Shag Explosion - February 15th-17th, 2013 in Ottawa!

Follow Shag Explosion on Twitter!

It's our 7th year!

Welcome to our 7th annual Shag Explosion! We're bringing back the Canadian Shag Dance Championships!

We'll also have classes aimed at different levels to ensure dancers of all levels get the most out of the weekend! With all these teachers, all these classes, some of the best Shag social dancing you can enjoy, and some spectacular contests that keep getting better every year, this is one weekend to remember!

Canadian Shag Dance Championships

Say WHAT? That's right! It's our 7th year! Check out the results of last year's Canadian Shag Championships!

What's Collegiate Shag?

Collegiate Shag is an exciting, fast-paced style of swing dancing emphasizing cool footwork and crazy kicks, that was especially popular among young people in the 20's and 30's. It's a dance that can be extremely fun and impressive-looking after an amazingly short time learning it, with lots of kicks and dynamic moves. Learn more about Collegiate Shag in the videos section.

Don't Miss the Party!

More than just a bunch of contests, the Shag Championships will be an amazing night of live swing music for an amazing night of Shag--and of course Charleston, Lindy Hop and Balboa if you want!

Teachers

One again, we've assembled some of North America's best swing dance teachers and performers to make your dancing explode! Check out 2013's stellar line-up!

What people have said about Shag Explosion

Great job once again with a Swing Dynamite event. There were plenty of reasons to be happy with this latest event including:

  • Not too much time used up by competitions, allowing for music and dance
  • Good out-of-town representation
  • Fabulous teachers:

Thanks again for a fine Shag Explosion IV.

- Steve Mohns, local Ottawa dancer and 2010 No Holds Barred Shag Vice-Champion

Congrats to the Swing Dynamite Team! You put on a wonderful event. From the minute I got there I was introduced to and dancing with all of you wonderful dancers including Bryn and Claudia and was heartened to feel so welcomed. The bands were amazing! I was particularly impressed with the clarinetist [David Renault of Dr. Jazz]... Man he could play! Despite the cold the likes of which this southern boy has never seen, I had a great time and I am looking forward to next year's event.

- David Lee, Shag Jam winner and Canadian Shag Champion 2009