CALGARY TOWN OPEN
September 24-27, 2026
Socialize, embrace, evolve, and repeat
Two Ballrooms
One WEST COAST SWING, one Country
an epic dance experience, from Eh to Zed while supporting the soldier-on charity
Deerfoot Inn and Casino
TEAM
HOTEL AND TRAVEL
EVENT HOTEL
Deerfoot Inn & Casino – Calgary
Starting from $149/night
Rates based on double occupancy — please book accordingly.
11500 35 St SE #1000, Calgary
Come for the Party, Stay for the Perks
Make the most of your event experience with comfortable accommodations and unbeatable amenities:
Free hot breakfast In-room fridge, Wi-Fi, and Keurig coffee maker Free parking (including RV parking) Fitness centre, pool, and two hot tubs On-site lounges, restaurant, café, and sushi bar 24-hour complimentary coffee Live music every Friday and Saturday at the Wild Horse Pub
How to Book
Reserve your room today:
Call: 403-236-7529 or 1-888-875-INNS (4667)
Book online through the hotel website: HERE
Reference: CTO International Dance Convention
Stay where the action is—and enjoy every moment of your dance weekend.
Overflow Hotel
Service Plus Inns & Suites – Calgary
🏨 Starting from $144/night
Conveniently located just across the street from the Deerfoot Inn, this is the perfect backup option if the main hotel fills up.
Comfort & Convenience
Enjoy a relaxed stay with:
✅ Complimentary daily breakfast
✅ Easy access to the event location
✅ Comfortable, convenient accommodations close to all the action
How to Book
📞 Call: 403-256-5352
Reference: CTO – International Dance Convention
✨ Stay nearby and never miss a moment of the event. Book early to secure your spot!
FACEBOOK ROOMIES PAGE
Share a room, a Rideshare, or find a Strictly partner
FACEBOOK EVENT PAGE
Get the latest updates before and during the event
Westie Road Trip – Explore the Rocky Mountains
Monday, September 28
Get ready for an unforgettable Westie adventure in the Rockies!
Spots are limited!
Click HERE to see everything included and register early for the Early Bird discount.
Pack your bathing suit, hiking shoes, and of course—your dance shoes—and join us for a day filled with stunning scenery and great company. Soak in natural hot springs, enjoy scenic trail walks, discover breathtaking waterfalls and crystal-clear lakes, and explore the vibrant town of Banff.
As part of the experience, you’ll also enjoy lunch in Banff—plus a complimentary drink to top it off!
Hotel pick-up and drop-off included Small group experience – limited spots available Perfect blend of nature, relaxation, and dance community
This exclusive dancers’ tour is curated by Rewild Adventures, ensuring a seamless and memorable experience from start to finish.
Air Travel
Getting to Calgary (YYC)
Calgary International Airport (YYC) is a major hub, making it easy to find competitive flight options from across Canada and beyond.
To get the best deal, try using flight tracking tools like:
✈️ Skyscanner
✈️ Hopper
✈️ Google Flights
These platforms can help you monitor prices and book at the right time.
Getting to the Hotel
The event hotel is located at:
📍 11500 35 St SE #1000, Calgary
🚗 Ride-share (Uber/Lyft): Approximately $35–$55 each way between YYC and the hotel.
✨ Plan ahead, book early, and arrive ready to dance!
ACTIVITIES
social and special activities
Join us at Wild Horse Pub, located in the Casino area, for two Epic Pub nights. Enjoy great grub, music, dancing, and libations.
Saturday 7-8:30 pm, The Kitchen Party features classic music vibes with a full dinner buffet. We offer Vegan, Non-vegan, gluten-free, and lactose-free options.
After all-night dancing or a good night's sleep, be sure to save time for the Hotel's in-house cooked Hot buffet that's free for hotel guests until 10 am.
The True North show features performances by our Pro staff and invited local performers. After the show, it's your turn to shine when we take the group photo.
Join the show - email INFO@CTOdance.ca
We invite Event Sponsors to the hospitality suite for our cocktails and appetizers mingle on Friday at 8:30 pm. We thank you for supporting CTO. On Thursday, the Event Schedule will have the room number posted.
Pack your swimsuit for CTO. We've been granted special late-night access to the Hot Tub area for dancers to relax and socialize in either of the two hot tubs available.
We require those entering the area to ensure their beverage containers are non-breakable and have no alcohol labels.
Sign up at our Merch table for a five-minute tune-up with your favourite Pro (WCS C2S, CS, NC2) for just $10 CASH. 50% of the fees collected are donated to Soldier-On.
Initial Bookings are restricted to two Private lesson slots with two different coaches per person. Remaining time slots within an hour or during the session are unrestricted. Sign up during the session next to the DJ booth.
A nod to Canadian Hockey history: Coach's Corner was Don Cherry's television segment to critique NHL games.
Sunday, choose your favourite two Pro Strictly couples by placing tickets in their ticket boxes.
Grab your two tickets during check-in or purchase extra tickets from the Merch table or next to the DJ Booth before the competition begins ($2 ea). 50% of the competition fees collected go to Soldier-On.
Krazy Canuck Challenge is like a Pro-Am Jack & Jill in prelims. In finals, it turns into a Head-to-head battle for Dancers aged 16 and over.
Judges select the winner of each round by raising a red or black flag. We’ll select seven ticket-draw holders to judge. You must recuse yourself if your ticket is drawn and there is a conflict of interest because of a relationship with one of the finalists.
Grab your ticket during check-in or purchase extra tickets from the Merch table or next to the DJ Booth before the competition begins ($2 ea). 50% of the competition fees collected go to Soldier-On.
Dancers aged 50 plus are invited to join the Event Director on Friday at 8:00 pm in the hospitality suite for appetizers and drinks. On Thursday, the event schedule will have the room number posted.
The Event Director invites the volunteers helping make CTO a success to the staff Pizza party. It happens Friday at 5:30 pm in the Hospitality suite. See the event schedule for details.
Join the team here.
Workshops and Competitions
Country Swing is the fastest way to start enjoying social dancing. Classes are open to all dancers.
Workshops labelled Level 1, 2, or 3 are open to everyone, allowing you to learn at a pace that suits you.
Country Two Step classes are open to all dancers.
Workshops labelled Level 1, 2, or 3 are open to everyone, allowing you to learn at a pace that suits you.
Line dance classes are open to all dancers. Discover new and classic dance routines to your favourite songs in different genres.
Workshops labelled Level 1, 2, or 3 are open to everyone, allowing you to learn at a pace that suits you.
Nightclub Two Step classes are open to all dancers.
Workshops labelled Level 1, 2, or 3 are open to everyone, allowing you to learn at a pace that suits you.
Workshops labelled Level 1, 2, or 3 are open to everyone, allowing you to learn at a pace that suits you. These classes deliver new concepts to help you learn the latest trends in WCS.
We strongly encourage you to challenge yourself! However, if you find the material is too advanced, we kindly ask that you either step out to audit the class or stay with a designated partner rather than rotating.
WSDC Competitor, discover levelled workshops that offer skills development for Novice, Intermediate, and Advanced competitors. Levelled classes provide an exclusive environment for peers to excel in their learning. All dancers may attend the Novice Workshops. Dancers must qualify to compete in Intermediate to attend Intermediate workshops, or qualify to compete in Advanced to attend Intermediate and Advanced workshops. We are not holding auditions to level up.
2-Hour Intensive with Michael
We’re excited to bring you a dynamic 2-hour Intensive designed to elevate your dance quality and expand your styling options.
Start by learning a specially designed Line Dance, created by Michael Kielbasa and Michael Kiehm, focused on improving your movement, control, and overall technique.
Then, get ready for those “aha” moments as Michael breaks everything down and shows you how to seamlessly apply these moves into your social dancing.
You’ll leave with practical tools you can use right away on the dance floor—feeling more confident, polished, and expressive.
How to Join
✨ This Intensive is available as an ADD-ON
Be sure to select it after purchasing your Event Pass
Country Swing Jack & Jill are under the Country Swing Dance Council (CSDC).
🌐: Visit the website HERE
- As a new competitive social dance, judges will be looking at timing and technique with moves that avoid partner lifts where the hips go above the shoulders and dips below the leader's knees. See the Competition Rules.
- Jack & Jill competitions are restricted to those aged 16 and over by the end of the event weekend.
Our Country Two Step Jack & Jill is part of the Country Two Step Tour. We offer levels for Newcomer, Novice, Intermediate, and Advanced. Please confirm your CTST level and number when registering here.
- Jack & Jill competitions are restricted to those aged 16 and over by the end of the event weekend. See rules here.
Winners take home 50% of comp entry fees, with 50% donated to Soldier-On.
The Krazy Canucks Challenge is a unique competition format—similar to a Pro-Am Jack & Jill—and always a crowd favourite!
Eight leaders and eight followers are selected from prelims to compete in the spotlighted, head-to-head finals, run in an exciting Swing 16 format. It’s fast-paced, high-energy, and showcases versatility, connection, and performance under pressure.
A Nod to Canadian History
The name “Krazy Canucks” celebrates Canada’s legendary 1970s World Cup Alpine ski team—known worldwide for their bold, fearless racing style.
Eligibility & Rules
- Dancers must be 16 years of age or older by the end of the event weekend
- Jack & Jill competitions are restricted to this age group
- Definitions for Pro and Amateur classifications are found here, while full rules are located here.
✨ Get ready to bring your best, embrace the challenge, and be part of one of the most exciting events of the weekend!
Winner-Share-All. 50% of its comp fees go to First place, and 50% goes to the Soldier-On charity.
Competitors, aged 13+, will dance up to two routines through prelims, semi-finals, and finals. Be sure to review our Competition page to see this year's songs and access the line sheets.
Pro-Am Routine – Open to all levels below Advanced.
- Routines must be 1.5 to 3 minutes in length. Amateurs must be aged 13 and over by the end of the event weekend, dancing WCS, CTS, or CS. Music should be submitted to the Chief DJ at least one week before the event weekend or two weeks before operations@ctodance.ca.
- Pro-Am Routine division is restricted to those aged 13 and over by the end of the event weekend. See rules here. The definitions of Pro and Amateur are found here.
This is a winner-take-all competition - 100% of its comp fees collected goes to first place. Teams are composed of three or more dancers of any skill level dancing a 1.5 to 3-minute routine in the style of WCS, CW, C2S, NC2 or Line dance.
J&J competitions offered - Newcomer to All-Star. Plus, the Masters, and the Event Director's Invitational.
Strictly competitions are offered for Masters, Newcomer/Novice, Intermediate, Open (all levels), and Charity Pro. Pros may select any partner who is a Pro or holds a weekend event pass.
Winners of the Charity Pro receive 50% of their comp entry fees, with 50% donated to Soldier-On.
- Dancers must be age 13 or older. See rules here.
Join the team that brings this epic dance experience to life. Earn a refund on your pass and comp fees of $20 to $30 per hour after completing a minimum of 1 hour volunteering to support Soldier-On. You can choose how much and when to help in a way that fits your schedule.
The Soldier On Charity
Soldier On is a program managed and delivered by Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services. The program helps ill and injured CAF members and veterans pursue recovery, rehabilitation, and connection through sport, recreation, and creative activities.
Since its inception in 2007, Soldier On has supported more than 16,000 serving military members and veterans, offering a safe and inclusive environment focused on recovery, personal growth, and renewed purpose.
Soldier On supports ill and injured members and Veterans through four key avenues: Outreach and Awareness, Introductory Activities, Active For Life, and High Profile Games.
HOW CTO RAISES DONATION FUNDS
We host charity activities during the event weekend. Pro staff donate their time to participate in these activities. 50% of the fees collected from these activities, which include registrations and extra draw ticket sales, are donated to the charity. This year, the activities include Coach’s Corner, Pro Strictly division, Line Dance Challenge, and the Krazy Canucks Challenge.
