Join us the weekend of June 20-22, for the Summer Ambi Swing Showdown 2025 in Detroit, Michigan!
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What does “ambi” or “ambidancetrous” mean?
Sadly we can’t take credit for this excellent pun, nor do we know where it originated. But it just refers to dancing both roles (leading and following) in a partner dance. An ambidancer is someone who dances both roles.
Switch dancing is changing roles within a song. Some ambidancers enjoy this interplay, while others prefer to stick to one role for the whole dance.
Do I need to be ambi to attend SASS?
This is probably our most frequently asked question, and the short answer is an emphatic: not at all! The whole point of SASS (and, indeed, Motor City Swing) is that dance role should be a choice, and we’re here to celebrate whatever your choice is.
That said, the classes and the Jo & Jo competition at SASS are ambi. So here’s the cheat sheet:
- For the social dances, SASS is for everyone, regardless of your role preferences and/or experience!
- If you enter the competition, you will need to demonstrate your skill in both leading and following. See the registration page for more information about what to expect.
- In the classes, you will be learning both roles together. See the classes page for more info about class expectations and prerequisites.
Got more questions?
Feel free to reach out to us, either through our contact page or on Facebook!
Motor City Swing 