Category: Dance Info, News & Trends

10 Tips to Improve Your Ballroom Technique

Any ballroom dancer can tell you, there is no easy way to get amazing at any particular ballroom style in a short period of time. However, there are certainly best practices that smart dancers will use to ensure they get the most out of every moment spent practicing, performing, and thinking about ballroom dance! Here...

What Heel is Best for You?

When it comes to shoes, comfort and performance go hand-in-hand. Possibly the most important component of a dancer’s outfit, the type of shoe and heel you choose is crucial. We’ve compiled a list of heels that suit different needs and dancer preferences. Traditional Heel The traditional dancing heel, known as the “Oxford” or the “Gibson,”...

A Brief History of Ballroom Dance

Ballroom dance is a broad term that encompasses a variety of dance styles that are performed in a ballroom setting. These styles include the Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot, Quickstep, and Viennese Waltz. The history of ballroom dance can be traced back to the 16th century in Europe, where it was primarily a social activity for the...

What Type of Dress Should You Choose for Your Latin Dance?

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Ballroom dance outfits, especially for the ladies, can range from flirty and fun to graceful and elegant. Latin dance in particular highlights the dancers’ legs and hips, making it more sexy and provocative. But what kind of dresses go well with each of the 5 Latin dances? Paso Doble This traditional Spanish is passionate and...

What to Expect From Your First Dance Lesson

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Many of our dancers come to their very first lesson with zero experience. They’ve had little if any exposure to ballroom dancing and they just aren’t sure what will be expected of them… or their body. We are happy to report that you can 100 percent expect to have fun! Our warm and friendly studios...

Fuel Your Body For Dance!

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Eating right can help you make the most of your ballroom dancing lesson at Fred Astaire Dance Studios as you improve your dance moves! Ballroom dancing is a fun way to stay active and trim your waistline. Thirty minutes on the dance floor can burn at least 200 calories. That’s more than 30 minutes on...

Give the Gift of Dance This Holiday Season!

No matter what you’re celebrating this holiday season, give your friends and family a gift they’ll treasure! Dance lessons with Fred Astaire Dance Studios make for the perfect present, even if your loved ones don’t have any dance experience.    Dance lessons are a fun and physical activity Does the gift recipient want to start...

Dance Brings Out A Better, Smarter, Healthier You!

Like all forms of physical fitness, dance is an exceptional way to get healthy and stay healthy, whether you are 10 or 100 years old. The health benefits of dance are so numerous and exciting that we just have to share some with you! Dance Can Improve Focus One of the best benefits our students...

Dancing for your Health & Wellbeing

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At Fred Astaire Dance Studios, we believe wholeheartedly in the power of dance as a social engagement and a form of personal improvement and expression! But arguably even more key in the appeal and value of Ballroom dance are the health benefits it can confer! Ballroom dancing and other forms of social dance are powerful...

Wedding Dance Questions You’re Too Embarrassed to Ask!

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So! Your wedding day is coming up, and you are now realizing that you have to DANCE! In front of CLOSE FRIENDS AND FAMILY! AAHHHHHH! Take a deep breath. You’ll get through this. To help assuage the fears and concerns of brides and grooms to-be who don’t have any dance experience or knowledge, we’ve compiled...

How To Ease Your Pre-Competition Nerves

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It is rare, almost impossible, to come across a dancer that doesn’t get nervous before competing. Nerves are a natural part of competing, and dealing with and embracing those nerves can be difficult! Here are a few tips to help you manage the inevitable pre-performance jitters: Get up and move around! It is difficult to...

Dance Your Way to Warm Weather

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Leave the cold weather months of winter behind and dance your way into spring with Fred Astaire Dance Studios. Buds are starting to sprout on trees, and flowers are beginning to bloom as the cold weather of winter recedes, and warmer temperatures prevail. Restaurants are welcoming nice weather by opening up their outdoor patios. Farmers’...

Spring Clean Your Soul by Dancing!

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You can feel it when you step outside. No, we’re not talking about the pollen; we’re talking about spring. It’s the time when Mother Nature renews all around us… when everything just seems to come alive. Many people celebrate by stepping outside and into the garden. The urge to plant and grow things is strong...

Proper Footwear Improves Ballroom Dance Finesse

Students at Fred Astaire Dance Studios are dancing their way to good health by achieving fulfillment and fun on the dance floor. Taking care of your feet by picking proper dance shoes is an important step to take when learning how to salsa, cha-cha and swing. Pay Attention to Your Feet Taking care of your...

Stay Heart Healthy With the Power of Dance

It is no secret that dance helps keep people in shape, but what you may not know is that dancing regularly can have a huge impact on your cardiovascular health! A 2014 study was conducted in the United Kingdom to further examine the ties between dancing and improved heart health. Scientists asked 48,000 people over...

Regular Stretching Improves Ballroom Dance Skills

Did you know that dancing can help increase flexibility and give you relief from muscle aches? Keep your body in tip-top shape and ensure your ballroom dance skills flourish by starting a regular stretching routine. Regular stretching can improve physical performance, decrease injury, improve joint movement and improve muscles, Mayo Clinic reports. When we do...

Five Ways to Renew Romance This Month

With Valentine’s Day on the horizon, February is the perfect month to renew the romance in your relationship. Love is in the air at Fred Astaire Dance Studios and we are celebrating this month by reminding couples about the importance of keeping romance alive and thriving in their relationship. The news for couples in America...

Break From Tradition! Lessons at Fred Astaire Dance Studios are the Perfect Valentine’s Day Gift

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner and ballroom dance lessons at Fred Astaire Dance Studios are the perfect Valentine’s Day Gift! This is a holiday that is full of traditional expectations: romantic dinners, boxed chocolates… maybe even a dozen red roses. Here at Fred Astaire Dance Studios, we’re all for tradition, but we think...

Rekindle Romance on the Dance Floor

Resist the temptation this Valentine’s Day to take the easy route and buy a box of chocolates or a bouquet of roses for your significant other. Rekindle romance with your loved one to an innovative alternative by gifting them a ballroom dance lesson at your local Fred Astaire Dance Studios. Ballroom dancing provides a romantic...

Dance Your Way to a Healthy New Year

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Want a healthy new year? Ditch the resolutions to join the gym or start a new diet. Launch the new year off by taking up a hobby that can help you stay fit and have fun. Almost 50 percent of Americans are resolving to eat healthier and to exercise more this year, according to a...

Find Peace & Happiness in the New Year with These Tips

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Fred Astaire Dance Studios is encouraging people to resolve to focus on self-care to find joy and serenity in the year ahead. As Americans continue to grapple with the repercussions of the pandemic, the new year marks the perfect time to focus on finding balance and peace in the chaos of daily life. One of...

Make Time to Rock Around the Christmas Tree

Hearing familiar Christmas carols puts a spring in your step, and the month of December would not be the same without the tunes we use to mark the holiday season. The first Christmas hymns can be traced back to Rome in the fourth century. Christmas carols combine scripture and music to celebrate the season. The...

Find Christmas Cheer by Dancing on Social Media

Families across the country are jumping on the TikTok bandwagon to break up the monotony of spending so much time at home and to form new traditions this holiday season. This past year tested the mental fortitude of many families, as they worked together to tackle remote workplaces, virtual school and the cancellation of treasured...

Thanksgiving Parade Tradition Marches On

While many Thanksgiving traditions are on hold, Fred Astaire Dance Studios is pleased that the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, showcasing numerous dance performances and musical guests, is slated to continue. The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is typically held every year on Thanksgiving morning along the streets of New York City. The televised event features a...

Top 10 Dance Flash Mobs

During this new era of social distancing and safety protocols, let’s take a walk down memory lane with the top 10 most-viewed dance flash mobs of all time. Traditionally, dance flash mobs are when a group of people assemble in a public place to wow the crowd with an eye-catching dance routine. The first known...

Did You Know Dancing Can Reduce The Onset of Dementia?

Fred Astaire Dance Studios encourages seniors to start dancing to stay in shape, have fun and help stave off Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. In 1983, President Ronald Reagan declared November National Alzheimer’s Awareness Month to help raise awareness for the most common form of dementia. Alzheimer’s Disease is a degenerative brain disease that impacts memory,...

Breast Cancer & The Benefits of Dance For Survivors

Breast Cancer Awareness Month does more than simply alert us that this cruel killer of a disease remains untamed. It reminds us not only of the lives lost but the ones saved, the survivors. Whether in remission or cured, those who have suffered from breast cancer can continue to have a number of physical and...

Mental Health Awareness & The Mental Health Benefits of Dancing

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Feeling stressed? Not a surprise. This has not been an easy road. Health in the time of the coronavirus has become an issue extending far beyond the physical damage that can be done by COVID-19. Life as we know it has been severely disrupted. The mind/body connection, so important to overall wellness, can break down...

National Ballroom Dance Week Reminds Us To Never Stop Learning

September always reminds us of learning and the challenges of mastering new worlds. As children in school, we studied the basics. In college we branched out into areas that complemented reading, writing, and ‘rithmetic – philosophy, art, dance. We soaked it all in and it made us who we are today. Learning is a lifelong...

Is Dancing on the Menu This Labor Day?

This Labor Day might not be the same as past ones but that’s no reason we can’t still enjoy the holiday. We just need to find different ways of doing it. Planning a backyard barbecue with the family? Party on. But let’s think about staying active if we can’t march in the parade or go...

Regular Stretching Improves Ballroom Dance Skills

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Did you know that dancing can help increase flexibility and give you relief from muscle aches? Keep your body in tip-top shape and ensure your ballroom dance skills flourish by starting a regular stretching routine. Regular stretching can improve physical performance, decrease injury, improve joint movement and improve muscles, Mayo Clinic reports. When we do not stretch,...

Get A Head Start!

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“To dance is to live,” wrote Charles M. Schulz, the beloved creator of Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and the Peanuts gang. And that’s just what our plan is – to dance and to live. Dance has always enhanced life, made it sweeter. Maybe now more than ever. As the world edges toward a new normal, we’re...

Fred Astaire Dance Studios® NEW Online Lessons Platform

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Staying mentally, emotionally and physically sound during trying times is one of the best prescriptions we can offer. Dance is a great way to bust stress and stay in shape. You don’t even need to leave the house – because now, dance will come to you, with Fred Astaire Dance Studios® new Online Lessons platform!...

Weight Loss Through Dance and Diet

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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...

A Few Of Our Favorite Dance Movies!

When you think of movies featuring great dancers, the first name that comes to mind is Fred Astaire, founder of Fred Astaire Franchised Dance Studios. Often partnered with the gifted Ginger Rogers, Fred Astaire brought fabulous moves, smooth sophistication and romance to the big screen. And, of course, Ginger Rogers did the same – backwards,...

An In-Depth Guide: Preparing Your Body For a Dance Competition

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Fred Astaire Dance Studios across the globe host many regional and national competitions throughout the year. In order to feel fully prepared for a FADS dance competition, you want to make sure you are treating your body right for the few weeks leading up to the competition so you are able to handle the demands...

The Importance of Good Technique

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When it comes to dance, no truer words were spoken than what was said by British poet and dramatist, John Dryden in the 1600’s, “Dancing is the poetry of the foot.” Whether dancing in front of an audience or dancing down a street on a sunny afternoon, the feet write and display the graceful beauty...

How To Tell The Difference Between Popular Types Of Latin Dances

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Ballroom dance is enjoyed all over the world in a variety of forms, many having common roots. This is particularly true of the popular Latin dances. While we often think of them as South American specialties, their histories are more complicated than that. Many derive from African rhythms and patterns that were later adapted in...

Fred Astaire Dance Partners: January Birthdays

Ginger Rogers is likely the dance partner we think of first, but Fred Astaire, our co-founder and namesake, was fortunate to have performed and starred with numerous well-known & talented dancers, on both stage and screen during his career. This blog post highlights the stories of two of Astaire’s esteemed dance partners – George Burns...

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...

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...

Do’s and Don’t of Social Dancing

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Dancing is a staple of many social activities conducted in public – weddings, social and business parties, dinner dates – and as such, is subject to the usual social conventions. Grace and charm are part of dance (and part of the fun!), and your personality is as well. Ballroom dancing can be active and passionate...

How Well Do You Know Ballroom Dance Trivia?

Test your knowledge and see how much you know about ballroom dance trivia, with this super-fun quiz, originally published on Discovery.com. 1. This early form of ballroom dominated the dance scene from the 17th century to the 19th century. A. Minuet B. Waltz C. Reel 2. Which 3/4 count ballroom dance style represented a transition...

4 Reasons Why We Love to Salsa

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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

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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,...

Facts About Fred

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To watch Fred Astaire dance on film – even today – is to marvel at his grace, skill and athleticism. What many don’t know is the extent to which this virtuoso practiced, worked on… and worried about his craft.  Astaire’s brilliance speaks of a confident character without a care. But Fred Astaire, namesake and co-founder of...

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,...

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...

How Dance Relieves Stress & Loneliness During the Holidays

Many of our students tell us that they think of their Fred Astaire Dance Studio as a home-away-from-home, and a family. These are people with a common interest – a love of dance – who also discovered a genuine fondness for each other, a wonderful outlet for their creativity, and a sense of accomplishment as...

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...

Use It or Lose It: Dancing Makes You Smarter

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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

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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

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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

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“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...

The Overall Benefits of Dance

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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...

Fred Astaire and Hermes Pan: A Collaboration That Changed 20th Century Dance Choreography

The legendary dance talents of Fred Astaire were surely influenced, even enhanced, by the many dance partners, collaborators and choreographers he worked with during his iconic career. This blog post tips a hat to Hermes Pan… dancer, choreographer, collaborator and good friend of Fred Astaire for over 60 years. Born on December 10, 1909 in...

Fred Astaire Dance Partners: November Birthdays

Fred Astaire’s iconic talents as a professional dancer wouldn’t have been possible if not for his numerous & talented dance partners. Ginger Rogers may have been the most well-known, but our co-founder and namesake was fortunate to have had the opportunity to star with numerous dancers on both stage and screen. This post celebrates two dancing...

Fred Astaire Dance Partners: October Birthdays

Beyond his own talent, Fred Astaire’s success as a professional dancer wouldn’t have been possible if not for his numerous, talented dance partners. Our co-founder and namesake was fortunate to have starred with numerous dancers, on both stage and screen. This post celebrates three of his dancing co-stars with October birthdays: Claire Luce, Rita Hayworth...

Beyond Dancing: the Debonair Fred Astaire

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The name of the beloved Fred Astaire is instantly recognized throughout the world. But were there aspects of Fred Astaire, besides his professional dancing and acting career, that no camera ever revealed? Upon Astaire’s death from pneumonia at age 88, New York Times dance critic, Anna Kisselgoff, said: “The magnitude of his achievement is as great a social phenomenon as it is...

Fred Facts Quiz – How Serious a Fred Astaire Fan are You?

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Do you consider yourself a true fan of Fred Astaire? Take the challenge and quiz yourself on some “Fred Facts”, then check your score below to see what kind of “Fred Fan” you really are! 1. Where was Fred Astaire born? A. Hamburg, Germany B. Linz, Austria C. Omaha, Nebraska, U.S.A 2. What was Fred...

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....

Barrie Chase: She Danced With a Legend

Saturday evening at the FAWC (Fred Astaire World Championships) 2014 Dance Competition in Las Vegas, the suspense rose as our (now, former) President/CEO, Jack Rothweiler, began introducing his surprise guest to the audience. He mentioned the Fred Astaire TV Specials, talked of his first meeting with this guest and their conversation of four-plus hours. Still,...

Popular Dance Movies Quiz – How Much Do YOU Know?

Dance films started out as rather classy productions, with Fred Astaire or Gene Kelly dancing in top hats, tails & spats… and often, with a lovely & talented leading lady. In later years, dance movies got downright racy as they were taken to the streets. Let’s see how much you know about some very popular...