The Hep Cat Hoppers were a bunch of young, enthusiastic and crazy Lindy Hopping cats from 2009, living and working in Waterloo Region. They performed classic vintage solo jazz and partner swing dance routines. They went on to create an inclusive social community, built a sustainable swing dance studio uptown Waterloo, Ontario, and was nominated by Waterloo Region's Arts Award for artistic excellence, sustained development and impact in the Waterloo Region community.
July 2022.
The Hep Cat Hoppers are providing three outdoor swing dance lessons at the Uptown Waterloo Jazz Festival. We hope to see you out dancing. See schedule for dates and times.
www.waterloojazzfest.com/event-details
April 2022.
The company made it through the worst part of the health crisis and many things have changed in the last two years.
Between teaching virtual dance lessons and group classes online, creating and publishing downloadable content, we are now offering only one service
until there is more public health predictability in the local area and country. The Hep Cat Hoppers will continue to provide swing dance performances as a service.
We encourage everyone to go out and be a part of the community. Social dancing promotes mental and physical well being.
-- David Trinh, Owner & Founder
The Hep Cat Hoppers (2009-2015) was a swing dance performance troupe that started out performing classic 1930s routines with the Royal City Big Band. They soon became the only swing dance and music club in Waterloo Region teaching dance, playing live and recorded music and hosting social dance parties.
The dance troupe began hosting local weekly dances with live music by local musicians. Soon, introductory dance lessons and beginner Lindy Hop, Charleston, West Coast Swing, Balboa and Blues classes were being taught weekly. They also hosted a weekly Swing and Blues radio show on the FM airwaves to reach out to those who couldn't attend but could listen in.
The Hep Cat Hoppers raised enough capital to open up their own swing era studio and dance hall. They soon were offering several classes each night of the week, with regular social dancing and jazz music jam sessions with two in house swing and blues bands. While priming successors to operate the club and preparing for a sustainable scene.
The community members of the local swing dance and music scene formed a not for profit organization and the Hep Cat Hoppers began phasing out their operations. As part of their vision to create a sustainable swing era community, they successfully implemented a two year succession plan that allowed this transition to take place.
In six short years (2009-2015), a small group of hard working, skilled and talented swing dancers created a sustainable dance business in Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario which impacted many lives in the area. They provided rich cultural experiences and focused on the Golden Age, while exploring the joyful dance of Lindy Hop and swing jazz music.
The community members of Waterloo Region recognized the work and value provided by The Hep Cat Hoppers.
In 2011, The Hep Cat Hoppers were awarded for
"The excellence in maintaining
the spirit and history of swing dancing
in the Region of Waterloo"
-- Toronto International Swing Dance Championships
In 2016, The Hep Cat Hoppers was nominated for artistic excellence, sustained development and impact on the Waterloo Region community.
Several video clips were put together so you can see how they implemented a supportive, happy, safe and fun environment. Values which everyone operated by to become sustainable.
Building a Sustainable Swing Scene. Watch a video of how The Hep Cat Hoppers created a sustainable swing era community in six years starting in 2009.
Can't see the video, copy and paste this link into your web address bar youtu.be/rSt3ZXjNd_gNominated in the performing arts category for artistic excellence, sustained development and impact on the Waterloo Region community.
Can't see the video, copy and paste this link into your web address bar youtu.be/3FSj9yT5FC4If you are looking for a swing dance performance at your event. Contact them using the information in the Contact section below.
525 Highland Road West, Suite 350
Kitchener, Ontario, N2M 5P4
