Ottawa Line Dancing with Sylvie - Friendly line dancing classes for adults 50+, offered at the Carleton Heights Community Centre (Level 1 and Level 2) and the Diane Dean/Greenboro Community Centre(starting September). No partner needed. Line dancing is an easy, enjoyable way to stay active while improving balance, coordination, focus, and memory — all to great music. The steps are simple, the pace is relaxed, and the atmosphere is welcoming. Let's Dance!
A lovely final afternoon before summer with my Rideau Park group. Most of these dancers began as absolute beginners in January and have grown into joyful, confident movers. They can now continue in Level 1 for the pleasure of dancing or step into Level 2 if they’re ready for a new challenge.
**Keep dancing — it looks good on you.**
This is what we did:
Somebody Sway Twice
Electric Slide - Alt Music - Don't Expect A Reply - The Blue Shadows
Our Rideau Park group showed up in good number today, and we had a lot of fun learning my new dance, Somebody Sway. It includes a new step combination for this group, and it really seemed to appeal to everyone. We also took some time to work on the Monterey turn in Gin and Tonic, and the group really got a good grip on it today — great progress all around. The afternoon was full of joy and companionship, and it was lovely to see everyone dancing with confidence and ease.
**Repetition is your friend**
This is what we did:
Country As Can Be in a circle
Somebody Sway twice Video and Teach
A Little Bit of Mambo - Alt Music - Mambo #5 by Lou Bega
It was hot and humid in the church hall today, but a good number of dancers still came out. We kept things easy with a couple of simple new dances, and we also tested my new choreography. Quitter’s Groove went over very well, and it will definitely be on the agenda for the summer session.
** Repetition is your friend **
This is what we did:
Quitter's Groove - Video, Teach and Step Sheet
Daddy's hand Modified - Alt Mus: Ashes By Now - Lee Ann Womack
We had a lovely time dancing this afternoon. We learned a new dance and tried it in a circle, which made it especially fun. The whole class had an easy, relaxed feeling — like a gathering of friends. A really enjoyable day.
This is what we did:
Daddy's hand Modified - Alt Mus: Ashes By Now - Lee Ann Womack
Country as Can Be in a circle
We covered a lot of material today at Rideau Park United Church. I introduced three new dances along with the rock step, the Monterey Turn, and the Coaster Step. Everything went really well, and the group showed just how much progress they’ve made since we began. It was genuinely impressive to see how confidently everyone handled the new material.
Until next time.
This is what we did:
Daddy's hand Modified - Alt Mus: Ashes By Now - Lee Ann Womack
We were a smaller group today, but we danced really well and made the most of our time together. I introduced my new choreography Landmine — the music is fast, but the steps are easy, and it was fun to try something with a different kind of energy.
We worked through our remaining dances very nicely, and the whole afternoon had a cosy, relaxed feeling. This group has progressed so well, and it really shows in how confidently everyone moves now.
Until next week — “One step at a time, one smile at a time.”
This is what we did:
Landmine
A Little Bit of Mambo - Alt Music - Mambo #5 by Lou Bega
My Rideau Park group was keen to keep learning more challenging dances today, so we continued our work on No Boots Under My Bed. The step sequence is becoming clearer and easier for everyone, and the progress really showed. Good work.
We also learned two new dances this afternoon — Sweet Rhythm Soul (S.R.S.) and Cokernut Waltz — and both went very well. Cokernut Waltz was a lovely way to end the class on a smooth, relaxed note.
Until next week!
This is what we did:
A Little Bit of Mambo - Alt Music - Mambo #5 by Lou Bega
I was so excited about my new choreography, No Boots Under My Bed, that I completely scrapped my original plan and taught it first instead. We had a challenging time getting through it, but everyone worked hard and stayed with me — a real workout for all of us.
The rest of the class flowed smoothly as we reviewed the mambo and the shuffle, and it was lovely to see those steps settling in so well. We’ll keep polishing the new dance next week, and I know it will come together beautifully with a bit more practice.
Until then, have a wonderful week and keep dancing.
This is what we did:
No Boots Under my Bed - Video - Teach Video - Also posted on Copperknob
A Little Bit of Mambo - Alt Music - Speedy Gonzalez - AB Quintanilla III & Kumbia Kings
We had a very nice afternoon of dancing at Rideau Park today. We started with an easy warm‑up, Northbound Flame — a gentle tempo and a great way to ease into the class. I then introduced the mambo step with “A Little Bit of Mambo,” and we reviewed our shuffle/triple step using LLH Shuffle, which helped everything settle in nicely.
We also conquered A Bar Song full steam ahead, and it’s wonderful to see how confidently everyone is moving through it now. Great work today — steady progress, good focus, and plenty of fun.
This is what we did:
A Little Bit of Mambo - Alt Music - Blame It On the Bosa Nova - Jane McDonald
Cut a Rug - Alt Music - What a Crying Shame - The Mavericks
Rita's Waltz - Alt Music - The Lonely Waltz - The Mavericks
Rideau Park United Church – Class Update
After a two‑week hiatus, it was really nice to see everyone back and ready to dance this afternoon. We took things at a comfortable pace, reviewing our previously taught dances and continuing our work on "A Bar Song", which is coming along beautifully — a little smoother and a little faster each time. Well done, everyone!
This week we also introduced the shuffle / triple step, and the whole group caught on wonderfully. Great energy, great focus, and a lovely return to our Friday rhythm.
This is what we did:
Electric Slide - Alt Music - Don't Expect A Reply - The Blue Shadows
A Bar Song at 95%
Hi everyone,
Just a quick reminder that our classes are resuming this Friday after a couple of weeks off due to the room being unavailable. I’m really looking forward to seeing you back on the dance floor and picking up where we left off.
See you Friday!
We had a great group out for this afternoon’s class — spring is definitely in the air, and you could feel that extra bit of energy on the dance floor, helped along by the sun streaming through those beautiful windows. We revisited the dances from last week, and it’s amazing to see how much more comfortable everyone is becoming. The steps are settling in beautifully.
This is what we did:
A Bar Song at 93%
Electric Slide - Alt Music - Don't Expect a Reply - The Blue Shadows
We faced a brand‑new challenge together with “A Bar Song,” and it was remarkable to watch how quickly everyone picked it up. With the sun pouring through the windows and the whole group moving in sync, the lesson felt genuinely heart‑warming.
Please note: we are not accepting any new newcomers at this time.
If you’re looking for a beginner class, there is still space in my Carleton Heights Community Centre Level 1 and Level 2 classes offered through the City of Ottawa.
This is what we did:
A Bar Song - New - Twice
Electric Slide - Alt Music - Don't Expect a Reply - The Blue Shadows
Lyin' to my Heart - New
Our Friday drop‑in class at Rideau Park United Church has been wonderfully busy this season, and the group has now reached our weekly capacity. New arrivals will be welcome again come the new session in September.
Friends or family of current students are still welcome to come along — just arrive with the person who invited you.
** For absolute beginners:
If you’re looking to start your line dancing journey, I do have room in my Carleton Heights Community Centre class with the City of Ottawa. It’s a true absolute beginner‑friendly environment and a great place to learn the basics at a relaxed pace.
Wednesdays 1:00 – 2:00 p.m.
Wednesdays 2:15 – 3:15 p.m.
Carleton Heights Community Centre
1665 Apeldoorn Avenue
Ottawa, Ontario
Thank you all for making our initial Rideau Park group such a success. I’m looking forward to a great spring session together.
We had several newcomers join us today — brave souls for coming out to dance in the snow. We also introduced a restart and a tag, both new concepts for this group, and we’ll keep building on them together. Fun Fun!
Everybody Dance - New
Electric Slide - Alt Music - Don't Expect a Reply - The Blue Shadows - New
Booty to the Floor - New
Rita's Waltz - Alt Music - Tennessee Waltz - Anne Murray
Today was so much fun dancing to Irish music. Everyone moved with such lively energy — and really, who wouldn’t when the music is that joyful. Wishing everyone a very Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
This is what we did:
Say Goodbye Alt Music - Dirty Old Town - The Pogues
Mamma Maria Alt Music - Irish Stew - Sham Rock
Crash and Burn Alt Music - All for me Grog - Dubliners
Rocket to the Sun Alt Music The Bonnie Lady - Irish Rovers
Ah Si! Alt Music - Dance Above the Rainbow - Ronan Hardiman
Houdini Alt Music Emile's Reel - The Irish Descendants
Rita's Waltz Alt Music - Tennessee Waltz - Anne Murray
Looking forward to our line dancing class tomorrow at the Rideau Park United Church. With St. Patrick’s Day just around the corner, let’s bring a little Irish cheer into the room — if you’d like, wear a touch of green ☘️ to go along with the music. Nothing fancy, just a bit of colour to set the mood!
A lovely afternoon with the Rideau Park United Church group. Today we introduced the pivot turn and learned two new dances that featured it — everyone picked it up beautifully. We also welcomed five newcomers and it was great to have them with us. . With the sunshine pouring through the windows, it made for an especially bright and enjoyable class.
Just a reminder: there will be no class on April 10 or 17, as the room won’t be available.
This is what we did:
AB Fly Like a Bird - New
Cut A Rug - Alt Music What a Crying Shame, The Mavericks - New
Rita's Waltz - Alt. Music Anne Murray's Tennessee Waltz
A wonderful afternoon of dancing that we didn’t want to end. We introduced two new dances, including my favorite absolute‑beginner dance, and we also started working on a waltz. A special thank‑you to Wendy for joining us today, and a warm welcome to the newcomers who fit right in. A great session all around.
Here is what we did:
Rocket to the Sun Alt music Last Night - Travelling Wilburys
The Last Shanty New
Gloria AB At 94% and at 100%
Rita's Waltz Alt. Music Anne Murray's Tennessee Waltz - New
We had more newcomers join us today and they did very well. I introduced two new dances that use the V‑step, and the group picked them up quickly. Our dancers are progressing beautifully.
This is what we did:
Ah Si! ! Alt Music Cosita Linda - Orkestra Caribe
Ah Si! with original music
Rocket to the Sun Alt music Last Night - Travelling Wilburys