Dust off your boots, ladies and gentlemen, because Canada’s largest and longest running country, West Coast swing, and line dance event is almost here!

This year’s event, happening April 11-14, 2019, will be the 28th anniversary of the Calgary Dance Stampede. Dancers will arrive from all over the world to compete in this regional event sanctioned by the United Country Western Dance Council (UCWDC). Dancers’ results here will affect their qualification for the Country Dance World Championships in January 2020.

UCWDC Divisions include ProAm, ProPro, Couples, Teams, and Line Dance. This writer is looking forward to the Couples’ Masters, Crown, and SuperStars events on Saturday. These particular events bring the best-of-the-best in country. 

Calgary also offers multiple Jack n’ Jill competitions in country swing and West Coast swing, in which dancers are randomly assigned a dance partner! Would you enter an event without knowing who you were going to compete with? 

Calgary Dance Stampede offers more than competition however. There are more than 110 different workshops for everyone from the greenest grasshopper to the seasoned veteran dancer. Social dancing is also offered every night with different rooms available to dance country, West Coast swing or line dance. 

Saturday night hosts the Campfire Ball, an elegant evening of dinner and dancing, with a showcase of professional dancers from all over the world and a wide variety of styles, everything from country to contemporary. It promises to be a night to remember.

If you’re in or around Calgary, you can come and watch all of the amazing dancing for FREE. All you have to do is bring a non-perishable food item. Calgary Dance Stampede has partnered with the Calgary Food Bank in an effort to “dance away hunger.” It’s wonderful when dancers come together and support the local community!

If you’re not local to the area, don’t worry! You can watch the event live on FloDance.

See you on the dance floor.