The OSDS is a non-profit dedicated to promoting swing dancing culture in Ottawa, ON, on unceded Algonquin territory.
The OSDS is a non-profit dedicated to promoting swing dancing culture in Ottawa, ON, on unceded Algonquin territory.
Our dances are on Friday nights!
We enjoy seeing our community members both returning and new, moving, grooving and having a great time on our large dance floor.
Haven’t danced before? No Problem.
A 1-hour introductory lesson is included with admission. It will get you started to dance and ready for the rest of the night. No partner is necessary as we switch dance partners often during the lesson. Lindy hop aka. swing dancing is a social dance which means we emphasize meeting people and socializing.
Invite your friends! Everyone is welcome.
New and have questions? Visit here for more information.
We are keeping your safety in mind, so please review our current Covid-19 protocols (below)
Our dances are on Friday nights!
We enjoy seeing our community members both returning and new, moving, grooving and having a great time on our large dance floor.
Haven’t danced before? No Problem.
A 1-hour introductory lesson is included with admission. It will get you started to dance and ready for the rest of the night. No partner is necessary as we switch dance partners often during the lesson. Lindy hop aka. swing dancing is a social dance which means we emphasize meeting people and socializing.
Invite your friends! Everyone is welcome.
New and have questions? Visit here for more information.
We are keeping your safety in mind, so please review our current Covid-19 protocols (below)
☰ Shoes ☰
To help preserve our dance floor, and for better movement, bring a pair of clean, dry shoes for dancing. Flat indoor shoes are recommended (sneakers, flats, oxford, etc.).
☰ Shoes ☰
To help preserve our dance floor, and for better movement, bring a pair of clean, dry shoes for dancing. Flat indoor shoes are recommended (sneakers, flats, oxford, etc.).
☰ Schedule ☰
7:45 Doors Open
8:00 Beginner / Introductory Lesson
9:00-11:30 Social Dancing
☰ Schedule ☰
7:45 Doors Open
8:00 Beginner / Introductory Lesson
9:00-11:30 Social Dancing
☰ Payment/Entrance Fee ☰
DJed evenings ― $10 cash at the door
Live Band Nights ― $20 cash at the door
☰ Payment/Entrance Fee ☰
DJed evenings ― $10 cash at the door
Live Band Nights ― $20 cash at the door
☰ Next Live Band Night ☰
March 10: Apex Jazz Band
March 17: Eyal Vilner Quartet from NYC
☰ Next Live Band Night ☰
March 10: Apex Jazz Band
March 17: Eyal Vilner Quartet from NYC
☰ COVID-19 PROTOCOLS ☰
We want to be able to provide a level of safety to all participants at this time.
☰ COVID-19 PROTOCOLS ☰
We want to be able to provide a level of safety to all participants at this time.
Masks are required at all times, unless sitting at a table actively drinking. We strongly recommend N95 or KN95 masks. Masks with vents, exhalation valves, scarves or bandanas are NOT acceptable. Masks must fully cover your nose and mouth.
Masks are required at all times, unless sitting at a table actively drinking. We strongly recommend N95 or KN95 masks. Masks with vents, exhalation valves, scarves or bandanas are NOT acceptable. Masks must fully cover your nose and mouth.
Please do not attend our dances if you are feeling unwell.
Please do not attend our dances if you are feeling unwell.
We will revisit this policy and adjust our safety measures as appropriate based on case rate information and other staffing comfort factors. Thank you!
We will revisit this policy and adjust our safety measures as appropriate based on case rate information and other staffing comfort factors. Thank you!
Interested in volunteering?
Sign up at: volunteer.swingottawa.ca
Donate to the Ottawa Swing Dance Society:
Even though we weren't hosting dances during the pandemic, the OSDS still had some basic expenses.
(We did our best to be fiscally responsible; kept spending to a minimum by putting many services on hold, enquired about service discounts, due to changes in usage but some aspects had to be kept..)
If you have an especially good time during an evening, please consider giving us a tip or making a donation.
Donate to the Ottawa Swing Dance Society:
Even though we weren't hosting dances during the pandemic, the OSDS still had some basic expenses.
(We did our best to be fiscally responsible; kept spending to a minimum by putting many services on hold, enquired about service discounts, due to changes in usage but some aspects had to be kept..)
If you have an especially good time during an evening, please consider giving us a tip or making a donation.
EVERY WEDNESDAY
EVERY WEDNESDAY
Join us from the safety of your own home (or wherever you choose) for the Online Swing and Blues Dance. Stay as little or long as you'd like, audio/video on or off as you see fit. Listen and dance on your own, or have friends drop by. Engage and interact or allow us to provide the soundtrack for your evening. Last Wednesday of the month is; Bottom Of the Month Blues. ― Music starts at 7 PM & ends around 10 PM.
(You can choose to stay late & socialize.) Spread the word! House DJs: John Salalila (Windsor) & Jody Glanzer (Ottawa) Run by WE Swing Dance, Red Maple Blues & the Ottawa Swing Dance Society.
Join us from the safety of your own home (or wherever you choose) for the Online Swing and Blues Dance. Stay as little or long as you'd like, audio/video on or off as you see fit. Listen and dance on your own, or have friends drop by. Engage and interact or allow us to provide the soundtrack for your evening. Last Wednesday of the month is; Bottom Of the Month Blues. ― Music starts at 7 PM & ends around 10 PM.
(You can choose to stay late & socialize.) Spread the word! House DJs: John Salalila (Windsor) & Jody Glanzer (Ottawa) Run by WE Swing Dance, Red Maple Blues & the Ottawa Swing Dance Society.
Jazz music and dances are Black American art forms. Swing music and dance have been shaped by the experience of oppression, slavery, and segregation.
Jazz music and dances are Black American art forms. Swing music and dance have been shaped by the experience of oppression, slavery, and segregation.
Lindy Hop emerged as a defiant, joyous response to financial hardship caused by the Great Depression, harsh living conditions, and systemic racism.
Lindy Hop emerged as a defiant, joyous response to financial hardship caused by the Great Depression, harsh living conditions, and systemic racism.
As a community that enjoys this amazing dance and music, it is important to know and celebrate its history.
As a community that enjoys this amazing dance and music, it is important to know and celebrate its history.
It’s also equally important to celebrate its culture, values and the very people and communities who have created it. Not only out of respect and in an effort not to be appropriative, but because Lindy Hop is a dance of Black liberation, and simply because of our shared humanity.
It’s also equally important to celebrate its culture, values and the very people and communities who have created it. Not only out of respect and in an effort not to be appropriative, but because Lindy Hop is a dance of Black liberation, and simply because of our shared humanity.
Looking to find out about other chances to dance?
Check out our community calendar.
(If you find others let us know.)
Looking to find out about other chances to dance?
Check out our community calendar.
(If you find others let us know.)
