke-free and safe environment where competitors, students and the general public can dance with confidence.