Posts

Swing dancing in Arizona

A Social Dance Studio in the Phoenix Valley – Made for Dancing!

Swing dancing in ArizonaOver fourteen years ago the co-founders of Dance FX Studios here in the Phoenix East Valley, Adam and Nicole Dekavallas, knew there was something missing from the other dance studios around town. At that time, competitive ballroom dance studios seemed to be the only place to learn to dance. Adam and Nicole felt that what most people really wanted was to become great social dancers. The couples and singles that they were teaching wanted to learn popular social dances like the Country Two Step, Salsa and Argentine Tango-all dances that most traditional ballroom dance studios did not offer. When it came down to it, the everyday person simply wanted to learn to dance for social events like: weddings, date nights, holiday parties and cruises.

With this in mind, Adam and Nicole’s vision for their dance studio was developed around building confidence on the dance floor for Arizona couples and singles. Having a traditional ballroom dance studio background themselves, the Dekavallas’ knew they would have to modify their entire way of teaching to make this concept a reality.  After two years, they created an unparalleled system of instruction that would make anyone a great social dancer, and Dance FX Studios was born!

With teaching methods that made learning to social dance easy, Phoenix residents finally had a place to learn to dance all of the most useful Country Western styles, Latin dances and Swing dances that were used around town. Dance FX Studios was, and continues to be, the first of its kind … the only Arizona dance studio that provides instruction for in all of the social partner dances. No matter what style of dancing is being taught, social dance styles like Country Swing, Bachata or the sensual and authentic Argentine Tango, the Dance FX Studios’ instructors deliver the goal of creating great social dancers.

Dance FX Studios specializes in private dance lessons for those who want to become social dancers. This means helping you to prepare for any dance situation. We will show you how to dance with wonderful form and be able to easily navigate any crowded dance floor with great dancing style, all while feeling comfortable and making it look effortless!

One last thing… Adam and Nicole wanted to create a fun and relaxed environment in which to learn to dance. Dance FX Studios is warm and inviting. Everyone here, from our dance instructors to our wedding dance specialists, office staff and Adam and Nicole strive to make our students feel welcome. The idea is for a student to be as comfortable here as they are at home.

For almost 15 years Dance FX Studios has set the bar for quality social dance instruction in the Phoenix Valley. By keeping the motto “Real dancing for real people” in mind, Dance FX Studios has helped thousands of Arizona residents to learn to dance with ease.  It is not surprising that Dance FX Studios students visit from surrounding areas from Flagstaff to Yuma, and Canada to Michigan.

Over the years our concept has been attempted to be replicated by other studios – which we take as a compliment. Our commitment to you is that we will continue to evolve and grow our unique and original product to stay ahead of the pack. It is our mission to positively affect the life of each and every person that comes through our doors. Hence the name “Dance FX” and our first, albeit cheesy, tagline: “Dance FX Studios … because dance FX YOU!”

Dance FX Studios is located in Mesa, Arizona near the border of Tempe and Chandler. We provide private, group and wedding dance instruction in social Ballroom, Salsa, Swing, Tango and Country dancing to Phoenix singles and couples in the East Valley and beyond. For adult dance lessons near Tempe, Chandler, Scottsdale and Gilbert, Dance FX Studios is the place for you.

Cyber Monday Special Offers

Cyber Monday Group Dance Class Offers

 

The holiday deals just keep on coming for newcomers to Dance FX Studios! This Cyber Monday, November 26th 2012, go to the East valley section of Phoenix on Living Social and get our 4-week group dance classes for just $35 per couple or $25 per single! That’s a steal for 4 weeks of FUN!

Here’s what our 4 week dance classes for adults include:

* One class a week for 4 consecutive weeks in the dance style of your choice. Classes begin again every 4 weeks so you can plan ahead. Group dance classes include Country swing and two step, Argentine tango, Latin salsa and bachata, swing dancing and hip hop for adults.

* Material that builds from week to week so that you can walk into the Dance FX Studios and leave dancing! Learn fun variations in the style of your choice and be prepared for those upcoming holiday dance parties, nights out at the clubs or that unforeseen wedding where you know you will be asked to dance.

* Classes are for adults only so take the time to meet new friends and learn a great new hobby at the same time! Couples and singles will be in the same class however couples do not need to rotate partners if they choose to stay together. 

Group dance classes at Dance FX Studios are an affordable way to learn to dance! Learn a variety of styles for more than 50% off with the Living Social promotion running through Thursday of this week. If you’re looking for the perfect stocking stuffer this holiday season, dance lessons are sure to put a smile on any loved one’s face.

Take this opportunity to re-connect with your special someone or give the gift of dance this holiday season with dance lessons at Dance FX Studios. Dance FX Studios is located in Mesa, Arizona near Tempe and Chandler, AZ. We are less than 10 minutes from Scottsdale and Phoenix and less than 30 minutes from Gold Canyon and Queen Creek.

For more information on group dance classes at Dance FX Studios in Mesa, AZ, visit our website. Dance FX Studios has been in the Phoenix metro area for over a decade. We specialize in social dancing for adults who are looking to gain confidence, add romance and become comfortable dancers for any occasion. Keep an eye out for upcoming holiday offers for you and yours this holiday season and enjoy dancing in the year to come.

 

Where Country Two Step Got It’s Name

Country Two Step Dancing Tempe AZCountry Western two step is known as a traditional and very American-rooted, cowboy style dance. With fun turns and combinations danced to the likes of Conway Twitty and Kenny Rogers, Country Two step is as old as American pie.
Traveling along the dance floor, or along the Line of Dance (LOD), always requires counter-clockwise traveling. The confident reason as to why this occurs counter-clockwise as opposed to clockwise is unknown. One theory is that the travel moves to the left because the right side was the power position. From the queen to the ranking of military members, the person on the right is viewed as the most respected. It is also believed that if the line of dance was clockwise, the larger male bodies would block the audience’s view of the female dancers.
This type of partner dancing involves a basic step which occupies 6 beat of music; 2 ‘quick’ steps and 2 ‘slow’ steps. This is the typical timing for most social dancing.
So why does “two-step” dancing earn the most literal name? The waltz, in fact, appears to be the original dance style to carry the moniker.  The “valse a deux temps”, or two beat waltz, was an early 1800’s dance style rejection because many felt that it was too jerky to be enjoyable.  Not until 47 years later did Henri Cellarius lament over the terminology, stating that the term “deux temps” would be better accepted if it were called “deux pas” (two step). The dance style as we know today then actually transitioned into a dance similar to the foxtrot around the 1920’s. From this creation we now have adapted our current version of the two step!