The slow disappearance of third places like cafes, bars and social clubs has left many people searching for community. One place Edmontonians find connection is at Sugar Swing Ballroom, where swing, jazz, Lindy hop and other dance styles bring people together. Through classes, weekend socials and performances, the swing community is flourishing in Edmonton.
Birkley Wisniewski, Sugar Swing’s founder and artistic director, calls swing dancing “playtime for adults.” Swing checks a lot of boxes of things missing in the average adult’s life — not only community and social interaction, but physical movement and creative expression.
“It’s a street dance. It’s meant for the masses,” he says. While some people dedicate hours to mastering the dance, Sugar Swing also hosts drop-in lessons for beginners, and people of all skill levels will find a welcoming community at the dance socials. Regulars and attendees come from all backgrounds and walks of life, and Wisniewski says the group is generous and welcoming. No need to bring a partner — asking someone to dance is all part of the fun. And swing dancing to DJ’d tunes from the ‘30s and ‘40s treats you with a taste of a bygone era.
Many of the dances practiced and performed at Sugar Swing originate in Black American communities, tracing their roots to Harlem jazz clubs in the early 20th century. Wisniewski emphasizes the importance of honouring these histories.
Marking 20 years this year, Wisniewski reflects on what it takes to sustain a community with hundreds of regulars who show up on Friday and Saturday nights, even after the pandemic and with the pressure of inflation. But Wisniewski says he’s guided by his belief in offering something vital to the community, not just making something for himself.
“It’s for the greater good,” he says. “It’s the kind of thing that’s missing from our lives.”
Sugar Swing is a growing dance community with a number of celebrations, from the Stardust Swing and Jazz Festival (May 31 – June 1, 2025) to the fall’s Lindy Harvest (October 2 – 5, 2025), which draws artists from around the world.
Sugar Swing Ballroom
Ritchie | 10019 80 Ave NW, Edmonton | 587.786.6554 | sugarswing.com
