country swing classes mesa az Archives - Dance Lessons in Mesa Arizona

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Country Dance All Summer Long!

Does Country music invoke happy thoughts? Do you find yourself tapping your feet, smiling, and maybe even singing along to your favorite tunes (even if it’s in the shower)? Build upon those feelings by learning to Country dance! Dance FX Studios in Mesa, Arizona has been teaching social dance lessons to singles and couples in the Phoenix valley for 15 years. Many students come in specifically for Country dances! There are three popular styles of dances done to Country music here in Arizona that you MUST know 🙂 : Country Two-Step, Country Swing, and Country Waltz.

Country Two-Step is one of the most common dances in the bars. It is a fun and easy dance with twirls, twists, and turns! There are two varieties of Country Two Step dancing: Progressive or Rhythm. The only difference between the two is that one travels (Progressive) and the other is mostly stationary (Rhythm). Both are great to know in preparation for going out dancing, however, in Arizona, Rhythm Two-Step is done almost exclusively out in the bars because it is effective for crowded dance floors.

Country Swing was recently recognized as one of the many Swing dance variations! It does have certain guidelines, which includes cool turns, spins, and combinations, that help keep you on time with the music while having fun on the floor. It is also adaptable to music other than Country which makes it great to use at either a wedding or a bar! This dance is higher energy, fun, bouncy and often results in many smiles!

Country Waltz is a progressive dance that has a more relaxed look to it than other Waltz styles. In the Country Waltz, the frame, hand and arm gestures are not exaggerated. This is a great dance to have in your back pocket for slow Country songs. Remember to keep that romance alive!

Cowboy boots are always welcome, but not necessary. In the end, we want YOU to have a great time! Dancing can be a relaxing, fun, new hobby for you to partake in whether you are dancing with a partner or just solo. This is a skill you’ll have for the rest of your life!

If you are interested in learning how to Country Dance in Arizona, give us a call at (480) 968-6177 to try our Introductory Offer for Country Dance Lessons. We are available Monday through Friday from 12 – 8 PM and on Saturdays from 11 AM – 4 PM. Soon YOU will have all the tools to keep you on the dance floor all night long!

Couple’s Country Dance Classes and More!

January 20, 2015/in Dance Lessons Mesa AZ /by Sierra

Are you ready for a new and exciting hobby in 2015? Then come join in the fun with us at Dance FX Studios in Mesa, Arizona! As one of Arizona’s leading dance studios for the past decade, we are going to assist you in becoming a confident social dancer this year. In our new Group Dance Classes for couples, you will learn cool and popular social dances including the Country Two Step, Salsa and Country Swing.

Your wallflower days are coming to an end as you take your first steps onto the dance floor. The only question to ask yourself before you begin is “Which dance should I learn first?”. That’s a tough one. If you see yourself in the favored Country bars these days with friends or even a date, then we suggest that you kick off your dancing journey with the trendy Country Two Step. The Country Two Step is medium tempo, not too fast and not too slow, so it’s perfect for beginners who are getting their dancing feet wet! What’s also wonderful about the Country Two Step is that there are several styling variations of it, so you will never get bored, or bore your partner with the basics. The Country Two Step also has lots of impressive moves that will surely sweep any Cowgirl off of her feet. The Country Two Step class for beginners is every Monday at 7 pm, starting on the first week of each month and lasting for 4 weeks total.

Then there’s the Salsa. What an awesome dance to explore! Salsa dancing is always useful as there is an abundance of Latin influence here in the southwest. What’s amazing and intriguing about Latin dancing in general is the passion and freedom that comes from exploring sensual dances like the Salsa, Bachata and Merengue. Salsa dancing includes lots of sass and playfulness with all of that hip shaking. Be prepared to have fun learning lots of turns and cool dance moves in our Salsa Group Dance Classes. Dance FX Studios’ 4-Week Salsa dance class for beginners is held each Tuesday at 7 pm, re-opening on the first week of each month for new couples.

Finally, if you love Country music, you have got to learn to Country Swing dance! The Country Swing is fast, furious and tons of fun! In this most popular dance, you will learn various turns and spins that will make you one to watch on the dance floor. Country Swing is useful and lively and is one dance that you don’t want to pass up this year. Remember Country music lovers, Country Thunder is coming up in the next few months, so now is the time to throw on those boots and learn to dance. Our Country Swing dance classes for beginners are held on Wednesdays at 7 pm, beginning anew at the first of each month.

If you’re ready to get this dancing party started, get signed up for the 4-week class of your choice today. February’s classes are just two short weeks away and you want to reserve your spot early to be guaranteed to be a part of the fun. The best part of our 4-Week Group Dance Classes is that they are only $75 per couple for the entire month! That’s a steal, especially for quality social dance instruction from pros that have been teaching for years here in Arizona.

Check “learn to dance” off of your bucket list this year and have a blast with a hobby that you can enjoy for many more years to come! We look forward to seeing you in the coming months at Dance FX Studios!

Country Dancing in Mesa, Arizona

May 15, 2014/in Country Western Dancing AZ /by Sierra

Country dancing is a blast, and is very popular here in Arizona. Arizonans and visitors alike enjoy many variations of Country dancing – Country Two Step, Nite Club Two Step, Country Swing, Country Waltz, and more! There are several places across the Phoenix Valley that serve as great settings for going out and kicking up your boots. Three most popular and highly recommended places are Toby Keith’s Bar and Grill, Cactus Moon, and Denim and Diamonds, all for various reasons.

Cactus Moon is right across the walkway from Toby Keith’s in Mesa, Arizona, and is always busy. They have delicious appetizers and a few pool tables, but their large dance floor is the kicker for us. The crowd is always diverse -being so close to Tempe and Arizona State University, and here you have space to move! They even have a specific night dedicated to Country dancing.

Toby Keith’s is also a great place to go, but for different reasons. Popular Country bands frequent the stage there, and typically they get a good turn out for Country Two Step and Country Swing dancing. Their dance floor is a little smaller and more crowded than Cactus Moon’s, making it important to be courteous of others around you. On the other hand, they only play Country music and the atmosphere is always fun and exciting.

Denim and Diamonds in East Mesa, AZ is fun also for locals. They have an amazing Ladies Night Out on Wednesdays with awesome drink specials, and the largest dance floor out of the three. Wednesday is the best day to go because of how many people come to Country dance, making it the perfect hump day hangout!

Country dancing is all the rage here in AZ, and you can enjoy it too! With Country Two Step and Swing dance lessons from us at Dance FX Studios in Mesa, AZ you can become a confident and capable Country dancer. Not only will you learn the steps and form to look great on the dance floor, but we also incorporate useful social dancing tips and tools into our unique, personalized dance lessons. You will learn how to keep you and your partner safe and comfortable on a crowded dance floor, how to connect with your partner while dancing, how to lead and follow, and so much more!

You can get a feel for how great our Instructors and methods of teaching are and see how fun learning to dance can be with our Private Country Dance Lesson Introductory Offer. This offer is just $40 for an entire hour of learning. We will explore why you want to learn to dance, what you want to get out of lessons, and help you to get out on the floor and starting the learning process! For more information or to schedule your first Country dance lesson, visit our website or call us today at 480.968.6177. Happy Country dancing!

All About The Country Two Step

April 13, 2014/in Country dance lessons mesa az /by Sierra

In light of our Country Dance Party that was held last night, let’s take a look at an extremely popular Country dance style, the Country Two Step. You may also know this dance as the AZ Two Step or the Texas Two Step. Some even call its many variations the Rhythm Two Step and the Progressive Two Step. Regardless, in all of its forms and with its many names, the Two Step is a lively, playful dance that many Arizona residents here and Country dancers around the world enjoy.

As most dances do, the Two Step has a history rich of the influences of different cultures and dance types. There are many styles of the Country Two Step that can depend on location and personal preference. The Country Western Two Step originated from the Foxtrot and has elements of the Foxtrot and Swing to it as well. This combination of dances obtained its Country Western influence in the 1940s upon contact with square dancing communities. Some experts believe that this partner dance has roots dating back to the 1800s in Mexican and European history. The Two Step was said to have appeared in Hungary and Germany at this time, while at the same time receiving influence from Mexican fandangos.

There’s no doubt that the Country Two Step will come in handy if you live here in Arizona. Its versatility and playfulness make it perfect for a night of dancing at any Country bar! At Dance FX Studios in Mesa, Arizona, we host dance events with live Country or Swing music to give you a place to both learn and practice the Country Two Step. At our dance events, we provide drinks and desserts as well as the perfect venue for students and local residents to come and dance, mingle and relax from 8pm to 11pm on pre-selected Saturday evenings. Not proficient in the Two Step yet? No worries! Our excellent instructors will be on the dance floor too, giving pointers and grooving right along with you. Tickets are always at a discounted price of $15 if you purchase them in advance. Otherwise, tickets are $20 at the door.

If you are interested in Country dance lessons to build a bit of confidence before getting out on the dance floor, try out our Introductory Offer of $40 for 1 hour-long private introductory lesson. Private Country dance lessons are the fastest way to get out on to the dance floor as everything will be catered around your learning style and availability. Not only can we get you and your partner Two Steppin’ in no time, we also offer dance lessons in Country Swing, Country Waltz, and Nite Club Two Step, which are all fun, popular dances that you can anywhere from a cruise to wedding to a Country bar! Country Two Step and Country Swing group classes for couples are another cool service that we offer if you are more inclined to learn in a group setting. You can inquire on our website or call us at the studio at 480.968.6177 for more information. See you in the studio soon, Country dance Fans!

Couple’s Dance Classes in 2014!

December 9, 2013/in Dance Lessons Mesa AZ /by Sierra

You have been thinking about learning to dance, but are just not sure how to get started or which type of dancing you would like to learn. To be able to dance at any social occasion, your best bet is social ballroom dances like the Salsa, Country Two Step or the Swing. Social dance lessons will get you ready for those upcoming holiday parties, weddings and even nights out around town. The most efficient way to learn to dance is with private dance lessons, so that you can receive one-on-one dance lessons with your instructor. However, if you have a tight schedule or maybe you’re not sure which type of dances you want to learn and would like to try a variety, then you may want to consider taking group dance classes.

If you live in the Phoenix East Valley area, beginning in January 2014, couples group dance classes are returning to Dance FX Studios in Mesa, Arizona after a short hiatus for the holidays! We have been teaching group dance classes for years and this time will be offering a variety of weekly, drop-in classes for beginners. From Country to Salsa to Jitterbug, these 45 minute couples classes will be held Monday – Thursday evenings at 7:00. What’s great about this is that you don’t have to commit to a series of classes. Whatever your schedule allows, just come on in and join in the fun!

Group dance classes are an easy, affordable way to begin to learn some of the basics of whichever dance you choose. As the leading social dance studio for adults in Arizona, you have the chance to learn dance steps that you can use in any social dance situation. We will provide you with the tools needed to dance in the real world. And, since each class is held just once a week, it’s an ideal way to fit dancing into your busy life.

For some, focusing on a specific dance just once a week within a group may be better suited to their goals. However, if you can’t decide which dance to attempt first for only $15 per couple, per class, why not try a variety? Maybe one week, try the Salsa, the following week, give the Country Two Step a shot! Try a couple of different dances each week- whatever works best for you and your partner! Learning several dances will allow you to be able to dance to a variety of music, so you become a more well-rounded dancer. This way, you won’t be limited to just one type of dancing and will be ready for almost anything!

At Dance FX Studios, group dance classes for adults are an excellent way for couples to meet new people and explore new dance styles. Who knows- you may even make friends with other couples and all go out dancing together! It is also a perfect way for you and your partner to spend some time together each week learning a new interest. With both of your schedules being so busy every week, it may be hard to find the time for the two of you to just get away from it all and have a good time. What a perfect opportunity to reconnect with each other! Wouldn’t it be nice to spend some time together doing something that is so beneficial and acquiring skills you will use anywhere?

So, grab a partner and come join other Phoenix couples in Dance FX Studios Group Dance Classes for a fun-filled night of dancing! See you in 2014!

“Giddy Up” For A Night With Two-bit Shotgun

April 2, 2013/in two step classes mesa az /by Sierra

Do you love Country music as much as we do? Come listen to one of Phoenix valley’s top Country Western bands play right here at Dance FX Studios in Mesa, Arizona next Saturday evening, April 13th! That’s right, Two-bit Shotgun are making their third appearance at Dance FX Studios after two successful nights of Country dancing and fun!

How does the night work for those of you who have not been to one of our dance parties with live music? We will kick off next Saturday night, April 13th, 2013 with a beginner two step class so that everyone can learn the basics to one of Country’s most popular dance styles. In the group two step class for beginners, you will learn a turn or two plus, and most importantly, how to navigate around a crowded dance floor with ease. This concept is our main focus at Dance FX Studios as social dancing in Arizona is what we are known for and what we do best! Get some great pointers on how to lead and follow the two step as well as how to hold your dance partner in a proper dance frame. What you won’t learn (for you die hard AZ Country dancers) is flips and tricks on the night of our Country dance party. We at Dance FX Studios want to show you how to be safe Country dancers with exciting moves that will make your partner comfortable and relaxed.

After our two step class for beginners, you will enjoy amazing music by Two-bit Shotgun! Two-bit Shotgun plays around the Phoenix valley as well as out of state on the southwest. They play a lot of crossover Country rock as well as a few oldies for those that enjoy traditional Country music. We have found them to be the perfect choice for our Country dances as they play tons of Country swing, Country two step, nite club two step, Country waltz and West Coast swings. Two-bit Shotgun are a great fusion of old and new and they seem to appeal to all ages.

Dance FX Studios’ Country dance party is from 8- 11 pm. We will be offering light snacks (chips, veggies etc.) and desserts for you to enjoy in between dances. Cover charge for this event is $15 per person for advanced tickets and $20 at the door per person. Tickets can be purchased by phone, on our website or in person for your convenience. As always, our live music events are open to the public. Bring your friends and meet new ones as you listen to great music and dance!

By the way, Dance FX Studios instructors will be present at this event. If you have questions on how to do a certain step, feel free to ask, that’s what we are here for! 🙂

If you are looking to squeeze in a few private Country dance lessons in prior to next Saturday night’s dance, it’s not too late! Private dance lessons with us, the only strictly social dance studio in Phoenix, are scheduled by appointment Monday through Friday from noon to 8 pm and on Saturdays from 11 am to 4 pm.

Dance FX Studios is on the south east corner of Dobson and Guadalupe in Mesa, Arizona. We are minutes from Gilbert, Chandler, downtown Phoenix, Scottsdale and Tempe, Arizona. Come meet the staff of Dance FX Studios and see how much fun it is to Country dance on Saturday, April 13th!

Country Dance Party This Saturday

February 7, 2013/in Country Two Step Arizona /by Sierra

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.