The Belle Of The Ball!

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Mesa Ballroom dancing studiosWhen you think of going to a ball, often the vision of Cinderella and her wicked stepsisters comes to mind. Yet, when you come into our studios, you are learning some of the very same steps that a lady at the ball would learn to dance! Ballroom dancing has that same root, ballare, or “to dance”. Long before the fairy tales, people were creating new dance styles. Some of the more notable ballroom dances are the waltz, rumba, cha-cha, tango and the foxtrot. These now very popular ballroom dance styles are not earlier than the 1900’s! Even before the birth of the renaissance period, people played around with the Polka and an early form of square dancing called quadrille. These earlier 16th and 17th century dances gave distinction between folk dancing and social dancing. A dance called the minuet was a huge step in social dancing’s success, because it was the first dance to be focused on elegance and dance etiquette.
You may also be interested to know that the closed frame, or one hand hold, position for dancing was a huge revelation in the 18th century. What was the first ‘ballroom’ dance to be danced in the closed position? Waltz! Having an extended period of time where partners were so close to each other was seen as very scandalous at the time.
Today, the closed position for ballroom dancing is very typical and often dancers will travel from an open to a closed position quite frequently. Also within this transition is the creation of competitive ballroom dancing! Now, couples can compete in many different types of ballroom dances; jive, mambo, quickstep and samba along with many other loved ballroom dances. Ballroom dancing has come along way between its creation and today! We can now all learn to move gracefully along the dance floor in a way that would make Cinderella proud! (Prince not included)

Two Stepping With Style!

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Phoenix Country Western Two Step DancingYou’ve heard of two step dancing, and you have decided to take a stab at it, since there are many popular places to two step in the area. Wait a minute—there’s more than one type of two step dancing?! Dance FX offers country two step AND nite club two step! How do you know which one to try first? Why are they both different dances with the same name?
Never fear, although both styles of two step are different, they have many similarities, which means they are both labeled as the same style of dance. But we can give you an idea of the differences so you know exactly which style you’re ready to jump in to!
The broad term “two step” merely defines the construction of steps for the basic. These steps are slow and quick according to how many beats of music they use to execute.The combination of ‘slows’ and ‘quicks’ can vary according to which form of two step you’re doing.
Nite Club Two is a slow, quick, quick timing (S,Q,Q) which has a slightly more bolero dance-style-feeling to it and is less likely to be played to country music. Instead, this more romantic version is typically danced to slower music, which carries more passion through the dance moves. Also known as Disco Two Step or California Two Step (if it wasn’t hard enough with only TWO names!) this two step version works along a horizontal line during the basic step.
The country two step, on the other hand, uses a quick, quick, slow, slow (QQSS) count. This is also seen as the more upbeat, lively version of two step. Country two step can be danced to country music, but is not limited to the music genre. The country two step travels more vertically than the nite club two step, and the country version progresses counterclockwise along the dance floor.
So now you can confidently prepare for your two-stepping excursions! You can learn the style that you are most drawn to, and step out on the right foot!

What to Wear For YOUR First Dance

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first dance classes for wedding mesa azA-line, ball-gown, mermaid, trumpet, strapless, simple, flashy, sleek & sexy, big & loud. Wedding dresses can be so many things but how do we know which one is going to be perfect for your first dance as husband and wife? There are a few guidelines that I like to follow when choosing what to wear while you boogie down.

1. Try to choose a dress that your legs can move freely in. A mermaid or trumpet style isn’t quite ideal for dancing because they can be constricting below the waist. An A-line or even a ball-gown are great choices to show off your moves in. Those legs can move forward, back, up and down with ease as your new husband shows you off to your family and friends.

2. Go for dresses that have lighter fabric. Silk, tool and lace are great choices. Satin, cotton, and polyester are heavier fabrics that can make it more difficult to maneuver around the dance floor. On your wedding day, you want to feel light, airy and on top of the world, not heavy, bulky or weighed down. The less layers, the better!

3. If you go strapless, don’t forget the double sided tape! Ladies, in order to prevent your guests from getting a striptease, put some tape between your chest and dress. Especially for that big dip at the end! We don’t want to give them a show unless they are paying for it, hahaha!

4. The shoes! Stay away from platforms and anything higher than a 3 inch heel. In order to get that fluid, “dancing in the clouds” look, we must have a shoe that’s lower to the ground and is strapped securely to your foot. The worst thing would be kicking up your leg and hitting your grandmother in the face with your 6 inch platform. The lighter and lower to the floor your shoe is, the lighter we look up on top. If we wear a bulky shoe, we will be klunking around the dance floor looking like we weigh a thousand pounds heavier. We don’t want that! Go for small and strapy! Tip: You can also change your shoes for your dance and then change back into your platforms if you like.

Guys, I have a few tips for you too!

1. If possible, dancing without your jacket allows you to turn your wife with ease and grace. You could even incorporate your wife removing your jacket for you at the beginning of the dance before you start shakin’ it.

2. Dance shoes are a great investment! Tux rental shoes tend to be very slippery and the last thing you want in your photo album are shots of the groom taking a face dive into the dance floor during that special moment. Dance shoes allow a certain grip while still helping you look “smooth as butta”.

Take these helpful hints into consideration when showing off your moves on your wedding day. A great first dance can be a memory that will last forever for you and your guests!

Zumba® “Day of Love” Event: It’s Zumba-tastic!

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Zumba fitness in Mesa AZ with Frankie and SuzanneJoin the party with Frankie, Suzanne and Kisha at Dance FX Studios “Day of Love” event on Saturday, February 11 at 10:30 am. Dance off those Valentine’s treats in our 2 hour class with 3 of Phoenix’s best Zumba® fitness instructors.

Fun goodies for Zumba’s “Day of Love” attendees will include a free pass to a flirting workshop hosted by professional Scottsdale matchmaker and relationship coach, Joann Cohen amongst other fun surprises.

Tickets are available now for this special Zumba event so what are you waiting for? Reserve your spots today! Tickets are $15 pp.

Dance FX Studios is located in Mesa on the south east corner of Dobson and Guadalupe near Chandler and Tempe off the 101 highway. 480.968.6177. Zumba® fitness classes are held at 3 times/week at Dance FX Studios. Go to http://dancefxstudiosevents.com for more information on Zumba classes at Dance FX.

Dance FX Studios’ Annual Valentine’s Day Dance

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Swing Dancing with Live Music for Valentine's DayHave you gotten your tickets yet for Dance FX Studios’ Valentine’s Day themed party on Friday, February 3 at 7 pm? Don’t miss out on this annual event with live music by swing dancing and oldies band “Come Back Buddy”!

What will the night entail? We will kick off the evening with dinner (restaurant TBA) and dessert provided by one of our sponsors SugarLips Cakery. From there, our guests will join us for a beginner’s swing dancing class, general dancing, mingling and a raffle. One hundred percent of raffle monies will be donated to The Wounded Warrior Project, Dance FX Studios’ charity of choice for 2012.

If you love to dance Swing, Country Two Step, Nite Club 2 Step and other fun ballroom dances, this is the party for you. Tickets are just $35 pp or $20 pp when you sign up with 10+ people (group discount). Tickets can be purchased online by clicking here.

Dance FX Studios is a social ballroom dancing studio for adults (couples and singles) who are looking to gain social confidence, add romance and meet new people though dancing. We provide a fun, interactive service to the community that allows for stress-relief, an opportunity to improve health and to learn a life-skill that can be used at weddings, holiday parties, on dates and cruises or in the comfort of your home. Social dancing helps couples and singles to connect and add excitement to their lives.

Private dance lessons, group dance classes and first dance lessons for brides and grooms are offered at Dance FX Studios as well as Zumba fitness classes for adults. Dance FX Studios also holds dancing events with live music, special performances, dinner, a beginner dance class and a raffle for charity several times a year.
Dance FX Studios is located at 1859 West Guadalupe Rd. in Mesa AZ just off the 101 highway on the border of Tempe and Chandler.

Did You Know??? Fun Facts About Swing Dancing

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Jitterbug Swing dancing for couples and singlesFun Facts About Jitterbug

The Jitterbug is a fun, playful, fast-paced swing style dance that everyone can fall in love with! But there’s more to it than meets the eye. Did you ever wonder where the name came from? Or why it’s one of the more upbeat social dances? The Jitterbug is full of fascinating history and facts:
* Jitterbug is a broad term that can cover a multitude of dances, including the Lindy Hop, Jive, West Coast Swing or East Coast Swing.
* The jitterbug is a partner dance that is usually performed to big band or jazz music. It consists of a variety of steps, kicks, jumps and turns that are based on set basic movements. It is more lively than salsa, country two step, or other popular social dances.
* The Jitterbug name came from witnesses of the dance style describing the dancer’s movement. The upbeat, bouncy movements from the swing dance appeared to be slightly frantic. The original word came from a description of alcoholics who suffered from the “jitters” or the shakes.
“Jittersauce” was once used as a slang word for alcohol.
* During World War 2, Europeans were warned not to involve themselves in Swing dancing because it was a “rude” American dance. However, in preparation for D-Day, thousands of people came out to learn the dance, which assisted in boosting Jitterbug dance popularity.
* The word Jitterbug was coined by trombonist and drummer Harry Alexander White for first using it in the 1900’s. However, Cab Calloway is often incorrectly given credit for the term because of his 1934 song titled “The Jitterbug”. The song is what made the swing style a household name.
* In the 1950’s, Jitterbug overtook the Lindy Hop as the more popular or “in” dance form. The Jitterbug is said to be a slightly less aerobatic version of its predecessor.

The Beauty of Bolero

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East Valley ballroom dance studiosMany have people have heard rumba be described as “the dance of love”. Often, the bolero, another Latin dance, is left out of the limelight even though it is just as much a dance for the romantics. It combines some of the best parts of other popular Latin dance styles, while adding in its own unique flair and mystery.

Within American style ballroom dance competitions, there are five Latin dances; cha cha, east coast swing, mambo, rumba and bolero. The bolero dance style is actually the slowest rhythm dance out of the five, and is known for its slow, graceful and amorous movements.
If you are familiar with the basic of nightclub two-step; the bolero basic is very similar and combines elements of its romantic partner—rumba. The dance has a basic timing that mirrors rumba (slow, quick, quick) but is characterized by long side steps and then quick rock steps, such as in nightclub two-step. Also in line with rumba, bolero uses similar foot patterns, such as cross body leads and underarm turns. The beauty of bolero dancing is accompanied often with bongos, castanets or a guitar and can actually be performed solo or as a couples dance.

How bolero is different is really in the stretching of the body. During the slow step there is an extension and lift of the body which creates the graceful, sweeping motions that bolero is known for. This tempo is accompanied with rising and falling motions of the body that give it a completely different feeling than faster styles, such as salsa or other Latin dances. Watching bolero dancers is a beautiful experience, and one that will leave a you with a desire to learn it yourself.
For information on private bolero dance classes or other Latin dancing styles offered in Mesa, Arizona, Dance FX Studios is the place to go! In addition to the romantic bolero, you will learn more popular styles of dance including Merengue, Cha Cha and Salsa.

Dancing, Music and Stereotypes

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Salsa dancing music Mesa azOur stereotypes about the world around us can often hinder the potential experiences throughout our life. Music and dance styles can generate a lot of stereotypes. When you think of country dance or music, you often already have a preconceived idea of what the people, atmosphere, and music will be about. Some stereotypes can be positive—others negative. Hip-hop is a dance style that often gets a bad rep. Every reader can undoubtedly think of some opinions carried with hip-hop music and dance/dancers.
Now, think of another dance style, say Argentine Tango. Tango is seen as a classy and respected dance style. It was once seen with the same distain as other forms of art; today the paradigm surrounding Tango has been altered. Hip-hop can be described with the same emotion and respect. Jazz is a music style that was heavily banned throughout the 1920’s and, yet again, the public opinion turned around. Or try Rock and Roll or Bachata!
Every new art form has its own evolution and road to acceptance. Our willingness to avoid generating stereotypes will help to broaden our own horizons. So even if you don’t wear cowboy hats, or you don’t know what it means to “drop it and lock it on the dance floor”, you might have the time of your life if you go out and throw yourself into the experience.
In the end, regardless of the genre, music enriches our lives in a way nothing else can. Allow the music to introduce you to a dance style that can do the same.

Stretching Benefits and Exercises Before Ballroom Dancing

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ballroom dancing lessons mesa When you watch a professional ballroom dancer, you may notice how flexible they are. It can also remind you of the flexibility you lack! But never fret; often this flexibility comes with practice. Even with practice though, flexible dancers still stretch to warm up for ballroom dancing sessions.
Common dance-related injuries such as sprains and strains happen when muscles and ligaments are overstretched or twisted.Even if you feel that you aren’t doing any strenuous movements, you can cause an injury to yourself from tight muscles. Once you begin to perform a consistent warm up routine prior to class, it will become natural—and you’ll avoid injuries. Here are a few foot stretches to try while you’re waiting for dance class to begin:
1. Sit up straight with your back firmly against the back of a chair. Slowly turn your left foot inward. Hold this position for six seconds. Then turn foot very slowly outward and hold for another six seconds. Repeat this exercise six times. Repeat entire exercise with right foot.
2. Sit up straight with your back firmly against the back of the chair. Slowly move your left foot in a circle moving clockwise. Repeat this movement six times. Then slowly move the same foot in a circle counter-clockwise. Repeat this movement six times. Repeat the entire exercise with the right foot.
If you do triple time Swing, you might feel the muscles in your hips are fatigued. These are your hip flexors and/or abductors. Often ladies, with those wonderful heels on, you’ll especially begin to feel your hips tire as you learn to dance.  Try this exercise for a warm up:
1. Use a wall or a chair to help keep your balance for this exercise if needed. Lift a straight leg forward in front of your body, as high as you can while keeping your back straight. Hold for a count of 2 and release. Then, do the same to the side of your body. Repeat this exercise six times. Repeat entire exercise both feet.
Of course, if you have certain problem areas, such as back pain, find stretches that apply to your needs. And while wrist or knee braces may not go with your outfit on a dance night, don’t be afraid to wear them during dance practice sessions to protect any weak muscles or tender areas. For optimal effect, also stretch directly after dance class. This way you can enjoy your dancing without being uncomfortable later!

Expand Your Horizons and Learn to Dance!

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Social dancing is a great way to meet people. Learning how to meet people is, debatably, one of the most important skills you will ever learn. Embrace your ability to move on the dance floor and utilize it to your advantage!

Whether your forte is salsa, tango, or swing, you can build your confidence and courage by going out to practice at a local dancing venue. On nearly any website that introduces singles to other like-minded singles you’ll find a list of activities which assist in getting you out into society, and within this list—you guessed it— there’s a recommendation of dancing!

Believe it or not, getting your foot in the door is half the battle. If you see another aimless wanderer, chances are they are waiting to be asked to dance! Women will give eye contact if they are interested in being asked to dance (ladies, this means you need to give eye contact to give the guy a hint! If you’re bold, or if he is clueless, ask him to dance yourself!) Not only will you be able to find the courage to ask for a dance, but often in social dancing, you will switch partners throughout the dance style as well.

Keep in mind that there is a classification of dancers: “beginner” versus “experienced”. This, of course, has a large grey area but as a “newbie” you have the opportunity to practice with other new dancers as well. The great thing about dancing with beginners is that they pretty much want to dance all the time. They are just as eager to get practice under their belt as you are. This way you can both feel a sense of accomplishment together. So head out to the nearest dance floor and groove it!