hopdogsdance.com

Frequently Asked Questions

• What kind of music do you play?
• Is there a certain type of dancing taught at HopDogs?
• What ages of kids will enjoy HopDogs?
• Can little kids really learn dance moves?
• Can grown-ups really learn dance moves?
• Do we have to take the lesson?
• My partner and I have 3 kids. How much will it cost for all of us?
• When is HopDogs?
• Where is HopDogs?
• Will there be food available?
• Is there a diaper-changing station?
• Is there a quiet room?
• Can I drop my children off?
• Can I come without my kids?
• What’s with the name HopDogs?
• What is the Doghouse?
  
• Who are Chad and Melanie?
• What is our Philosophy?

What kind of music do you play?

The kind of music that will make you get up and dance! (Even if you can’t dance yet!) Our DJ spins only the greatest and most kid-friendly tunes from the 20’s, 30’s, 40’s, 50’s, 60’s, 70’s, 80’s, 90’s, and today. There’s something for everyone every night, and it’s a great way to expose kids to a wide range of musical styles.

Is there a certain type of dancing taught at HopDogs?

All kinds of dance! HopDogs is a place to have fun while learning just enough about the history of dance to make it interesting! On any given night, we might teach some old jazz moves from the 20’s, like Charleston kicks, Bees Knees, or the Cakewalk. Or some Lindy Hop moves from the 30’s and 40’s, like Big Apple, The Itch, Shim Sham Shimmy, Susie Q, Truckin’, or Shorty George.

If we’re in a 50’s mood, you’ll learn a little Hand Jive, Stroll, Madison, Bunny Hop, Limbo, or Conga Line. On theme nights, you might learn some Hula, Cajun Zydeco, Polka, Cha-Cha, Salsa, or Merenge moves.

Some of our personal favorites are from the 60’s - the Twist, the Swim, the Pony, the Fly, Mashed Potato, Jerk – and the 70’s - Funky Chicken, The Bump, Hustle, and the Bus Stop.

And how could we forget the 80’s, with Running Man, Cabbage Patch, Moonwalk, Robo-Cop, and Break Dancing. You name it! Each month we’ll bring in a great kid-friendly instructor to break it all down for you. (And, of course, we will always have at least one round of the Hokey Pokey or Chicken Dance, just to keep it interesting!)

What ages of kids will enjoy HopDogs?

All ages! Our own kids are 18 months and 9 years old, and they both love it. There’s room for both silly and sophisticated dancing at HopDogs, and we think both are great. We will provide a quiet area with books, pillows, and toys for the little ones who need a break, and there will be snacks to keep their energy up. Older kids and ‘tweens will enjoy the music and movement, and “hanging out” with each other in the comfortable lounge area (within easy view and a few feet of the dance floor).

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Can little kids really learn dance moves?

Absolutely! They won’t do them just the way you do, Mom and Dad, but that’s not the point. Showing kids all the different ways they can move their bodies is the goal. Early exposure to creative movement can make a world of difference for kids’ later enjoyment of dancing. Start ‘em young!

We’ve danced with our kids since they were born. We’ll show parents fun ideas for gentle dancing with babes in arms or front carriers, and we’ll teach simplified dance movement for toddlers and preschoolers, and show them how improvise using their imagination. We’ll introduce school-age kids to the fundamentals of dancing, like body isolations, and leading and following with a partner. Each 30 minute class is thoughtfully designed so that kids of all ages will have fun learning at their own developmental level.

Can grown-ups really learn dance moves?

Old dogs can definitely learn new tricks at HopDogs! We believe that if you can move, you can dance. In our classes, there are no mistakes, just new dance moves! Neither one of us started dancing until adulthood, and now we’ve been teaching adults to swing dance for years. Just wait ‘til you see that huge smile on your partner’s face as you start moving him or her around the room…and, if the parents get up and dance, who do you think will join them?

Do we have to take the lesson?

Yes, unless you have a note from your mom.

In all seriousness, we would recommend that you take the lesson at least a few times, as it will give your kids a lot of self-confidence, and help them transition into the dance (and may help with your own transition as well!). But it is not required. Don’t let the fact that you couldn’t get out the door in time for the lesson keep you away! (Yeah, we’ve been there, too…)

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My partner and I have 3 kids. How much will it cost for all of us?

We charge a flat fee of $5.00 per person, up to four people in a family. So, two parents and two kids = $20, or one parent and three kids = $20. Two parents and THREE kids? Still only $20. The third kid* in a family is free! (We figure at that point, you guys need all the help you can get. )
*Three parents and two kids??? Sorry, Charlie, all adults have to pay!

Can I bring my kids and their friends, too? How much does that cost?

We encourage you to bring your kids’ friends, but the third-kid-free policy applies only to family members. No fair bringing the whole third-grade carpool and only paying for two of them. So, if the Lee family with two parents and two kids also bring two of the Smith family’s kids, they would pay $20 for the Lees, and $10 for the Smiths (that’s some pretty affordable high-quality childcare for Momma and Papa Smith).

IMPORTANT NOTE: As we said, we really encourage you to bring friends along. Our one request is that you please try to keep a 1:3 adult-to-child ratio in your group, or bring along your own sheepdog.

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When is HopDogs?

HopDogs takes place the last Saturday of every month. Doors open at 5pm, and the lesson runs from 5:15 to 5:45pm. DJ’d dancing goes from 5:45 to 7:30pm. You’re welcome to stick around, and transition out slowly. After HopDogs, our weekly Saturday swing dance – the Doghouse – begins in the studio down the hall.

HopDogs grand opening is Feb 24th! Tell your friends!

Where is HopDogs?

HopDogs is at the fabulous new ODC Dance Commons, at 351 Shotwell St.,between 17th & 18th St. in San Francisco. It is a luxurious, clean, and safe brand-new space with state-of-the-art dance floors and sound systems. Come and check out all the great dance classes ODC has to offer for both kids and adults!

The closest BART is 16th and Mission station, and there is also lots of parking for only $1.50 in a fenced lot on 17th and Shotwell – just a half block away.

Will there be food available?

Yes, we know busy little bodies need a recharge! We’ll provide simple kid snacks, like string cheese and goldfish crackers, and plenty of water to drink. Feel free to bring your child’s favorite snacks, too. We will provide an area outside the studio for eating. Sorry, grown-ups, the snacks we provide are for the kiddos!

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Is there a diaper-changing station?

There is no changing table, but there is an area set aside for changing. Please bring your own supplies. (As if you ever leave home without them.) ODC Dance Commons also has a beautiful changing room with lockers.

Is there a quiet room?

For the parents or the kids? Yes, there’s a cozy corner with books, toys, and pillows.

Can I drop my children off?

No, we are not a daycare! HopDogs is a family dance, and we hope you will make it a fun new family tradition.

Can I come without my kids?

Sorry, no adults admitted without a child.

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What’s with the name HopDogs?

Have you heard the old saying, “My dogs are barking”? It’s an old-fashioned way of saying that your feet are tired. Our original Saturday swing dance is called the Doghouse – a place for your dogs to bark all night. Little ones tend to “hop” around when they dance on their little dogs. Dogs, doghouse, sock-hop…HopDogs!

What is the Doghouse?

Our original Saturday night swing dance, where we teach all the swing dances from East Coast Swing to Lindy Hop (the original form of swing). Take classes and dance every Saturday from 7:30pm until 12:30am. (Time to call the sitter!) www.doghouseswing.com

Who are Chad and Melanie?

Chad is the original ambassador of swing dance in the Bay Area. He co-founded the Doghouse and Lindy in the Park, two of the longest-running dances in San Francisco. A graphic illustrator, and work-at-home dad, he is also a dance teacher who uses his extensive martial arts training to bridge the ideas of dance and community, through movement, connection, momentum, centering, and balance.

Melanie has a Ph.D. in child development, and consults with non-profit organizations and foundations in the Bay Area and nationally. In her spare time, she teaches lindy hop with Chad locally and all over the world. Chad and Melanie live in San Francisco with two daughters, two dogs, and one cat. They are both passionate about creating places for all people to connect and dance.

What is our Philosophy?

In this fast-paced time, people sometimes lose their sense of connection with co-workers, friends, families, their own children, and even themselves. Dance is one way to discover that connection again. Not so long ago, younger and older people in all sorts of communities looked forward to Saturday nights, when there would always be a dance going on somewhere (instead of a TV show they were staying home to watch). We’d like to bring communities of people together through dancing again, for our kids’ sake, and our own. Dance is a way of sharing new ideas, experiences, appreciation of physical movement and music, creating and strengthening relationships, and building shared memories. When we dance, we connect with our own humanity. It joins us, inspires us, and just plain makes us happy. Come dancing!

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