Posts

Country Two Step dancing AZ

My Kinda Party

/in /by

Country Two Step dancing in AZJust like Jason Aldean sings, going out to a Country bar to dance is My Kinda of Party! After a long work week, there is nothing a redneck Romeo, or a tan-legged Juliet, enjoys more than getting cleaned up, putting on some Wrangler jeans, a nice shirt and Cowboy boots, then heading out to one of our local dance clubs here in Phoenix. Nothing says romance more than social partner dancing to great Country music and kickin’ up your heels in the Arizona dirt at a spot where the Jack and Coke’s are flowing freely. There also the hope that the when the music and moonshine stop flowing, that dancing has opened the doors for new friendships… and even romance. 🙂

Did you know that in  2009, Country music was the most listened to rush hour radio genre during the evening commute, and second most popular music in the morning commute in the United States? It’s true! Country music is a genre of American popular music that originated in Southern United States, in Bristol, Tennessee in the 1920s. It takes its roots from the southeastern genre of American folk music and Western music combined. Country music often consists of ballads and dance tunes with generally simple forms and harmonies accompanied by mostly string instruments such as banjos, electric and acoustic guitars, and fiddles as well as harmonicas.

Country dancing was originally intended for general participation, unlike folk dances such as clogging, which are primarily concert dances, and ballroom dances in which dancers dance with their partners independent of others. Bright, rhythmic and simple, Country dances had appeal as a refreshing finale to an evening of stately dances such as the minuet.

These days, Country Western partner dancing is a popular form of social dancing. Key dances include the Country Swing,  Two Step, Waltz, Cowboy or Traveling Cha Cha, Polka, Ten Step (also known as Ten Step Polka), Schottische, and other Western promenade dances, East Coast Swing, West Coast Swing, and Nightclub Two Step. The Two Step and various Western promenade or pattern couples dances are unique to Country Western dancing. Western group dances include Line Dancing and Square Dancing (both modern and traditional).

Country dancing is informal, mostly because of comfortable gear from Cowboy boots to jeans and plaid shirts. Country Western dancing is more likely to feature a flat-footed glide with some heel and toe touches rather than a lot of “toe type” dancing. In addition to a quiet upper body, there is very little hip movement. Pumping of the hands, bouncing, and waddling are not encouraged.

Now that you know a little bit about Country dancing, it’s time to get out there and learn to Country dance yourself! If you’re looking for the fastest way to become a confident Country dancer, start with private dance lessons. Discovering dance at your pace with the assistance of a qualified instructor will make all of the difference in the world.

For Country dance lessons in Arizona, visit us at Dance FX Studios! We are located in the Phoenix East Valley, just off the 101 highway for your convenience. With students that visit us from all over the valley and beyond, we are excited to show you too how to Country dance with ease. Check out our New Student Offer for a sample of how we teach Country dancing for beginners. Once you take that first step into our studio, the fun and excitement of Country dancing will begin!

 

beginner country dance lessons

Romantic Date Night Ideas

/in /by

beginner country dance lessons in ArizonaAre you out on another date night having dinner and going Country or Latin dancing? Are you finding that you and your main squeeze are doing what we here at Dance FX Studios in Mesa, Arizona call the “8th Grade Prom Sway”? Wouldn’t it be cool to actually know how to Two Step or Swing dance? If you find yourself sighing out loud, wishing you both could move around the dance floor with a lot more ease and grace, then its time to give private dance lessons a try!  Or, you can always go for Option B: securing a baby sitter for yet another dinner where the pounds keep piling on.  Couples…don’t give up on your date nights, get out dancing, and have FUN with it, instead!

The majority of people agree dancing is entertaining, exciting and livens up any occasion, but few people realize taking private dance lessons to learn Social Ballroom Dancing, like Salsa dancing or Country dancing, is an excellent option FOR a date night. Dancing has a wide variety of social, emotional and physical benefits. In the case of couples, here are the top three: improved health, increased romance, and learning a hobby that will last a lifetime!

Social Ballroom Dancing is a great way to relieve stress! Why not unwind together after a long week at the office or time spent managing your children’s school and soccer schedules doing something that burns off steam? Country dancing is a blast, and a great way to let go of the weeks stresses.  Or, you can take your lover Tango dancing for a way to re-connect romantically after a busy week. That sounds romantic, right?

Social dancing in general is not just fun and exciting, but it also stimulates your brain by aiding its activity. Amazingly, dancing has been proven to keep your brain healthy, protecting it from Alzheimer’s disease and dementia! Awesome, right? Now how about what dancing does for the rest of your body? Remember the feelings you are having about those extra pounds due to too many “dinner only” date nights? Dancing is great exercise! Try doing an hour of Merengue and Bachata dancing in a Latin club to get your heart rate up. Feel better both mentally and physically by dancing together for the health of it!

Couples dance lessons adds romance to your relationship! Everyone wants more romance in their relationship. Imagine holding your loved one in your arms as you learn to move your bodies to music as one. Head out to a Country bar here in Phoenix for some good ol’ Country Swing dancing and explore the perks of social dancing and connecting with your special someone.

Dancing is the single most romantic way to enhance your relationship as it brings your minds, bodies and spirits together. Imagine a future date night where you take what you have learned in your private Country, Swing or Latin dance lessons out into the real world. What will it be like to feel that social confidence when you hit the dance floor together? Wowing your friends with your cool moves by moving confidently to Salsa, Merengue, Cha Cha , Country Two Step, Country Swing and more-how exciting is that!

Now here comes the very best benefit… Learning a life skill that will be used over and over throughout your lives together! Knowing how to be great social dancers means that any place you go; any wedding, high school reunion, work event or social get-together, means you will be having more fun! Why just “show up” when any event you attend can be so much more? Your friends, family and co-workers will surely remember the couple who wowed everyone on the dance floor. With private dance lessons as a couple, you will be choosing a hobby that you both share together and strengthen your relationship as a dynamic duo! What a wonderful investment in your future that will be utilized no matter where the two of you find yourselves!

If your date nights are boring, fattening and/or lacking romance, give social dancing a try to improve your lives together. Maybe private dance lessons for your future dates learning Latin Styles or Country Styles of dancing is just the thing to spice up your relationship now, and far into your future!

Decide you’d rather be getting healthy, adding romance and becoming the couple of your dreams who turns heads while moving around the dance floor and take advantage of Dance FX Studios New Student Offer. Why not be just like that amazing couple in every way? With all the benefits of dancing, you too can be that couple that lives happily ever after!

salsa dancing in Arizona

The Perfect Valentine’s Gift…Dance!

/in /by

salsa dancing in ArizonaEach year you search and search for that perfect, original gift for your sweetie that he or she will treasure forever, right? You dig deep and come up with creative ventures like couples horseback riding lessons or cooking classes for two, both fun and different ideas! This year, we recommend the gift that keeps on giving for years to come…Couples Dance Lessons!

With dance lessons as a couple, you can learn cool and useful dances like the Country Two Step and Swing, the Salsa, or even the sultry Argentine Tango. All of these popular dances will give you romantic “date nights”  for years to follow, not to mention a fun hobby that will be put into practice at weddings, on vacations and even at your favorite local bar! Social ballroom dancing is a forever present, unlike chocolates and that teddy bear that always seems to collect dust on the set of drawers in the corner of your bedroom.

So now that you know you want to give the gift of dance to your love this February 14, what is the next step? First, you should decide whether or not you want to invest in private dance lessons or group dance classes. The difference is significant, so let me elaborate. With private dance lessons, you should receive personalized instruction that is fitted to the way you learn best. So, if you are a visual learner, your instructor can show you how to do your moves to help make them stick. If you are an auditory learner, we can customize your lesson with specific examples that make sense to you.

Private dance lessons can also be scheduled at various times of the day, where group dance classes are usually at pre-set times that work for the masses. With more flexibility, you can make learning to dance fit into your lifestyle with ease.

Our recommendation is always to begin with private dance lessons so that you can develop healthy habits from one-on-one instruction, rather than overall instruction that may not cater to the way you learn. Private dance lessons are a bit more of an overall financial commitment, but you will get to your goal of becoming a confident social dancer so much sooner. That means that you get to use your dancing and have more fun even earlier! That’s never a bad thing! 🙂

Next, you want to look for a dance studio that meets your needs for what you want to accomplish. Would you like to look like the dancers on “Dancing With The Stars” or do you want to shine on a social dance floor? If social dancing is your thing, make sure to check with your local ballroom studio to see if they offer a social dance program so that you can be comfortable at that next holiday party, not on a competition dance floor.

Finally, find out about an Introductory Offer for beginner dancers. It is key that you find a studio that you are comfortable in, so a newcomer’s offer will give you a chance to see what you like, which will better aid you in your learning process.

Social ballroom dancing is an exciting and romantic hobby that he or she is sure to appreciate. You get to hold each other close and take a journey into developing a skill that is beneficial physically as well. If you happen to live in Phoenix, Arizona and you want to be a confident social dancer, let us show you the time of your life with private and group dance lessons at Dance FX Studios in the Phoenix East Valley. Our New Student Offer is the ideal gift for your loved one this Valentine’s Day. Come by and pick up a gift card or get a gift certificate in our Online Store and set up a lesson soon after the holiday. We look forward to seeing you on the dance floor!

Explore Popular Social Dances With Us!

/in /by

Social ballroom dancing is a handy skill and really cool hobby to have! You can take your dance skills to social settings around the world because dance is a universal language.

Closer to home, here in Arizona, social dancing is very popular as well. At Dance FX Studios, right here in Mesa, AZ, we offer a wide variety of dances, from the sultry Argentine Tango to playful Jitterbug. We also specialize in teaching the skills and steps you will need to go out social dancing and enjoy yourself and your partner, wherever you may be! Our Introductory Offer is a great way to get a taste of just how much you can learn with us, for only $40. You will discuss where you see yourself dancing and you will get out on the floor and start learning some basic steps and dance skills-including how to lead and follow. You can learn any of the dances we offer, but learning a dance that is part of local culture and that many people in the area dance is more to your benefit. If you are wondering which dances are the most useful here in Arizona, we have selected three that are popular in our state.

1.       Salsa Dancing: As a Southwestern state, Arizona has a lot of Latin influence present in its culture. While the architecture, population and food are all visibly (and tastily!) influenced, the social scene is influenced as well. Latin dance clubs are popular, and the most prevalent dance at these clubs is typically Salsa. For the full Latin affect and to be able to dance the night away at any club, be sure to learn Bachata, Merengue and Cha Cha as well! Latin dance lessons are wonderful for couples wanting to spice things up, but they are great for singles as well! Latin dances are an excellent way to come out of your shell and explore other parts of your personality. You can embrace you inner flirt and learn to love your sensual side! We can help you shimmy your way to the Latin club floors, boosting your confidence and social calendar in the process!

2. Swing Dancing: Swing dancing is another must-have dance if you live near Phoenix, Arizona. One great thing about Swing dancing is its versatility. When you learn to Swing dance, you will be able to dance to any fast-paced music from Country to Rock and Roll to Big Band. Consistent Swing lessons will give you the skills you need to be able to step on any dance floor with fun and impressive turns, keeping you on the floor all night long! Any single or couple is sure to enjoy Swing dancing. It is especially great because it is playful versatile! You will notice a boost in your mood and energy when you take lessons with us.

3. Country Two Step Dancing: Arizona is definitely known as cowboy state. Country Two Step dancing is vital if you want to enjoy the local Country dance scene. Country dance venues are prevalent all over the Phoenix East Valley. The Country dance scene is thriving, so don’t postpone this fun any longer and start your lessons today! Whether you want to wrangle the Cowboy or Cowgirl of your dreams or you and your partner want to learn to boogie the night away, our excellent instructors, unique way of teaching and impressive music selection are sure to get you dancing in no time.

If you haven’t learned to Salsa, Swing or Two Step in AZ yet, it’s never too late. For dance lessons as a couple or a single in any of these popular dances and more, Dance FX Studios is the place for you! We offer both couple’s group dance classes in each of the styles above and private dance lessons in many styles. For the last 12 years, we have created thousands of amazing social dancers- you can be next! 

Learn Social Ballroom Dancing in Arizona 2014

/in /by

Interested in learning to ballroom dance for your upcoming social events? Swing, Latin and even Country Western dancing is a wonderful activity that benefits people of all ages. Whether you have always wanted to learn to Tango with that special someone or just have fun with a variety of partners at a club, there are numerous benefits to integrating social ballroom dancing into your life. If you live in Phoenix, Arizona come explore some of the cool aspects of knowing how to dance with us at Dance FX Studios!

Did you know that social dancing isn’t just about learning the steps and listening to the music? It is truly a perfect combination of physical activity, social interaction, emotional well-being and mental stimulation.

Let’s start with the fact that dancing is a great fitness activity. Swing or Salsa dancing is an excellent cardiovascular exercise that uses countless major muscular groups, even those that do not often get used enough. With turns, quick steps, arm movements, and spins, ballroom dancing makes for a great workout that is a lot more fun than running on a treadmill! And, as you continue to dance on a regular basis, it also helps you to lose weight and stay fit. Dancing is an enjoyable activity, so you won’t be looking at the clock to see how much longer until you can bolt out the door.

Talk about relieving stress! Ballroom dancing is similar to meditation when you just relax and let yourself go, so there is no time to think about your troubles. As you enjoy dancing, your body releases endorphins, which produce positive feelings similar to a runner’s “high”. Just one vigorous dance session can eliminate stress more than a challenging exercise routine or even listening to upbeat music. Some consider it a holistic healing method since it focuses on the connection between the mind, body and spirit.

Another great benefit of social dancing is flexibility. This is an important part of being healthy. Ballroom and Latin dances like the Foxtrot or Cha Cha and require a good amount of flexibility. When dancing, you use a full range of motion for your major muscle groups. The greater the span of motion, the more your muscles will flex and extend. Most forms of dance require you to perform moves that involve bending and stretching, so dancers naturally become more flexible by simply dancing.

Now here is an advantage of social ballroom dancing that you may not have thought about- gaining confidence. When you learn how to dance, your whole outlook takes on a renewed sense of energy, motivation, and creativity. This confidence will begin to blossom after your first lesson, just by overcoming your fears and doubts by taking action to improve yourself. As you progress, so will your level of confidence in what you can do! This new self-confidence in your dancing ability will transfer to other aspects of your life as well, which may help to explain why dancers tend to possess self-confidence and an ability to enjoy themselves more in social situations.

And speaking of social situations, dancing is a wonderful way to socialize! Meet new friends and potential dance partners with confidence once you have skills on the dance floor. There’s nothing more attractive than a new friend with a cool hobby like knowing how to Salsa dance or do the Argentine Tango.

Improve your life in so many ways by learning to social dance. Before long, you will have the physique you have always wanted with the self-assurance to match. Private dance lessons in Country, Latin or Swing dancing are a great gift to yourself or those you love. It’s a new year and time to have some fun, so give us a call at Dance FX Studios in Arizona to begin your exciting transformation today.

Country Dance Party This Saturday

/in /by

It’s the moment we have all been waiting for…Dance FX Studios Valentine’s weekend dance party with live music! This Saturday night Country band Two-bit Shotgun re-visits Dance FX Studios in Mesa, Arizona. Enjoy an evening of Country Two-Step, Swing dancing and FUN with live Country music. Here are the details on a night you won’t want to miss:

1. Let’s Get This Party Started…: Guests may arrive at Dance FX Studios at 8 pm. Upon their arrival, each person will receive a raffle ticket. One lucky winner will get an exciting prize valued at $100! As the Country band Two-bit Shotgun kicks off the evening with modern Country music mixed with Country classics, dancers can hit the floor and Two Step, Swing or Waltz the night away.

2. Learn to Country Two-Step: Don’t dance? No worries! Early in the evening, we will teach you how to Country dance. Beginners, learn the basics to the Two-Step so you too can get out on the dance floor. Country dancing is easy and exciting and you can do it! We will show you how to get in on the action so you too can reap the endless benefits of knowing how to dance!

3. Enjoy Yummy Treats: Bring your Valentine to this dance party for delicious sweet treats. We will be serving chocolates and other fun desserts in honor of sweethearts day! Save a little room after dinner to enjoy what we will be serving. Refreshments are also included.

Valentine’s Day dance package discounts will also be available on the evening of the party only for newcomers and current Dance FX dancers. Get great dance deals for yourself and your loved one this Saturday night. Dance deals will include private dance lessons, group dance classes and dance nights out on the town for the holiday weekend.

Invite your friends to join you in the fun this Saturday night. Our Country dance party with live music is open to the public. Get your tickets in advance, though, as they are $20 at the door (versus $15 pre-paid).

Dance FX Studios has been a local staple in the Phoenix dance community for over a decade. For quality social dance instruction and great dance events, join us at Dance FX Studios! We are located on the South East corner of Dobson Rd. and Guadalupe Rd. on the border of Tempe and Chandler in Mesa, AZ. We are conveniently just a 1/2 mile from the 101 highway for easy access to us from Phoenix, Scottsdale, Queen Creek or Gold Canyon.