Not quite. While the two are related, they come from very different contexts!

Lindy Hop was created by Black dancers in Harlem, NY in the late 1920s and 30s, growing out of the jazz scene at the Savoy Ballroom. It’s deeply tied to African American music, culture, and expression, with an emphasis on rhythm, improvisation, and play.

East Coast Swing (ECS) developed later in the 1940s and 50s, when ballroom studios adapted Lindy Hop into a simplified, standardized dance. It was called East Coast Swing because that’s where it first gained popularity through those studios, before spreading more widely. It was promoted primarily to white, middle-class audiences, often danced to early rock ’n’ roll and rhythm & blues. In that process, many of the improvisational and cultural elements of Lindy Hop were reduced.

Both dances can be enjoyable, but it’s important to recognize that Lindy Hop is the original swing dance, created and innovated by Black dancers, and it carries that cultural history with it. Tuxedo Cat Swing is committed to honouring those roots while sharing the joy of the dance today.

You do not need a partner! This is a social dance and you will have the opportunity to dance with other dancers as we rotate partners throughout lessons.

You are more than welcome to invite friends if that feels more comfortable for you!

You are welcome to wear whatever is comfortable for you. This dance is quite active, so you may want to keep this mind. Breathable fabrics and clothes that don’t restrict your movement are ideal!

Please bring clean indoor shoes to keep floors clean. Closed-toe shoes are strongly recommended to help protect your feet during partner work. Look for something with a smooth or low-traction sole as this makes turning and pivoting easier (think lightweight sneakers or flat dance shoes). Avoid shoes with sharp heels or a heavy tread, as they can make dancing more difficult and less safe.

We also suggest bringing a water bottle as it is an active dance!

Our fall classes are held at UniverseSoul Dance Studio (#13, 3300 14 Ave NE). Classes are in the small studio. To get there, you must go through the larger main studio and proceed through the door on the other side. There is also a door on the other side of the building that you may walk around to.

The studio has free parking available in front of the building. It’s also located near the Marlborough Train Station, with several bus stops within walking distance.

Registration in advance is required for all classes. Occasionally we may offer drop-in opportunities, but we strongly encourage signing up ahead of time so we can plan for class size—our studio space is limited, and knowing numbers helps us give everyone the best experience.

After class, the studio is open for social dancing from 8:45-9:30pm so you can socialize with others and practice what you learned in class.

There are many opportunities to swing dance in Calgary, and we encourage you to take advantage of this and dance in a variety of environments.

Fly Right Swing hosts social dances on the first and third Friday of the month. On the first Friday, they offer a bootcamp before the beginner Lindy Hop lesson, and on the third Friday, a live jazz band joins for the social dance.

Sunny City Swing hosts weekly dances on Sunday nights, starting with a beginner-friendly swing lesson. It's a great opportunity to meet other dancers and get more comfortable on the social floor.

Swing Dance Calgary occasionally hosts various dance socials through the year. You can also find a community calendar that lists most of the dance events in the city on their website!

Calgary is also home to some amazing live music venues such as Mikey’s Juke Joint, The Blues Can, The Ironwood Grill & Stage, and The King Eddy. There is nothing better than listening and dancing to live jazz and blues music. If you’re interested in discovering where and when the best danceable live music is happening, feel free to reach out—we’re happy to share details and connect you with fellow dancers!

Your safety and well-being matter to us. If you experience or witness something that makes you feel uncomfortable or unsafe, whether it's related to physical safety, boundaries, or behaviour, please let us know.

You can speak directly to an organizer during class or reach out using our contact form. All concerns will be taken seriously and handled with care and discretion.

We're committed to maintaining a respectful, inclusive environment where everyone can feel comfortable learning and dancing.

You can find a copy of our Code of Conduct here.

For questions not answered here, please send us an email at tuxedocatswing@gmail.com or fill out our Contact Us form, and someone will get back to you as soon as possible!