Welcome to our 5th Swing Showcase! With flying flips, tapping feet, and fast dancing, the show will inspire, thrill, and entertain. Take a journey through swing-era dances, including Lindy Hop, Tap, Jazz, Blues, Balboa, and more! We encourage you to clap and cheer during the show if you see something you like! Produced by Sugar Swing Ballroom’s team, Mad Cat Swing.
Program Details
Style: Tap, Solo Jazz, Lindy Hop
Choreography: Birkley, contributions from Arta and Czarina
Performers: Mad Cat Swing and special guest Janae
Our fast-paced show opener starts us off with a bang. Buckle up and get ready to clap along!
Style: Charleston
Choreography: Birkley, spotlights contributed by performers
Performers: Dominic, Jason, Matt, Rylee, Sarah, Sydney
Let’s throw it back to the dance that came before Lindy Hop: Charleston! Born out of the changing times in the 1920’s, people were out to have a good time, and the dancing reflected that fun-loving spirit.
Style: Solo Jazz
Performers: Arta, Birkley, Jasmine, Katryna, Paige, Reinier, Tyrel, and special guest Janae
Solo Jazz (or Vernacular/Authentic Jazz) and Tap are street dances, pioneered by Black Americans in the 1920s through 1940s, and focuses on improvisation, self-expression and strong rhythms. Modern dances that stem from Solo Jazz include Hip Hop, House, and Broadway Jazz. We’ll be surprised with a different song every show, to make sure it’s truly improvised.
Style: Lindy Hop
Choreography: Birkley, spotlights by performers
Performers: Arta, Birkley, Czarina, Jasmine, Jason, Katryna, Matt, Paige, Reinier, Rylee, Sarah, Tyrel
Lindy Hop isn’t all big air, it’s also a cozy, relaxed dance. Legendary dancer Frankie Manning said that “When you are dancing with your partner, for that two and a half minutes, you are in love with each other…It’s a love affair, between you and your partner and the music”
Style: Solo Jazz
Choreography: Al Minns and Leon James, contributions from performers
Performers: Dominic, Reinier, Tyrel
A routine known throughout the jazz world, this line dance was choreographed by original Lindy Hoppers Al Minns and Leon James, also known professionally as “The Jazz Dancers”. Their adaptation of tap’s Shim Sham was first recorded in the documentary “The Spirit Moves”.
Style: Tap
Choreography: Charles “Honi” Coles
Performers: Arta, Birkley, Jasmine, Katryna, Paige, and special guest Janae
Coles Stroll is a classic tap routine, also known as the “Walk Around” choreographed by the founder of The Copasetics, Honi Coles. Coles was known to say that “if you can walk, you can tap”, which you can see in this number.
Style: Lindy Hop
Choreography: Spotlights by performers; group choreo contributed by Birkley
Performers: Arta, Birkley, Czarina, Dominic, Jasmine, Katryna, Paige, Reinier
During the swing era, young people would attend dances hosted by schools, youth groups and ballrooms to socialize and share joy in the midst of the Great Depression. For many, this included some friendly competition – they wanted to be the best! Since they weren’t yet allowed into the adult clubs, they would learn flashier moves by watching movies and imitating the featured dancers, such as Whitey’s Lindy Hoppers in Hellzapoppin’.
Style: Solo Jazz
Choreography: Krystal Moss
Performers: Arta, Czarina, Dominic, Jasmine, Jason, Katryna, Matt, Paige, Reinier, Rylee, Sarah, Tyrel
Choreographed by longtime Edmonton dancer/instructor Krystal Moss, Wham shares the infectious joy of jazz dancing. We can’t help but smile when we perform this routine and we hope it makes you smile too!
Style: Lindy Hop
Performers: Dominic, Jasmine, Jason, Matt, Reinier, Rylee, Sarah, Sydney
Lindy Hop is an improvised dance where the moves and shapes are created differently every time. We will improvise our way through this steal jam number, where we try to swap partners and steal the spotlight. Each performance will feature a different song, so we will actually be improvising!
Style: Slow Drags/Blues
Choreography: Czarina, spotlights contributed by performers
Performers: Arta, Birkley, Czarina, Katryna, Paige, Tyrel
Sometimes you want to keep things slow and groovy. Slow Drags (or Blues) dancing and music developed alongside jazz and Lindy Hop. It is an intimate dance, danced to slower tempo music.
Style: Balboa
Choreography: Czarina, spotlights contributed by performers
Performers: Arta, Birkley, Czarina, Jason, Katryna, Paige
How would you dance to fast swing music with 5,000 people in a single ballroom? The answer: Balboa. A closer embrace dance, Balboa blends elegance, precision, and fast footwork, making it ideal for fast tempos.
Style: Solo Jazz, Lindy Hop
Choreography: Norma Miller
Performers: Dominic, Jason, Matt, Rylee, Sarah, Sydney
Famed dancer Norma Miller choreographed this classic routine, aptly named for its “tricky” rhythms. Dancers around the world still challenge themselves to learn this routine.
Style: Lindy Hop
Choreography: Birkley, spotlights contributed by performers
Performers: Arta, Birkley, Dominic, Jasmine, Katryna, Matt, Paige, Reinier, Rylee, Sarah
Lindy Hop is deeply connected to the music, that’s why it is so important to us to dance to the music of the era. Sidney Bechet, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, and Ella Fitzgerald are just a few of the instrumental (pun intended!) musicians of swing music.
Style: Tap
Choreography: James “Buster” Brown
Performers: Janae
Similar to Jazz, Tap dancing saw significant development in the United States from the late 1800s through mid 1900s. This number’s choreographer, James “Buster” Brown, is known for having a quick and artistic style, which is portrayed in this advanced routine with it’s intricate footwork. It is a classic piece taught to dancers around the world today. We are excited to showcase in this routine Sugar Swing’s own Tap instructor, Janae!
Style: Lindy Hop
Choreography: Birkley
Performers: Mad Cat Swing
All good things must come to an end. We close our show with another banging Basie song – get ready to see some air!
Style: Solo Jazz
Choreography: Leonard Reed & Willie Bryant
Performers: Mad Cat Swing and Janae
The Shim Sham is another classic routine in the world of Solo Jazz. Originally a standard tap curtain call named “The Goofus”, Frankie Manning adapted it for Lindy Hoppers in the 1980s. If you come out to a social dance at Sugar Swing, most likely this line dance will be performed sometime throughout the night!
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Meet The Team
Mad Cat Swing
Birkley Wisniewski
Show Producer & Director
Birkley has been the producer of Swing Showcase since its beginning in 2018. He is the founder and director of Sugar Swing, established in 2005. After honing his skills in Lindy Hop, Jazz dance, Balboa, and tap for over 20 years, he has become recognized as a marquee performer, instructor, choreographer, producer, and deejay. He has travelled extensively across the globe to learn these jazz dances from the best. This also includes swing DJ gigs in places such as Sweden, Montreal, Vancouver, Seattle.
Paige Grant
Production Manager
Paige was propelled into Lindy Hop by accident – when attending her first social dance in 2013, it actually turned out to be a big dance event with a live band, competitions, and performances. After having one of the most fun nights ever, she didn’t look back. Twelve years later, Paige is known for her precise rhythms, comfy connection and dedication to dancing with the music. Aside from performing Lindy Hop, Paige is a staff instructor at Sugar Swing, and loves teaching the dance – it brings her joy to see people learn to connect with the music and others, all while expressing themselves.
Arta Seify
After attending a Lindy Hop social dance in 2013, Arta fell in love with it instantly. He finds inspiration to dance from the endless supply of steps and rhythms to learn and perfect. Arta’s favourite performance was dancing at the Winspear with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra for their Christmas shows. Outside of Lindy Hop, Arta works as a game programmer, and he enjoys learning K-Pop choreographies and playing videogames.
Czarina Ramos
Czarina first got involved with the swing dance club at MacEwan back in 2013, which combined her love of jazz music and interest in partner dancing. Slow drags is the dance style Czarina enjoys the most; this style allows her to be in the moment and focus on movement. Aside from the dance itself, the lasting friendships and connections with those in the Lindy Hop community are a major motivator to keep dancing.
Dominic Wong
Dominic first was exposed to Lindy Hop when he was invited to a Swing Dance club social dance at university. The rest is history! The dance floor is Dominic’s jam; that’s where he shares unforgettable dance moments with friends, and is inspired by fellow dancers. When the song, Shiny Stockings by Count Basie, is playing, you know he’ll be dancing!
Jasmine Farahbakhsh
Jasmine started dancing back in September 2012, when she joined the University of Alberta student swing dance club. After finishing school in 2015, she dove into dance, taking lessons in solo jazz, balboa, and tap. Jasmine loves the process of working towards a performance with the team, and this year’s Fringe show is no different! When not dancing, you can find Jasmine spending time outside with friends (often on a bike in the summer, or skis/skates in the winter).
Jason Thai
Jason has dabbled in various dances throughout his adult life, but a swing dance social in 2014 set off his journey into Jazz. He is especially fond of Balboa because it feels cozy and connected, while still allowing for fancy footwork and flair. What keeps Jason dancing is the community, moving and grooving to the music, and the opportunity to be present in the moment – many great things have happened in his life due to the dance.
Katryna Drouin
Katryna started her dance journey in 2017, when she moved to Edmonton. In search of community, her sister introduced her to the Lindy Hop scene and encouraged her to come out dancing. What started as a way to make friends quickly became her go-to activity. As a part of Mad Cat, Katryna’s favourite gig was a 1950s-themed event where she had the chance to slow dance with puppies to promote their adoption.
Matt Lloyd
Matt has been dancing since 2014, and appreciates that Lindy hop combines music, physicality, and style. As an aficionado and lover of jazz music, Matt is a staff DJ at Sugar Swing. He loves finding new and exciting songs to play at dances and watching dancers respond to these songs. His personal favourite songs to dance to are One O’clock Jump by Count Basie, Shiny Stockings by Ella Fitzgerald and Count Basie. When he’s not dancing, you can find Matt playing video games, going on bike rides, seeking out more resources around jazz music and dancing.
Reinier Eubra
Reinier had no dance experience prior to doing his first dance lesson in Sugar Swing Ballroom back in 2019. Now, he will be performing his second Swing Showcase with Mad Cat Swing at this year’s Fringe Festival. His favourite tune to dance to is Shoo Fly Pie by Jonathan Stout and His Campus 5 (or really any songs about food).
Rylee Chalifoux
Rylee was only 9 years old when her grandmother, Susan, brought her to a social dance in 2018. The ballroom instantly felt like home, and it didn’t take long for her to start taking classes and finding her own style. She’s super grateful to her grandmother for not only introducing her to the dance, but supporting her throughout the years – even though Susan can’t dance anymore, she still goes to every social to watch Rylee dance; Lindy Hop is one way they bond. Ever since watching Mad Cat Swing perform for the first time, she has wanted to be part of the team, and is excited to perform at her first show!
Sarah Dickson
Sarah started dancing in 2017, loving the infectious joy of Lindy Hop, the creative freedom of Jazz, and the friendly community. This is Sarah’s first Fringe show with the team, and she is excited to be performing alongside her dance mentors and friends. Outside of dancing, she can be found camping, skiing, and singing.
Sydney Alessandrini
Sydney started dancing in 2013, and has found Lindy Hop to be quite healing. She had moved to Canada two years prior to starting dancing and was contending with homesickness and culture shock. When Sydney found dancing, she fell in love first with the dance, then with the community. Thinking about her inspiration for swing dance, good swing music is what moves her. Sydney also really loves the way that old timers used to dance; it shows what they went through, and although swing dancing has evolved a lot over time, she believes it’s important to always keep its roots in mind.
Tyrel Brochu
Tyrel is no stranger to dance – after doing Ukrainian dance all through grade school, he started swing dancing in 2008 and has been doing it ever since. Tyrel’s favourite song to dance to is Shiny Stockings by Count Basie. And when he’s not dancing, you can find Tyrel biking around Edmonton.
Guest Artists
Janae Davies
Tap Dancer
Janae has been tap dancing since age 4, and loves the fact that tap dancers can contribute to the music and play with the rhythms. One tap legend who inspires Janae (via video footage and stories) is Jimmy Slyde, who is known for adding slides in his dancing.
Miriam Ayles
Host
Miriam started out playing jazz music in grade school, so she was delighted to dance to jazz music at her first Lindy Hop social dance in the summer of 2012. She had such a great time that she started taking lessons right away, and she hasn’t looked back since. Her passion for swing dance is founded on the music, the community, and the artform. Her favourite swing dance styles are Lindy Hop, Blues, and Solo Jazz, and she’s recently become director of the new solo jazz team at Sugar Swing – a team so new that the name is still pending!
Tech Crew
Adam Pappas
Sound Tech
Adam has been a member of the Sugar Swing community for over 10 years but his fantasy of being a Lindy Hopper stretches back to his university days where he was first exposed to it in a small community that didn’t have a regular dance scene. During his time with Sugar Swing, he’s worn many hats including DJ, Sound/Lighting Tech and also spent several years on Mad Cat Swing which included dancing in all of their previous Fringe shows! Needing to take a dance break for personal reasons he was more than happy to join this year’s show as a tech which means just as much to him as dancing itself!
Carmen Young
Stage Manager
Carmen has been dancing a number of years, previously enjoying tango and salsa, but now a big fan of swing, with all its fun, creativity and great community. It is a wonderful addition to life and she recommends it to all!
Erin Wu
Stage Manager
Erin started dancing in 2019 and has been a valuable member of the community since. She is involved in many roles, such as organizing social dances, big events, and teaching. Her favourite song to dance to is Darktown Strutters’ Ball by Alberta Hunter.
Thank You
Thank you to all of our volunteers. This show would not be possible without you!
Costuming: Katryna
Marketing and Programs: Czarina, Paige, Sydney, Sarah, Reinier, Matt, Arta
Sugar Swing
Mad Cat Swing is based out of the Sugar Swing ballroom. At our studio people of all levels, ages, and abilities are welcome to come and share in the dance and music that we love. We have social dances every Friday and Saturday night where we tear up the dance floor. We also offer classes in Lindy hop, Charleston, blues, tap, and more! We hope to continue to foster and grow our dance community of kind and devoted dancers.
Lindy Hop History
Lindy Hop was born in the 1920’s and 1930’s in Harlem New York in response to changing music at the time. Lindy Hop is a vernacular social dance created by a largely African American community of people who blended African rhythms with European structured dance styles. This dance is generally high energy, with big kicks and large body movement. Lindy Hop at its purest form is an improvised dance, danced to jazz music with a partner.
One of the biggest places to Lindy Hop was the Savoy ballroom in New York City. The ballroom was so massive that it took up an entire city block and was one of the few integrated ballrooms where both black and white patrons and musicians were welcome. The ballroom could fit over 5,000 people in a single night and was open 5 nights a week. The floor received so much traffic that it needed to be fully replaced every three years. Some of the biggest names in early jazz music played at the Savory for eager dancers. Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Cab Calloway, Louis Armstrong, Count Basie, Chick Webb, Benny Goodman, and many more competed in the legendary battle of the bands at the Savoy ballroom. At it’s height, the battle of the bands between Chick Webb and Benny Goodman was so popular that it is estimated that over 25,000 people tried to attend but were turned away from the packed ballroom.
