Here are some of our most common questions
If this doesn’t satisfy your curiosity, feel free to get in touch!
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Q: I’m nervous! I know that the classes say they’re for Beginners, but I really have no experience and frankly I have two left feet. Are you sure this is for me?
Absolutely! In fact, these classes are designed for you in particular. Learning to dance is more of a mental hurdle than a physical one. We are positive that after you join us and feel comfortable in our learning environment that you’ll feel more confident about taking your first steps.
Q: Where are you located?
Bees’ Knees Dance classes are currently offered in two convenient locations:
DOVERCOURT HOUSE
805 Dovercourt Road (near Ossington Subway Station).
THE JAM FACTORY
2 Matilda Street (near Queen East & the DVP)
Q: What are your hours of operation?
Check out our current schedule!
The “Worker Bees” will be available at the Dovercourt House:
- Tuesdays 6:00 – 8:15pm (3rd floor)
- Wednesdays 6:00 – 8:15pm (2nd floor)
- Thursdays 6:00 – 8:15pm (1st floor)
and at The Jam Factory:
- Mondays 6:00 – 8:15pm (1st floor)
These friendly administrative assistants can help you register for classes and answer any questions you may have. You can also contact us by email or phone.
Q: What do I need to know before my first class?
Prepare yourself for a fun, no pressure hour. You don’t need special shoes, special clothing, or a partner. Wear something comfortable and perhaps bring along a bottle of water. Relax, don’t take yourself too seriously and have fun.
Q: How much do the classes cost?
If you are taking one class per week, each class is $16 inclusive for a monthly total of $64 or $80 (depending on the number of weeks in the month).
If you take any additional classes, each class is $12 inclusive for a monthly total of $48 or $60.
Q: Can I drop in for a class?
Absolutely! Drop in classes are $18. Please note however, that we may not allow drop-ins based on available space in the class (including for your role) – you have to register and pay for the month in order to secure your spot in the class. Please also note that you must be dancing at the level of the class to drop-in and that we do not allow complete beginners to join beginner level classes after Week 2 as this can hinder the progress of the rest of the class. Thanks for your understanding!
Q: What is the refund/credit policy?
We offer refunds only under exceptional circumstances, and only with at least 48 hours notice. Please email us to request a refund or to use your payment as credit towards another class.
Q: How can I try a FREE class?
There are many opportunities to try out a class for free – check our page here to sign up, or to find information about other free classes!
Q: Do I have to register in advance?
Class sizes are capped to ensure that teachers can give students individual attention. Registering and paying in advance is the only way to guarantee your spot in a class, and they do sell out for both leaders and followers!
Pre-registration also helps immensely with ratio-balancing. Help us help you get the most out of your Bees’ Knees Dance experience by pre-registering for the classes you’d like to attend. That way we will do our best to ensure even ratios to maximize your dancing time.
Q: When does the next new Beginner session start?
A new beginner session starts every month, so you don’t have to wait to get started. Each session begins with the new calendar month so for example, if the first of the month falls on a Wednesday then Wednesday night classes will begin on the 1st, Thursday night classes on the 2nd, and then Monday and Tuesday night classes will start on the following week which would be on the 6th and 7th of the month. You can usually join in on the second week of the month, but after that it’s better to wait for the next session to start.
Q: How do the levels work? For how long should I take each class in order to progress on to the next level?
You can see a description of our class levels here.
Q: What’s the difference between Swing and Lindy Hop?
A: Swing Dancing is the broader name for Lindy Hop. Also sometimes known as Jitterbug, Lindy Hop is the specific type of Swing Dancing that we teach at Bees’ Knees Dance. There are other kinds of ‘Swing’ but when most people think of Swing Dancing they’re usually thinking of Lindy Hop which is the original form of Swing Dancing popular from the end of the 1920s right through until WWII. Read more about the history of swing here.
Q: Why do your beginner classes have three different Lindy Hop styles?
A: Swing dancing is an umbrella term encompassing many different dance styles and we at Bees’ Knees Dance specialize in Lindy Hop, the original. Lindy Hop is danced with a combination of three basic footwork sequences; 6-count, 8-count, and Charleston. All three are danced interchangeably within a single dance or song, and are to be regarded as components of a single style rather than individual styles of their own.
Q: What kind of shoes and clothing should I wear?
A: Dress comfortably. There is no need to buy dance shoes for Beginner lessons. A comfortable running shoe or flat shoe will be just fine. For clothing, wear something cool and comfy that won’t restrict your movement and that you won’t mind sweating in. Once you’ve taken some classes and you’re progressing to Level 1.5, you might be ready to invest in some swing shoes and this blog post will be helpful.
Q: Where can I park?
A: You can park on Dovercourt Road or on nearby side streets. There is also a Green P lot just North of Bloor and West of Dovercourt Road.
Q: I don’t have a partner. Is that a problem?
A: Not at all. We rotate in all of our classes so you’ll get to dance with everyone in the room. No partner required.
Q: My partner and I just want to dance with each other. Can we choose not to rotate?
A: We strive to preserve and honour the historically social spirit of Lindy hop culture within our classes. As such, rotating partners is an essential foundation of both our learning experience and the swing dance scene itself. You’ll actually learn more that way and you’ll be better prepared (and up for a pleasant surprise!) when you return to the partner you came with. If you truly prefer otherwise, we recommend booking a private lesson.
Q: Are your classes LGBTQ – friendly?
A: Yes. Inclusivity is one of our most important values. We strive to create an environment where anyone can have a great time learning to dance.