Class Descriptions
 
 
 

If you’re just starting out we recommend taking a Secrets of Partner Dancing workshop if it’s offered, or any beginning level class (one with no prerequisites).  Take classes within a level in any order.

Classes with prerequisites require competence with the material presented in the previous level classes.

Repeating classes is highly recommended.  There is no race to the finish in dancing and you’ll be amazed at what you learn the second and third time through a class!  (The best dancers go back to the basics again and again, and they learn something new each time.)




Blues  Blues is the hottest new (and old) dance craze right now.  It’s easy, it’s versatile and so much fun.



Beginning Level:


Traveling Blues -- Another great place to start, in this class we’ll take the hottest craze in the history of dance “on the road,” and travel it around the floor.  Easy footwork and amazing versatility make Blues way creative and fun.  With Blues you can do anything -- from bouncy and upbeat to steamy and sexy -- everything in between -- and we’ll explore it all (within your comfort level, of course).         No Prerequisite


Your Own Basic Blues -- We’ll start at the very beginning -- with you and the music -- helping you find the Blues in your body and in your characteristic movement style.  Then we’ll help you connect with a partner and discover how what you already know is real dancing.  From there we’ll begin to give you more toys to play with -- easy turns, fun movement and styling variations, playing with rhythms, you know -- the fancier stuff -- and we’ll show you how to create your own easy variations and improvisations from moves you know.   This class will offer new material in every session.          No Prerequisite 


Intermediate Level:

Dancing Between the Tables Blues for Small Spaces -- Less is more when you don’t have much room to dance.  Together we’ll play around with different music and teach you some great small-space moves, show you how to adapt moves you already know and how to create new moves and variations for tiny dance floors (like your kitchen... or the neighborhood pub...)  This class will cover new material each time you take it.  Prerequisite: Any Beginning Level Blues, twice


Rip-Off Blues Is it a crime to steal from yourself? -- Some of the most fun in Blues is stealing moves from other dances you know and adapting them to Blues rhythms.  That’s what this class is all about.  The class will cover new material each time you take it.  Prerequisite:  Any Beginning Level Blues, twice + another dance form, to be designated




East Coast Swing Daughter of the original swing, Lindy Hop, this dance rocks.


Beginning Level:


Beginning Swing -- Single Time -  This fun and energetic partner dance of the 50’s and early 60’s is playful and versatile.  You’ll gain a strong foundation in faster dance basics, and partnering skills with this simple footwork as you learn plenty of great moves and styling for the dance floor.                   No Prerequisite


Beginning Swing -- Triple Time - Continue the fun and high energy or start here with more complex footwork, styling and rhythm variations.  This dance, done to slightly slower music, can stand on its own or it can become an intro into Lindy Hop.  No Prerequisite


Intermediate Level:


50‘s Double Time -- Teens used to be able to tell which high school you went to when you danced this totally fun and exciting variation of swing.  Besides just dancing it, you’ll find you use this footwork all the time to add style to your other swing dancing.  Pre-requisite: Any Beginning Level Swing, twice


Bandstand -- Triple time swing ala the wildly popular American Bandstand TV show of the late 50’s and early 60’s.  This stylized triple time is “trance-formational” and could become part of your unique dance style.  Prerequisite:  Any Beginning Level Swing, twice


Advanced Level:


Jazz Moves & Styling -- Take your dancing to a new level of "cool" as you learn to play with the music and incorporate easy jazz moves and variations into your dancing.  This fun class will open new vistas of creativity in your dancing!  Prerequisite:  Any other Swing 2 class




Waltz Waltz is so-o-o much more than the box step.  We teach beginning levels of several waltzing styles in these classes, providing strong fundamentals and lots of practice; and then we invite and encourage you to move to our classes at Waltz Etc. for Intermediate and more Advanced Levels of waltz.


Beginning Level:


Intro to Waltz -- Discover the romance of waltzing gracefully around the dance floor with a partner as we introduce you to waltz rhythm and movement, teach you some fun, easy moves, and sample several styles of waltz while learning the fundamentals of this exhilarating dance.  No Prerequisite


Slow Waltz -- Take your waltzing out of the box and move it down the floor in easy, graceful slides, turns, zigs and zags while you gain confidence in waltz basics. 

No Prerequisite


Cross Step -- This is one of the most creative dances on the floor.  Strike out in a new direction as you learn this free and easy way to swoop and turn to slower waltz music.

No Prerequisite


Viennese Waltz -- Lovely at any speed, loved for its zen-like qualities and a favorite of waltzers everywhere, this floating, turning waltz moves effortlessly around the dance floor, no “heavy” partners, no sore arms and shoulders -- once you find the “groove”. Come play with this one and find your own groove.  No Prerequisite


For intermediate and advanced level Waltz classes, come to the Waltz Etc classes on Mondays.




Latin  It’s the music.  It’s infectious.  And makes you move!


Elements of Latin - We’ll introduce you to the music, rhythms, easy moves, partnering and styling of the three most popular Latin club dances, Salsa, Merengue and Cumbia.

No Pre-requisite


Salsa - Passionate, energetic and delightfully flirtatious, high spirited music and complex Latin rhythms make this is one of the most popular dances in the world.  We’ll learn fun new moves and add some flash.  No Prerequisite


Merengue & Cumbia - These two popular club dances, Merengue from the Dominican Republic and Cumbia from Colombia, both with great sound and catchy rhythms, are easy to learn and way fun to dance.  No Prerequisite




Workshops  Special classes of varying lengths to cover specific topics -- to get you started -- to add “juice” to your dancing -- to explore -- for fun.

Secrets of Partner Dancing - This workshop is recommended for all beginning dancers.  Learn the secrets of communicating with a partner, moving like a dancer, finding the rhythm and figuring out what to do, and more.  No matter whether you want to learn swing, waltz, blues, salsa, or any other dance.  This is the best place to start.  No pre-requisite.


Mastering Dancing for Men - This class is for men only, giving you an opportunity to focus on the aspects of social dancing that are not partner related, but make you a better dancer and partner.  Prerequisite may vary


Owning the Dance Floor for Women - This class is for women only, paying attention to  autonomous dance movement for women, the art of dancing the follow role, giving you a sense of your rightful place on the dance floor individually and in a dance partnership.  Prerequisite may vary


Dance Partnering for Men and Women -This class will focus on the give and take of real communication on the dance floor, giving partners a chance to pay attention to both the science and art of social dancing.  Prerequisite may vary


Social Dance Technique & Styling Classes -- Want to get deeper into dancing?  In these special classes you’ll learn to: dance with your whole body --  spin and turn without wobbling or getting dizzy -- play with rhythms, speed and timing -- keep your balance -- feel light on your feet and still grounded -- dance to the music -- really communicate with your partner -- improvise and create new moves -- and much more.  Prerequisite may vary



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No Partner Necessary -- Singles and Couples Welcome