FAQs

Why don’t we have drop-ins?

  1. Our Club offers the opportunity to learn basic line dance movements and progressively add new challenges and skills as dancers gain experience.
  2. By participating in a session, you are connecting with the dances and the dancers. The energy that comes from learning a repertoire with a community of dance friends is the essence of our mission “to share the joy of line dance in the Bow Valley”
  3. We are a non-profit Club with expenses that include room rental costs, liability insurance, guest instructor fees, so we need to have a commitment.

How do we choose our dances?
Deb and Faye and Mary collectively select dances that:
– introduce foundation line dance movements, and progressively add as dancers gain experience
– allow our repertoire to include a variety of music and rhythm
– are popular at events in Calgary and beyond
– are generally versatile to adapt to additional music selections
– are choreographed to suit most sizes, ages, and genders
**Occasionally we veto dances due to lyrics that may be considered offensive.

Are there some strategies for learning from a video?

  1. Look at several of the tutorials to see which one has a teaching style that suits you.
  2. Note the room orientation used by the tutorial. Tutorials oriented on a diagonal may confuse some.
  3. Learn one section at a time (just like we do in class).
  4. Walk through each section a few times with the step names (just like we do in class).
  5. Then walk through the dance with the counts.
  6. Use the step-sheet to assist you.
  7. Before dancing through a song with a tutorial, set your computer up in one place, and compare the orientation of your room to the orientation of the tutorial. (Most dancers find it difficult to learn by holding the computer while making the turns.)
  8. It may be helpful to prop a large mirror opposite the computer so you continue seeing the lesson in the mirror and not have to look over your shoulder.

What kind of shoes are best for line dancing?
Safety is always a concern, so please do not wear:
– light hikers or thick rubber-soled shoes that will not permit turns
– open-backed shoes of any kind
– high-heeled shoes
Ideally, we suggest smooth but not slippery leather soled shoes, or dance shoes.