Posts

Three Country Dance Don’ts

/in /by

Country dance classes in ArizonaI love to go Country dancing, especially here in Arizona! There’s a ton of fun restaurant/bars to check out, from San Tan Flat in Queen Creek (my personal fave) to Handlebar J’s in Scottsdale, that are a blast to hang out at with friends and dance the night away.

An awesome night of Country dancing can quickly turn awry, though, when things get out of control. If you’ve ever been kicked in the head (like I have) by a large pair of Cowboy boots, you know exactly what I’m talking about. It seems that, at least at some local places, the crazier the dancing, the cooler you are. This is not what Country dancing is all about people. That said, here are a few of my favorite Country dancing “don’ts”. Just a few tips from me to you so that everyone can have fun on the dance floor.

First, leave the flips and tricks at the gym, local dance studio or wherever you practice them. They are not in any way safe to be performed on a crowded social dance floor. Unless you are putting on a show in a controlled space where you have the floor to yourselves, don’t use these moves out dancing where others are at risk of being injured. When you throw alcohol into the mix, you can imagine how unsafe it is to be near dancers who are being tossed around like rag dolls. Unfortunately many venues want to attract what they consider to be “entertaining” dancers, so they allow this type of dancing to occur and simply “carry lots of insurance” in case someone gets hurt. At least this is what the bar manager told me when I was kicked in the head.

Next, don’t hog up the dance floor with big spins and turns. Believe it or not, you can be an incredible Country Two Step or Country Swing dancer and be controlled. You can look amazing and impressive by taking up just a little bit of space, and not the entire dance floor. Less really is more. So, even if you’re not lifting her above your head, still try shrinking up your movements in general to allow others some space to dance. Otherwise, we get into what I call “bumper dancing”, and that’s just not fun.

Lastly, and this is very minor compared to my other points, but don’t do the same dance to every song. Not all Country music is a Two Step, or a Swing for that matter. There are fast, slow and medium tempo songs…even in Country dancing. So why are there many, many dancers that do the same dance over and over to every song? My best guess is that they have not been educated on what dances to do and when. The great news is that you’re dancing anyway. Kudos to you for getting out there and not sitting on the sidelines wishing you could dance. This problem is easily solved with Country dance lessons. Once you get formal instruction from a local dance studio, you will be able to identify which dance goes with what music, and you will be on your way to becoming a confident (and informed) Country dancer.

Why miss out on the fun of Country dancing when you can be out there having a ball! Avoid these Country dance don’ts by making an investment in your dancing with Two Step or Swing dance lessons. You will get invaluable tips on how to fit in, look great, be on time and shine on any Country dance floor. Wouldn’t that be cool? I say yes!

If you live in Arizona like I do, come visit Dance FX Studios for Country Dance Classes for singles and couples. I would  love see help you to be an amazing Country dancer!

Make Romance a Priority This Year

/in /by

dance lessons for adults near Tempe ArizonaIn the poetic words of the late, great David Bowie (RIP);

Let’s dance,
Put on your red shoes and dance the blues
Let’s dance,
To the song they’re playin’ on the radio
Let’s sway,
While color lights up your face
Let’s sway,
Sway through the crowd to an empty space
Dancing with someone you care for…now that’s a way to connect on a more intimate level. Holding each other tight and “swaying through the crowd”, can you think of anything better?
If your goal in  2016 is to have a year filled with deeper, more meaningful connections, learning how to social dance will provide you with a really cool skill that can take you where you want to be. Whether you have a partner at this point or not, once you know some popular social dances, you can meet new friends (potentially even a love interest) and gain a hobby that will prepare you for tons of fun social opportunities in the future. Sounds like a great idea, right? I agree. 🙂
Now’s the time to seek out a social ballroom dance studio for adults in your area and see about taking some beginners dance lessons for couples or singles. 2016 is a fresh start for many, so why not develop some new talents that will help you to stand out above the rest. With the know-how to social dance well,  you will make an impression on your friends and onlookers alike. So what dances should you explore this year? Here are my top three picks for useful and popular dances that you will use in the year ahead.
1. Country Two Step: Country dancing can actually be quite romantic. Whether your favorite Country music is fast or slow, there are plenty of exciting dances and moves that can help you to ignite some passion with your partner.
The Country Two Step is great fun for those mid-tempo Country songs. It’s also pretty easy to learn, at least in the beginning stages. Once you get to the more complicated dance moves, hold on to your boots, because the possibilities are endless to twist, turn and tangle up in each other’s arms. With the Country Two Step under your belt, you’ll be prepared to go out Country dancing anywhere.
2. Salsa: If you’re thinking of a steamy, sensual, but very playful dance to check out, give Salsa dance lessons a shot. Being a proficient Salsa dancer means looking and feeling confident while on the dance floor. That’s a very attractive quality. Salsa dancing, as with all Latin dances, requires a little attitude and a lot of spunk. Salsa dancing is quite fun with a partner you know, and one that you’d like to get to know better…
3. Swing dancing. Most people wouldn’t generally associate Swing dancing with romance, but it actually is a super-fun way to connect with your sweetie. With all of the cool turns to know, Swing dancing will keep the energy up and the sparks flying! For a good time that’s sure to lead to some great memories, give Swing dance classes a try.
OK, it’s time to see how you want to pursue your 2016 resolution of becoming more connected with others. Social dancing is just one avenue, of course, but it’s one that will bring you more than just a new and fabulous hobby. Through social dancing, you can check off your health goals, and even goals of doing something really neat and unique in the upcoming year. Now’s your time…Make it amazing! Hope to see you on the dance floor!
Country dance lessons AZ

How to Avoid Being a Boring Dance Partner

/in /by

Country dance lessons near Tempe AZDo you think that you’re boring to dance with, or have you ever encountered a boring dance partner out Salsa dancing or Swing dancing? If so, let’s change that! First, you know you can only control yourself on the dance floor, so if you find yourself thinking “Dang, he/she really doesn’t look like they’re enjoying this Two Step with me”, I can offer some tips on how to make sure that never happens again.

  1. Smile and make eye contact. You know the saying, “Fake it ’til you make it?” When you are showing your dance partner a good time with your eyes and body language, he or she is bound to feel more relaxed and enjoy their time with you. If you’re feeling insecure about your level of dance as compared to theirs, I do not recommend apologizing. Just keep smiling and do your best! Social dancing with others will help you to gauge where you’re at with your dancing, and help you to strive to be better, so challenge yourself and pick a good dancer. Then, once you get her/him in your arms, do your best to keep up and enjoy the ride. Remember, if you need help working on your leading or following skills, Private Dance Lessons at your local social dance studio is the best solution. No one is born knowing how to dance, so get the right information to keep you on track. Your nights out dancing will be more fun every time you head out to that Country bar or Latin dance club with dance lessons under your belt.
  2. Vary your dance moves to keep it interesting. As a beginner Country, Latin or Swing dancer, you will be limited on how many moves you have in your repitoire. That’s natural. Again, Private Dance Instruction will help with new moves, advanced leading/following techniques and even how to stay on the beat with the music so that you can advance from week to week. Everyone starts somewhere so be patient with yourself as you grow in your dancing. You’re not boring, you’re new, and that’s OK!
  3. Stay on time with the music. This may seem tricky if you don’t even think you can hear the music, let alone move your body to it, but it is essential for never ending up on the boring side of the meter.  Dancing with the music is magical, and its value should not be underestimated, so please, ask your dance instructor for lessons on how to hear the beat in any song. It will be a valuable piece of information that you and your future dance partners will treasure. Now ladies, if you hear the beat but your partner doesn’t, please don’t attempt to teach him on the dance floor. That will only make him feel inadequate, which I’m sure is not your intention. For the intermediate/advanced social dancer, play with the rhythm in the music to show her an even more fun time. She will love the feeling and it will certainly shake things up in a good way.

Social dancing, while it may seem less challenging that competitive Ballroom dancing, is actually quite comprehensive. Discovering how to maneuver around a crowded dance floor with loud music, drunk people, and a whole slew of other potentially distracting factors takes time. At Dance FX Studios in the Phoenix East Valley, near Chandler and Tempe, AZ, in Mesa, we can give you all of the pointers that you need to be successful on any social dance floor. With two decades of experience under our belts, you are going to be a confident social dancer in no time after a series of Private Dance Lessons with us.