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Honoring Breast Cancer Awareness Month
October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and we at Fred Astaire Dance Studios are proud to support this campaign against a terrible disease that takes more than 50,000 lives each year. Those who have touched by this disease as a survivor, a friend, a loved one, or a caregiver, healthcare provider, etc.– find that...
Why Men Should Take Dance Lessons
Gentlemen, it’s time to get out on that dance floor and move! The benefits are innumerable and the downside is non-existent. For one, dancing is a great way to meet others, especially at your local Fred Astaire Dance Studio. It’s a low-pressure atmosphere and you’ll be among folks with a common goal – learning to...
Why Dancing Is Great for Self Confidence
If you’ve ever seen a dance competition, or even an episode of the wildly popular dance shows such as “Dancing With The Stars”, “So You Think You Can Dance?”, or “Americans Got Talent”, you probably couldn’t help but notice the confidence and ‘swag’ that these dancers carry on and off the dance floor. As viewers,...
4 Reasons Why Dance Lessons Make The Perfect First Date
Anyone who has ever been single knows how nerve-wracking first dates can be! Sometimes it feels like a job interview, other times there is an awkward silence throughout. Plus, in this digital world, a lot of the small talk takes place before we even meet our potential date in person. Our suggestion? Turn it up...
3 Reasons Ballroom Dancing Is The Perfect Activity For Singles
Meeting new people can be challenging for someone living the single life. It’s no secret that, in order to meet new people, you have to put yourself out there, but it can be a bit intimidating to try new activities alone. So, when it comes to trying your hand at dance lessons, what’s a single...
4 Social Events Where You’ll Be Glad You Know How To Dance
It’s no secret that dancing is one of the best ways to bring a group of people together. In fact, it’s almost like a universal language! Not only is dancing fun but it an easy way for people of all backgrounds to socialize and celebrate life. Dance plays a role in many social events, whether...
Make Dancing Part of Your Summer Plans!
As summer approaches, life feels less hectic as the pace slows a little bit, and that could mean a little more precious time for you. What will you do with it? Let us remind you that summer is the perfect time to learn something new! Here are three simple reasons why you should be dancing...
How Long Will It Take For Me To Become a Good Dancer?
Being a “good dancer” means different things to different people. To some people, it means being able to dance socially and join the fun at any event where there are people dancing. To other people, it means learning to dance competitively. At Fred Astaire Dance Studio, we make learning how to dance (socially and competitively)...
Weight Loss Through Dance and Diet
We all know people who work out furiously at the gym without losing much, if any, weight. Some of them rationalize it – if I exercise, I can eat what I want. That’s what they say, even as the weight creeps on a bit at a time and rarely leaves for long. You cannot consume...
Strengthen Your Dance Skills & Become a Better Dancer With These Tips
Dance opens so many pathways to a better, richer life. Dance is beneficial for a person’s health on every level, providing physical activity, an outlet for creativity and the opportunity for more meaningful social interactions. All of these lead to a richer, fuller existence and open the door for personal improvements in each area. Ballroom...
5 Tips For Making Dancing Healthy and Fun!
Dancing can be easy and relaxing or it can be vigorous and exciting. Some people prefer one style over another and some folks like a good mix of different dance types. Your Fred Astaire Dance Studio of Buffalo wants to make sure you take good care of your body as you learn to dance and...
5 Reasons Ballroom Dancing is the Most Romantic Activity for Couples
Valentines Day is right around the corner, which begs the question “what is the most romantic thing couples can do together (besides the obvious)?” Well we have known the answer to that question for a long time; Ballroom Dancing of course! It will bring you closer. Ballroom dancing requires two people to perform, and you’re...
4 Goals Ballroom Dancers Can Get Behind In The New Year
As soon as the ball drops on New Years Eve many of us feel a burst of excitement and inspiration about the year ahead and the goals we’ve put it in place! If you’re a current student, or someone interested in learning how to dance, than consider setting some goals related to dance. Ballroom dancing...
Combat the Stress of the Holidays Through Dance!
There’s shopping to be done. And baking. And cleaning. And decorating. And runs to the airport. The job. The kids. The guests from out of town. Whew. Exhausting, isn’t it? And stressful. You can feel it as you grab the steering wheel of your car in a death grip. As the lines in stores grow...
The Benefits of Unleashing Your Competitive Side
We love many things about dance. The beauty. The elegance. The teamwork with a trusted partner. The competition. Wait. What? Yes, the competition. As our dancers progress through the Fred Astaire Trophy System, they often wish to test their skills and dedication against others. Whether it’s a studio Mini-Match or a regional event or the...
It’s No Coincidence That Football Players Have Such Success on DWTS
We all love watching “Dancing With the Stars” to see how the celebrities progress and grow as dancers. Especially the athletes. Ever notice how many of those on the show have been football players? Let us just name the ones who are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame: Emmitt Smith (Season 3 champion), Jerry Rice,...
The Best Ballroom Dance Styles For Beginners
Learning to dance provides you with social skills that last a lifetime and allows you to feel at ease in any situation where there is music and dancing. Once you decide that now is the time to learn how to dance, you may wonder which style is best to start with and which style will...
The Dancer’s Journal: Demystifying the Language of Dance Competitions
by Katyusha Schaffer Author, FADS Student Extraordinaire, and Amateur Competitor You’ve told your Fred Astaire Dance Studio Instructor that you feel ready to do your first competition – CONGRATULATIONS!! You have a great conversation with him/her and come up with a plan to dance several heats in your current division, participate in championships and scholarships...
Debunking Common Ballroom Dance Myths
Dance is one of the truly great things in our world. It’s expressive, vibrant, passionate. It brings people together. It celebrates music and movement. It’s romantic and healthy on just about every level – physical, emotional, social. And yet, every now and then, we hear from studio members who tell us that someone they like (or...
4 Reasons to Love The Tango
Ah the Tango. Romantic, passionate, intense, sensual. There are so many reasons to love this Latin dance style. The Tango is one of the most highly stylized ballroom dances we teach. It is dramatic, with measured crossing and flexing steps to the front, the side and the back combined with turns. Of all the dances...
3 Ways Dad Will Benefit From Dance Lessons
What do we get dear old Dad on Father’s Day? This is a dilemma for many. A tie? Been there. A polo shirt? Done that. Baseball cap? Yes, about three years ago. Let’s think about giving Pop something he can not only use and enjoy now, but also well into the future (no, we are not...
Dance: Something This Mother and Daughter Have in Common
Sari Gold and her daughter Emily walked into the Fred Astaire Dance Studio of Manhasset, NY at different times, and for different reasons. But there’s one aspect of dance they agree on – that it’s enhancing their relationship, by giving them something to share, together. At Bellagio Las Vegas during FAWC 2017, Sari and Emily Gold, joined...
Are You Ready to Hit the Dance Floor this Wedding Season?!
It’s that time again. The invitations are arriving in the mail and happy couples are announcing their wedding dates. June is such a popular month for nuptials and you know how much planning and effort went into finding a venue and a great band or DJ for a memorable event. The celebration will, of course,...
Doctor’s Orders: On Dance, Competing and Empathy
In addition to enriching her own life, dancing has helped Dr. Leslie Barnes Remski, Orthopedic Surgeon and FADS Pensacola, FL Student, to better empathize with her patients who have sustained injuries. Dr. Leslie Barnes Remski had always been interested in dance, but never had the chance to train. When she moved to Pensacola, FL she...
5 Reasons Couples Should Take Ballroom Dance Lessons
The closer you are, the closer you get. The closer you get, the closer you are. When couples take dance lessons together, they create a tighter bond, a better relationship and enjoy a more intimate physical relationship. The dance lesson – and, for that matter, any time the couple takes to the dance floor together...
Singles: Your Online Dating Profile is Live? Read our Tips for What’s Next!
Greetings, Dance Fans! Our last blog about the online dating scene was focused on “putting your best foot forward”, and creating your best online dating profile. Now that your online dating profile is live and generating potential matches, let’s move on to responding to those inquiries and going on an actual date! Congratulations! You took...
A Tiny, and Talented Competitive Ballroom Dancer!
Sasha, a student at Fred Astaire Dance Studios of Miami Beach, sat down with her parents and inSTEP at the 2017 Fred Astaire World Championships in Las Vegas, to tell us why she loves dancing. Eight year-old Sasha truly enjoys competition. She takes dance lessons at the FADS Miami Beach studio “because I saw the trophies in...
How Dance and Competing Helped this Mother and Daughter ‘Start Feeling Good Again’
In the spring of 2014, Deb Crane lost her husband, sister and niece in the span of less than a month. As she and her daughter, Leslie, struggled with their grief, FADS Menomonee Falls, WI became a surprising source of happiness, purpose and community. Their dance journey started in summer 2014, when a friend invited them...
Why We’re Thankful For Our Dance Instructors
Since it’s the Thanksgiving season, we grow a little introspective. We think of what we have, what we appreciate, the many things for which we are grateful. Often, those are not so much objects and possessions as the people in our lives. Our families, our good friends, the good people in our lives. At Fred...
What Do I Need To Know Before I Come For My First Lesson?
Congratulations! You’ve taken the first step toward learning new dance steps. You stopped by Fred Astaire Dance Studios, chatted with the manager and an instructor and decided the time is right to learn how to dance, to perk up your social life and to get in better shape (yes, dance does all of those things...
Singles: Involved in Online Dating? Put Your Best Foot Forward!
Add Ballroom Dance to your Repertoire! Internet dating has really changed in recent years. Five to 10 years ago, it was territory only for the bold and the “outliers”, but now it’s completely socially acceptable. And as our societies become increasingly fast-paced and we’re all challenged to carve out leisure time, more and more people worldwide...
Three Ways Dance Lessons Are Better Than A Gym Membership
Here come the holidays. And here come the parties, the snacks, the beverages, the little overindulgences that make clothing a bit too tight for comfort. Hey, we like to look good in our smart outfits. Even a couple of pounds can cause distress. We know how easy it is to add a few and how...
Why The Fred Astaire Dance Curriculum Is Better
You always know where you stand when you join Fred Astaire Dance Studios for ballroom dance instruction (and we don’t just mean on the dance floor). Fred Astaire Dance Studios (FADS) offers a superior and structured curriculum that allows new dancers to follow a program that moves them through various levels as their skills develop,...
Retiring? Here Are 5 Fun Hobbies To Keep You Vibrant
Many people make elaborate plans in preparation for retirement. According to reference.com, four million people retire in the U.S. every year. Their finances are in order and their medical plans are in place. They’ve planned to retire, but haven’t planned what to do with all of the time that comes with freedom from the world...
Reasons Why Love + Dance = The Perfect Match
Life can often seem like a dance. We lead, we follow, we separate, and we come together. At its best, life yields a comforting feeling of togetherness, of partnership and synchronous motion. Life actually becomes a dance, a couple moving seamlessly and in rhythm. In a relationship – especially as it mirrors dance – there’s...
4 Reasons Why We Love to Salsa
It’s summer, and summer brings the heat. The same goes for one of our favorite dances – salsa. It’s hot, hot, hot. Salsa continues to grow in popularity because of its fast pace and the lively music that accompanies this Caribbean-based dance. Latin dances build to a crescendo, creating tension and release. That makes salsa a...
Start Dancing With These 4 Questions
Have you thought of taking dance lessons, but never actually took the plunge? Ballroom dance instruction, whether in private lessons or group classes, provides many benefits physically, mentally and emotionally. Dance is not only a wonderful social and creative outlet, but one that can provide a very satisfying workout. Before you sign up for classes,...
Jump-start a Fitness Routine Through Dance School
Physical fitness encompasses much more than the body. Its impact on the mind, on emotion health and wellness, should never be underestimated. Are you looking to jump-start your fitness routine to keep fit and feel healthy all summer? We can help! At Fred Astaire Dance Studio, we help our current students look and feel great...
Make Dancing The Perfect Summertime Exercise!
Summertime always feels just so free and easy! The longer days, the barbecues, good times spent with friends, a gentle breeze under the moonlight – that’s summer. It’s a time to get out have fun, enjoy friends, family and events. Add something new and fun to your summer while keeping the bounce in your step...
What To Expect From Wedding Dance Lessons
That special First Dance between the bride and groom is more than just steps on a dance floor. For one, it’s symbolic of two moving as one, uniting and merging in a display of beauty and grace. It also heralds the joining of two families as those closest to the bride and groom also take...
Get Out of Hibernation with Us
It’s the same old story. When the weather’s colder, we don bulky sweaters, crave comfort food & don’t get outside to exercise as often. A pound here, a pound there, and pretty soon it adds up. And sticks out. And just doesn’t look or feel real good when we try on the old swimsuit in...
History of the Cha Cha
Once upon a time, it was known as the Cha-Cha-Cha. Somewhere along the way, it lost a Cha. Now it’s just the Cha Cha, but it has lost none of its appeal! This dance is characterized by three quick steps (Cha-Cha-Cha!) followed by two slower steps. With American Style Cha Cha averaging 30 beats per minute,...
Don’t Give Up On Your New Year’s Resolution!
It’s been a month and the party’s over. Actually, all of the parties are over. Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, New Year’s. All done. And they may have left behind a bit of a mess for you to clean up, right around your waist line. A cookie here, some eggnog there, a few holidays treats in between,...
Tips For Choosing a Ballroom Dance Studio
For many, social partner dancing is a way to enjoy ourselves and get the most out of life. It helps reduce the stresses of everyday life for a few hours and provides entertainment. Dancing is also a healthy activity to do with a loved one or a friend. Whether you’re interested in taking dance lessons...
Why Do You Think You Like To Dance?
We know that ballroom dance is beneficial physically, mentally and socially. But what is it, exactly, that makes us like to dance? Beyond the tangible physical, mental and social benefits, why does the movement and the expression of dance give us such pleasure? Now, here at Fred Astaire Dance Studios, we’d probably say we like...
The History of the Foxtrot
When we discuss the basics of ballroom dancing, we often fall back on two of its staple styles – the foxtrot and the waltz. Today we are going to take a closer look at the foxtrot – a smooth, progressive dance characterized by its slow step, and long, sinuous movements. Named for its creator, vaudeville...
Customized Wedding Dance Programs For Fall Weddings
Two of the most popular months for weddings – September and October – are just ahead. You know what weddings mean – some very important dances for the bride & groom to think about! There’s the First Dance for the bride and groom. Then there’s the Father / Daughter dance for the bride and her...
Use It or Lose It: Dancing Makes You Smarter
We at Fred Astaire Dance Studios love to share information about the benefits of dance – socializing, building confidence, learning a new pastime, getting in better shape – and so many more, including… guess what? Dancing makes you smarter! In an article called Use It or Lose It: Dancing Makes You Smarter, Richard Powers, who leads...
The Emotional Benefits To Dancing
We all have a basic need for acceptance, friendships, a social circle. And one of the best ways of building this type of support system and network is through the activity of dance. At Fred Astaire Dance Studios, we work very hard to provide exactly this type of atmosphere, and offer many ways for people...
4 Stretching Tips to Avoid Injury and Help Flexibility
We’re always happy when our students come into our Fred Astaire Dance Studio, ready and eager to take part in their favorite dance class. Today, we have a little tip for all of our students, whether long-time dancers or those just starting out: Try to arrive a few minutes early and maybe plan to stay...
Foot Care Tips to Keep You on Your Toes
“Dancing Feet” is one of the best-loved songs from the famed musical, “42nd Street.” So, how are you taking care of your dancing feet – or are you, at all? Whether you like to waltz or cha-cha or cross the dance floor in a glorious tango, your feet are the principal carriers of the rest of...
Slide Into Summer in Shape!
The official start of beach season is not far off! Memorial Day weekend, which marks the unofficial start of summer, is at the end of May, and that’s when we traditionally first slip into our swimsuits for revelry at the beach and pool parties. The big (so to speak) question is: will you fit in your...
The Overall Benefits of Dance
We get it. We’ve been there. You’re stressed, a little frazzled, and you want to be in better shape. But you’re not really the type with a hobby to take your mind off daily issues, and you’re not a gym rat or interested in team sports. What to do? Hey, you’ve already found our Dance...
5 Reasons Why You Should Consider Wedding Dance Lessons
Congratulations, you’re getting married! Now that the excitement of the proposal is over, and this incredible event has started to sink in – it’s planning time! The engagement party, the bridal shower, the registry… and all the plans and decisions for your special Wedding Day will soon be taking up lots of your time. One...
A Letter to the President
Dear Mr. Rothweiler, My wife and I recently did our first spotlight dance. Never in thirty years of marriage did we ever think we could dance, let alone be confident and proficient enough to do so for an audience. It was truly a benchmark moment in our lives. My wife and I have always been...
Would You Compete With Someone You Have Never Met?
It was on a Wednesday in July at the Mirage Hotel Las Vegas that Ted Postolachi first met his dance partners for the 2015 Fred Astaire World Championships (FAWC). Ted, a Dance Instructor at the Fred Astaire Dance Studio in Bardonia NY, was set to dance with Anna Tabolina and Ashley Michelle Jones, both of the...
FADS Middletown Shares their Pride in One of their Youngest Students!
The staff at Fred Astaire Dance Studios of Middletown, CT share their pride in one of their youngest stars, nine-year-old Aidan Boutin. Aidan and his twin sister, Abigail, began dancing tap and ballet when they were just three years old. When he was six, Aidan told his mother he wanted to spin the girls like they do...
The Transformative Power of Dance Helped this FADS Student Step into the Spotlight!
Meet Terry, a Fred Astaire Dance Studios student we feel so lucky to have! Five months ago, Terry came to a Practice Party at FADS Buffalo, NY studio with her husband, Tim. But they didn’t dance a step — oh, no! Instead, they watched the party from the “safe” lounge area, conversing with our students and...
Dance, As the Fountain of Youth and a Source of Pure Joy
Mary walks through falling snow, up the sidewalk and through the front door of the Fred Astaire Dance Studios’ Corporate Office in Longmeadow, MA. She is 88 years old and other than her Dance Instructor’s careful palm on her elbow, she is unassisted. Mary is visiting Corporate today, eager to see Jack Rothweiler (Fred Astaire Dance...
When We Meet Again, We Will Dance…
Edwin Robbins, a 23-year student at the Fred Astaire Dance Studio of Manhattan East Side, NY, shares in his own words, how his two left feet danced him to a lifelong love story. “My prom date told me after three box steps that I had no rhythm. Then the Navy excused me from marching. During my...
9 Benefits You Can Experience Once You Start Dancing
Whether you flaunt your every move on the dance floor or sway to your favorite songs in the car, dance is an activity that everybody enjoys, in one way or another. Luckily, dancing is something that will not only bring a smile to your face, but can also help improve your physical and mental health....
This FADS Student’s Story Is 1,000 Lessons Long…
(And that just might be the number of times Marilyn Clasen passed the building sign, too…) …the one in her neighborhood, that said “Fred Astaire Dance Studio” — before she went in. Once she did, she no longer felt like ‘just another stranger from Cleveland’. She was soon immersed in a new, healthy, exciting, favorite...
Time Has Made Her Who She Is
If you flipped through the June 2014 issue of Oprah Winfrey’s O Magazine , you might have recognized a familiar face. Perhaps you remember Tao Porchon-Lynch from one of Fred Astaire Dance Studios’ National Dance Competitions, or if you’re a member of the Fred Astaire Dance Studios of Hartsdale NY family, you might even know...
After Surgery, Rediscovering Dance
After two knee surgeries, Bree Kleist searched for a new way to keep moving – and rediscovered her love for dance! “My knees were killing me. I spent 8 years in the Air Force, four of them as a heating specialist, kneeling and squatting in front of furnaces and boilers all day long. I spent...