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 6 workshops taught by our professional staff.
The Calgary Dance Stampede's tenth annual Free Beginner Friday will be held Friday, April 12, 2024 from 7PM to 9PM. We offer 6 free beginner dance classes, there is no better time to come and experience the wonderful world of dance!
Whether you dream of performing in the spotlight, competing on a national stage, want to do some boot-scootin’ around town, or just never want to sit out the dancing at a party again, we have a free dance class for you to try.
Stay the evening and play the night away in any one, or ALL of our 3 fabulous dance halls (admission required).
Click here for Online Registration
No Partner Required
Enjoy the many benefits of dance:
a. Stress relief from your day
b. Physical activity
c. Making new friends
d. Increased flexibility
e. Better balance
f. Core strength and posture
g. Improved confidence
h. Quality time with your sweetheart
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!