Partner Dance
Who are Partner Series Dance classes appropriate for?
Anyone who has ever danced in their own minds, or at least in the relative privacy of their own cars. No really, all group classes are ongoing and are designed for people just starting, or those who have some experience but want their dancing to progress from knowing steps to truly dancing with style and ease. By layering the basics with style, technique, and by offering advanced options, people of various levels are challenged. (After all, the “yoga folks” do the downward dog pose again and again and again, and still continue to grow from the experience. Sorry yoga folks).
These classes are taught with the social dancer in mind. This style of dance is not for competition, nor will we be preparing you for prime time (i.e. “Dancing with the Stars” ed. but taking this classes certainly can't hurt). It is simply for fun!
Later, we will add more advanced classes. PRIVATE LESSONS are available for advanced students and are especially helpful for wedding couples.
Class Format
Each class will cover two different dances, with instruction for an hour followed by a 30-minute practice session. The teacher will be on hand to help with those “stuck” moments or to settle disputes. We can all practice our mistakes in a forgiving atmosphere before taking the show on the road. The dances being taught in any given session will be posted on a schedule and will rotate. Learning a variety of dances is strongly suggested as all dances are inter-related and you will be able to dance to many different types of music.
Dance Etiquette
The classes are designed so that both couples and singles can participate. By “sharing” partners we will ensure that all get more “bang” for the buck since this hones our skills. If the numbers don’t “match” up, the teacher can step in and be a partner. We just ask that all be understanding of one another during the learning process. Allow the teacher to do the coaching, although feedback (gently delivered) can be very helpful.What to Wear
It is best to wear clothing that is easy to move in, but clothing that makes you feel good. Lots of people do like to wear things that are similar to what they might wear when they go out. You can “try them out”. Are they too tight? Too short? Can I move in them? Don’t spend all this money to be uncomfortable when you go out!Shoes
Ballroom shoes for men and women make a huge difference and once you try them, you will want to wear them for dancing when you are out as well as for class. They come in a variety of styles so you should be able to find something that will suit your tastes. They even have white satin heals for weddings or that you can dye for special occasions. . They even have very cool dance sneakers that can be worn in your “regular” life.
Dance Styles
Each dance, like each genre of music, has its own feeling. They are all inter-related like languages; so that the more dances you know, the easier it is to learn another. Though you may choose which classes to attend, we encourage you to try a broad range of dances so that you will be able to dance in any social setting…or even just in your kitchen. Besides, each dance allows you to express a different side to yourself. Why leave any side ignored?
Below the dances are paired as they will be on the schedule:
Foxtrot/Swing
Foxtrot is an elegant, romantic, smooth dance that goes for example, to the music in the Frank Sinatra/Natalie Cole genre. This dance is perfect for beginners because it teaches the concept of leading, following and getting around the dance floor before we tackle dances where we are moving too fast to think straight.
Swing dancing comes from the American Jazz era and has continued to “morph ” by using Rock and Roll, current and Country music. Lots of spins and turns make this casual dance such a hit for so long.
Rumba/ Cha Cha
Rumba and Cha Cha are both dances that will encompass Latin movement and style. Rumba is a slow dance of seduction that can be done to current music as well as traditional Latin music, while Cha Cha is fun and flirtatious and is best suited for faster music (tunes with a lot of percussion, think Gloria Estafan).
Mambo/ Samba
Samba is taught just because we like it. Well, it is also used to accompany various types of island music or Brazilian music, and even some funky rap music works well with this dance. It truly can be a great movement challenge, and you just may find yourself in need of such a dance at Marti Gras. The Mambo teaches the dancer to move with speed, flair and precision. (Salsa is a relaxed cousin to the Mambo. We will play with this dance as well).
Latin Hustle/Merengue
This class will concentrate on the Latin Hustle (although it is so often misunderstood…. you know, that outdated 70’s image thing that the poor Hustle has been trying to overcome for years). But the current version of the dance is done to club music, or any music that has a constant heavy downbeat. Those that like dances that “spin me so I don’t think anymore” will love this dance. But don’t worry, we start slow and it sneaks up on you…the love of the Hustle that is. Merengue will give your feet a break from thinking (if feet think), but with your upper body, you can use tons of the spins and turns that you have been learning in the other dances. Merengue is perfect for dancing on a cruise ship, in a Latin club, or on vacations in the Islands.
