Dear Dance Community,

We hope this message finds you all in good health and high spirits. We want to take a moment to express our gratitude for your continued support and participation in Ottawa Swing Dance Society.

After careful consideration and consultation with our Executive and members, we have reached a decision regarding our mask policy. Starting at our our dance on June 2nd, wearing masks will be optional. We understand that this has been a topic of concern and controversy within our community, and we want to assure you that we have approached this decision with utmost care and sensitivity.

While wearing masks will be optional, we will still maintain our commitment to providing a clean and safe environment for all attendees. Disposable masks will continue to be offered at the door. We also encourage attendees to wash or sanitize their hands throughout the evening. We will remain vigilant in our efforts to ensure a welcoming and inclusive experience for everyone who joins us on the dance floor.

Our primary goal has always been to prioritize the well-being and safety of our dance community. We acknowledge and respect that individuals may have different comfort levels and personal circumstances that influence their decision on whether or not to wear a mask. We encourage everyone to be understanding and non-judgmental of others' choices. Mutual respect and kindness are the foundations of our vibrant dance community, and we trust that these values will continue to guide us moving forward.

We understand that change can be challenging, especially when it comes to matters of public health. We kindly request that you approach discussions surrounding this decision with empathy and respect. Let's foster an atmosphere of open dialogue, where differing opinions can be shared in a constructive manner.

Thank you all for your ongoing support, understanding, and cooperation during these times. We look forward to welcoming you back to the Swing Nights. Together, we can continue to create positively unforgettable dance experiences.

Wishing you joy, happiness, and good health.

Long time dancers have seen many venues come and go. There has been dancer friendly music playing in places that we've crashed, or that was hosted with us in mind.  Some with DJed breaks or with DJs as the main attraction. With and without much dance space and on all sorts of floor surfaces.
They have all come and gone. In shorter or longer amounts of time but the point is that they've gone.
 The OSDS' dances have always been welcoming to everyone, had the best floors and atmosphere. It is the one and only dance place that has been a constant and stood the test of time. 
            The OSDS is Ottawa's Home of Lindy Hop.  
We're an official entity, a registered not for profit organization, who's mandate is to support the community.
Even though money wasn't coming in and though we weren't hosting dances during the pandemic, the OSDS had some basic expenses, licenses, insurance that still needed to be paid.  (We 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.)

Yes, there are all sorts of lovely free things that pop up, live bands, festivals and that is wonderful! Go, have a good time, experience those awesome things but please think of it as a lovely bonus. Do your best to try for an  AND and not an OR. If you are able to, please come to both. If not, try not to be gone too long.  We miss you.
If you appreciate having a reliable and stable place to go dancing that has been around for decades+ ―  Do not take it for granted that it will always be here, support it.  
Invite your friends to join you when you go. Its always more fun that way.  Have an especially good time during an evening?  Consider giving us a tip or making a donation.  Thanks. 

Please take some time to read about the Black American origins of swing dancing.

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. 

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.

Donate to the Black Lindy Hoppers Fund if you can!

ONLINE EVERY WEDNESDAY 

Join us on Zoom 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. Sit, and listen, dance on your own, or meet up for your own dance party. Engage and interact or allow us to provide the soundtrack for your evening.
The 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.


☰ EVENTS ☰