Author Archives: Mandi Gould

Drea and Chris hosted Rogers High School Sports Zone for a little dancing this fall.

If you know me, you’ll know that I don’t like competition. More specifically, I don’t like what competition can do to Lindy Hop. To me, Lindy Hop is art, not sport. It’s a form of personal creative and artistic expression; a source of joy, release and pleasure for the participants…

Mandi, Phil, Jasper and some other Toronto dancers attended the International Lindy Hop Championships last weekend. Lindy Hop is certainly more of an art than it is a sport, but sometimes these competitions produce an opportunity to showcase something truly fabulous.

“As a dance student, how should I deal with different instructors teaching conflicting swing dance styles/techniques?” This is a great question and something that everyone is faced with eventually after they move on from learning from a single instructor.

I used to teach very differently than I do now. After working with Frankie and observing Beginner classes all over the world as well as the result of my own lessons, I’ve changed the way that I do things a lot.

The George Gee Orchestra (including his Make-Believe Ballroom Orchestra) was Frankie’s favourite contemporary band so we’ll be featuring his music all month with another song highlighted each week.

That sure was a great show. Here are some photos. Thanks again, everyone!

The specific version of the song this week is the one being used for the Global Frankie 99 Choreo and it’s part of a CD that helps to raise money for the Frankie Manning Foundation.

So you’ve considered taking a Beginner Dance lesson in Toronto, but you’re feeling intimidated? It’s natural to feel a bit in awe of something unknown, and a few nervous jitters are common among first time students, but know that any anxiety will pass very quickly! There’s nothing to be afraid of, and the boisterous hoopla that is swing dancing will distract you in no time!