{"id":504,"date":"2024-07-30T16:48:43","date_gmt":"2024-07-30T16:48:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fredastaire.com\/franchising\/?page_id=504"},"modified":"2024-07-30T17:12:41","modified_gmt":"2024-07-30T17:12:41","slug":"history","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.fredastaire.com\/franchising\/history\/","title":{"rendered":"History"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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History of Fred Astaire Dance Studios Through the Decades\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/p>

Fred Astaire had helped, along with other influences, to awaken the public to the pleasures and\u00a0<\/span>benefits of better social dancing. It was the time of the \u201cBig Bands\u201d and couples on dance floors\u00a0<\/span>around the country danced to the romantic and lively music of the 30\u2019s and 40\u2019s as aspiring\u00a0<\/span>\u201cFred\u2019s\u201d or \u201cGinger\u2019s.\u201d<\/p>

Recognizing the dancing need was a dedicated Fred Astaire fan, Charles L. Casanave, who at the\u00a0<\/span>time was a well-known motion picture executive. He had a dream of sharing Astaire\u2019s gift with the\u00a0<\/span>American public and approached Mr. Astaire with his idea at a meeting in the Plaza Hotel in New\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

York City in 1946. These two dynamic personalities from different sides of the film industry stirred\u00a0<\/span>each other\u2019s imagination to such an extent that before the meeting was over, a great new\u00a0<\/span>partnership had been formed. Fred Astaire was to bring his immense talent out of glamorous\u00a0<\/span>Hollywood onto the dance floors of America and the world. Fred Astaire Dance Studios\u00ae had been\u00a0<\/span>born.<\/p>

Many still remember the excitement surrounding the opening of the first studio on Park Avenue\u00a0<\/span>in New York City in March, 1947. Presumably in early retirement from his film career, here was\u00a0<\/span>the famous Fred Astaire actually opening the first of a national chain of ballroom dance schools. A\u00a0<\/span>tremendous challenge was ahead. Would the public accept the idea?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

In excess of $100,000 was spent in advertising for this first big event. Over many months while a\u00a0<\/span>decorator\u2019s dream of a dance studio was being built, Fred Astaire himself made daily treks to a\u00a0<\/span>nearby rehearsal hall with many young teachers in tow and laid the foundation of the famed Fred\u00a0<\/span>Astaire method of ballroom dance instruction. Celebrities swarmed to see him during and after the opening. Such familiar faces of the time as his partner Vera Ellen, comedian Red Buttons,\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Shirley Booth, Alan Hale, bandleaders Xavier Cugat and Paul Whiteman were seen coming and\u00a0<\/span>going. Astaire\u2019s wife, Phyllis, was a constant companion, and he was even visited by one of his\u00a0<\/span>own idols, Irene Castle. It was a grand time and a significant start to a great dream.<\/p>

Throughout the next decade, the beautiful training center at Park Avenue inspired the opening of\u00a0<\/span>many Fred Astaire studios across the country. Many of the original professionals instructed by\u00a0<\/span>Astaire himself, including then National Dance Director, John Monte, became studio executives\u00a0<\/span>and dance personalities in their own right. Studios thrived as thousands of thrilled students\u00a0<\/span>flocked to their doors, eager to learn the Fred Astaire method of dancing.<\/p>

The early years saw other events bring the name of Fred Astaire Dance Studios\u00ae to the public\u2019s\u00a0<\/span>attention, such as Astaire\u2019s creation of the \u201cSwing Trot,\u201d the publication of the Fred Astaire Dance\u00a0<\/span>Book and the release of the Fred Astaire Dance Records through RCA-Camden. This new idea had\u00a0<\/span>met its challenge and the groundwork had been laid well, assuring a future for a dance chain\u00a0<\/span>inspired by a very famous pair of feet.<\/p>

The Middle Years: Growth & Strength to the Early 1970\u2019s<\/b><\/p>

Following the passing of Charles L. Casanave, Sr. in 1958, his sons Charles L. Casanave, Jr. and\u00a0<\/span>Chester F. Casanave assumed the leadership of the Fred Astaire organization with Fred Astaire\u2019s\u00a0<\/span>approval and blessing. Mr. Astaire, by this time, had already relinquished his stock in the Fred\u00a0<\/span>Astaire Dance Studios\u00ae Corporation and remained a consultant until 1967. From that time on he\u00a0<\/span>had no personal connection with the organization.<\/p>

Motivated by their deep respect and love for the dance profession and seasoned by their\u00a0<\/span>association with the chain from its inception, Charles and Chester Casanave carefully developed\u00a0<\/span>their father\u2019s original concept of utilizing Fred Astaire\u2019s talent and transmitting it to the public\u00a0<\/span>through a network of franchised studios within Fred Astaire Dance Studios\u00ae. Shortly thereafter,\u00a0<\/span>they conceived a new idea that would revolutionize the dance profession \u2013 the Regional Franchise\u00a0<\/span>System. New \u201cMaster Licensors\u201d became responsible for the supervision and development of\u00a0<\/span>their franchised territories. Among the most talented and successful businessmen in the dance\u00a0<\/span>profession, the Master Licensors played a key role in the expansion of the organization.<\/p>

An important outgrowth of the new system was the creation of Fred Astaire Dance Studios\u00ae franchising system. Its members are the Master Licensors, the Affiliate Members are the\u00a0<\/span>authorized Fred Astaire Dance Studios\u00ae Franchisees and Fred Astaire Dance Studios\u00ae personnel\u00a0<\/span>are eligible to become Professional Members.<\/p>

The middle years also gave birth to another concept developed by John Monte, our National Dance\u00a0<\/span>Director at that time, who was the artistic director of the official Fred Astaire Dance Studios\u00aeCurriculum. Mr. Monte hand-picked outstanding dancers and professionalsfrom the organization\u00a0<\/span>to form the Fred Astaire International Dance Council. These Dance Council Members were\u00a0<\/span>commissioned to work with regional and local Dance Directors, to conduct Dance Training\u00a0<\/span>Seminars, Examinations, and to actively coordinate the maintenance of the high dance standards\u00a0<\/span>established for the organization as a whole.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

The subsequent rapid growth of Fred Astaire Dance Studios\u00ae and increased demand for\u00a0<\/span>professional services then led to the establishment of the Dance Service Department, a small\u00a0<\/span>group of superbly qualified dance specialists who were authorized to conduct training and\u00a0<\/span>examinations in all phases of the Fred Astaire Dance Studios\u00ae Steps and Styling on a nationwide\u00a0<\/span>basis.<\/p>

The Later Years: Pride in Our Reputation<\/b><\/p>

The 1970\u2019s saw a fruition and continuation of the dedicated work of the earlier years. We had\u00a0<\/span>arrived at maturity having survived the growing pains of youth and adolescence. Our strength\u00a0<\/span>derives from the fact that we hold the name of a fabulous dance personality in our trade name,\u00a0<\/span>the most complete ballroom Curriculum in the world and the finest assembly of professionals.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Our greatest satisfaction however, comes from knowing that we have helped people, several\u00a0<\/span>million, to a more enjoyable life through dancing. We are proud of our distinguished students as\u00a0<\/span>we are proud of our accomplishments and reputation.<\/p>

The late Charles L. Casanave\u2019s vision has been realized by the establishment of a world-wide\u00a0<\/span>organization of Fred Astaire Dance Studios\u00ae located in almost every major city and many smaller\u00a0<\/span>communities within the United States, as well as in many other parts of the world. For almost\u00a0<\/span>half a century, our schools have produced a wealth of amateur and professional ballroom\u00a0<\/span>dancers who are a living embodiment of the Astaire style and approach \u2013 superb social dancing\u00a0<\/span>performed with ease, style and elegant grace, combined with a sound technical foundation.<\/p>

By the continual development of better methods, patterns, programs, activities and techniques\u00a0<\/span>over the years, Fred Astaire Dance Studios\u00ae offers the most complete ballroom Curriculum in the\u00a0<\/span>world and the finest professionals, a well-organized franchise system, exciting national, regional,\u00a0<\/span>interregional, international and virtual activities, thus offering the highest possible standard of\u00a0<\/span>social and ballroom dancing, and the best dance schools in the world.<\/p>

It is a tribute to the chain\u2019s founder that his concept of perpetuating the master\u2019s unmatched\u00a0style has been so successfully realized by the dancers of Fred Astaire Dance Studios\u00ae today.<\/p>

Today & Tomorrow\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/p>

A new management team, comprised of the organizations most prominent Area Representatives,\u00a0<\/span>assumed control to guide the company and its Franchisees to an even more increased level of\u00a0<\/span>service, expansion and profitability. The likes of which have never been seen before in the dance\u00a0<\/span>business.<\/p>

Their priority is to continue the company\u2019s leadership role as the number one name in the dance\u00a0<\/span>industry. Shareholders were elected and a new president. Under her direction, the company\u00a0<\/span>introduced many new programs and companies that are now in full force.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Currently, Fred Astaire Dance Studios\u00ae operates hundreds of studios in the United States and\u00a0<\/span>abroad. Backed by a rich history of dance education and experience, the organization has\u00a0<\/span>embarked on expanding a campaign to franchise and open new studios all over the world under\u00a0<\/span>our national umbrella.<\/p>

Our Area Representatives oversee the expanding operations on a state-by-state and international\u00a0<\/span>level. Our National Corporate Office is comprised of a team of experienced team members and\u00a0<\/span>executives; from legal, franchising, financial, branding & marketing, administrative to artistic\u00a0<\/span>directors for our International Dance Council. New standards of success are now being felt at all\u00a0<\/span>levels of the organization.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Recently, the company has launched a variety of platforms that are sure to propel each Fred\u00a0<\/span>Astaire Dance Studios\u00ae studio to great, long-term success!<\/p>

  • Astaire Management Program (AMP)<\/li>
  • Fred Astaire Access<\/li>
  • Life\u2019s Better When You Dance (LBWYD)<\/li>
  • Fred Astaire Dance Studios\u00ae Dance Store Kiosk & eCommerce Site<\/li>
  • The Fred Astaire Dance Studios\u00ae Organization<\/li><\/ul>


    The long term plans call for the continuance of its expansion programs and acceleration of\u00a0<\/span>promotional and marketing activities, with a greater emphasis and focus on the further\u00a0<\/span>development, growth and training of every person who comes in contact with the company.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

    \u201cBy its very nature, the name Fred Astaire in dancing means a perpetual striving for that rare quality\u2026perfection in teaching and service to our students. Let us re-dedicate ourselves today, and every\u00a0<\/span>day to that goal. As the years go by, we will then continue to build living monuments to our\u00a0<\/span>inspiration and ideal.\u201d -Mr. Fred Astaire<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    History History of Fred Astaire Dance Studios Through the Decades\u00a0 Fred Astaire had helped, along with other influences, to awaken the public to the pleasures and\u00a0benefits of better social dancing. It was the time of the \u201cBig Bands\u201d and couples on dance floors\u00a0around the country danced to the romantic and lively music of the 30\u2019s […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":313,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-504","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fredastaire.com\/franchising\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/504","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fredastaire.com\/franchising\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fredastaire.com\/franchising\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fredastaire.com\/franchising\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/313"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fredastaire.com\/franchising\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=504"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.fredastaire.com\/franchising\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/504\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fredastaire.com\/franchising\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=504"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}