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The Gift of Dance Makes a Great Holiday Present!
Ballroom dance lessons make a perfect holiday gift because of the many benefits they can provide. Not only does dance help people to stay fit and healthy, but it also teaches them coordination, creativity and discipline. It’s a creative and out-of-the-box gift idea AND it’s a gift that keeps on giving. Dance can be a...
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...
How to Deal With Perfectionism
Perfectionism is a common trait among ballroom dancers. It can be helpful in driving you to improve your skills and become the best dancer you can be. However, perfectionism can also be harmful if it leads to excessive self-criticism or perfectionistic standards that are impossible to meet. There are some things you can do to...
What Type of Dress Should You Choose for Your Latin Dance?
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...
Fuel Your Body For Dance!
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...
What to Expect At Your First Dance Lesson!
Whether you’re learning some new moves for the first dance at your wedding or hoping to drop a few pounds before swimsuit season arrives, your first dance lesson can be a lot to handle. Knowing what to expect during your lesson will help you stay focused and be ready to hit the dance floor. At...
Relieve Daily Stress With Dance!
Fred Astaire Dance Studios urges people to cut loose on the dance floor to help reduce stress and alleviate anxiety during trying times. Watching Russia’s invasion of Ukraine unfold on national television and social media is mobilizing Americans to take action by providing humanitarian aid and support for the people of the democratic nation. At...
Find Your New Year’s Dance Resolution!
The new year is here, and that means it’s time for New Year’s resolutions, promises, and challenges to sweep across the world, and then be promptly forgotten by next month. At Fred Astaire Dance Studios, we believe in setting realistic, achievable goals that help you better yourself. To this end, we’ve compiled a short list...
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...
Holiday Season Dance Gift Giving Guide!
Ballroom dancers are always looking for new ways to improve their skills and enhance their performances, so there are plenty of opportunities for great gifts out there to help them further their passions. Here are some great gift ideas for the ballroom dancer in your life! Dance Shoes A good pair of dance shoes is...
Dancing for your Health & Wellbeing
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...
5 Things You Should Know About the Father-Daughter Dance
The father-daughter dance is a staple at many weddings. It’s the moment when the bride honors their father, and represents the love and gratitude they have for the father or father figure in their life. If you decide to include the father-daughter dance in your own wedding, you might not know where to begin....
Wedding Dance Questions You’re Too Embarrassed to Ask!
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...
Famous Dance Moms That Make a Difference!
Mother’s Day is the most important day of the year to celebrate moms for all their support and love. However, once we recognize the sacrifices and the time moms dedicate to our success, we can’t help but ask: what would we do without them? Moms deserve more than flowers and brunch for their efforts, especially...
Calm Wedding Dance Jitters With Spotlight-Worthy Moves
Your wedding is a day you hope to remember fondly for the rest of your life, but if something goes wrong, it can easily mar your big day. Take it from the folks who’ve been there for countless couples — your wedding is not something you want to mess up. But many people might not...
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...
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...
Find the Benefits of Dance in Twin Cities
It’s true! Start ballroom dance lessons, and you’ll get so much more in return than just learning to dance!
Take a Cue From The 1920’s and Learn to Tango
Heat up your summer evenings with your favorite partner by letting the professionals at Fred Astaire Dance Studios teach you the tango; a steamy dance that roared onto the dance scene in the 1920s. Holding a red rose between your teeth is optional. The tango has its roots in brothels and dance halls of the...
Dancing With the Stars: Finale – And the Winner Is…
Season 28 of Dancing With the Stars has officially ended, and we have a new Mirrorball Champion. On Monday night, Lauren Alaina, Kel Mitchell, Ally Brooke, and Hannah Brown left their hearts on the dance floor in the hopes of becoming this season’s winner. In the end, Lauren & Gleb placed fourth, Ally & Sasha...
Dancing With the Stars: Week 10 – We Did Not See That Elimination Coming
Monday was the Semi-Finals of Dancing With the Stars. After last week’s bottom 2 and elimination seemed to be based on the quality of the dancing instead of personality, I thought this week might be the same. Boy, was I wrong. Somehow, the two couples that I’ve been praising since the beginning (or very close...
Give a Gift, Get a Gift
This holiday season, we invite you to help us make it a joyous holiday, for local kids in need. Beginning December 1st, just bring a new unwrapped toy to Fred Astaire Dance Studios. We’ll deliver all the toys in time for holiday giving – and we’ll thank YOU with a FREE Introductory Dance Lesson! So… give...
Dance to Remember
November is Alzheimer’s Awareness Month, and Fred Astaire Dance Studios is proud to honor those who have been impacted by symptoms, and all those who are part of their loved one’s journey. Let us share the healing power of dance: join us for a FREE Introductory Dance Lesson! Simply contact us to schedule a convenient...
Give the Gift of Dance
Are you looking for a unique and fun gift this holiday season? Try the gift of dance. There are so many benefits to dance. Enjoy time together, great exercise, meet new people and so much more. Life’s Better When You Dance
Help those in need and get something in return.
Join with us to help ensure that no one in our community goes hungry during the holidays. This month, we’re partnering with a local food shelf. Simply bring non-perishable food items to Fred Astaire Dance Studios by November 25th. We’ll deliver everything to in time for holiday meals, and we’ll thank YOU with a FREE...
End Your Week With A Bang
Practice Party and Series Group class Friday November 15th. Argentine Tango at 7:00 PM and Practice Party at 7:45 PM. Join us for a fun and exciting end to the week.
Beat the Monday Blues: Sign up for Series Group Class
Another week has begun, so you know what that means… Tomorrow is our Series Group Class and Practice Party. Did you miss last week’s class? That’s alright! We’ll review the basics, and then you’ll be introduced to more patterns that you can add to your dancing wheelhouse. Join us at 7pm, and then stick around...
It’s Not Too Late! – Guest Party November 14th
It’s not too late! (To sign up your friends and family for this month’s Guest Party.) Introduce them to the power of dance this Thursday (November 14th) at 8pm. There will be demonstrations, a mini group class, and plenty of liquid courage. Who will you be bringing?
Dancing With the Stars – Week 7: Trick or Treat? It’s Halloween Night
This week, Dancing With the Stars treated us to spooky routines from numerous different styles. The standouts? Kate Flannery and her partner Pasha. Her extensions and arm styling during their Rumba routine were beautiful. She has been working hard and you could tell from this performance. This was definitely my favorite of hers. Sadly, her...
Dancing With the Stars: Week 6 – Who Went Home? This Week’s Shocking Elimination
Week 6 of Dancing With the Stars showed continued growth for most of the dancers. After some amazing performances during Disney Night, the two couples facing elimination were not the ones we were expecting. Because of audience votes, either Ally Brooke and her partner Sasha or Sailor Brinkley-Cook and her partner Val would be going...
Dancing With the Stars – Week 5: The Magic of Disney
The Magic of Disney filled the hearts of the judges this past Monday, and no one was eliminated! Throughout the night there were a few standout performances. James Van Der Beek and Hannah Brown impressed, as they have the past four weeks. Sailor Brinkley-Cook’s Viennese Waltz was beautiful. It has been wonderful seeing her growth...
Let’s Have a Spooky Halloween Potluck!
Halloween is two weeks away, and the staff at the South Metro Fred Astaire Dance Studio wants to celebrate with you. On Monday the 28th, our Practice Party will be a Practice Party + Potluck. Sign up is through email. If you would like to sign up but have not received the email, give us...
Dancing With the Stars – Week 4: Who Was Eliminated This Week?
Last week, Ray Lewis took himself out of the competition because of an injury. This week, the bottom two were selected by lowest live votes and lowest combined scores for weeks 2 and 3. Those numbers put Lamar & Peta and Karamo & Jenna in the bottom. In the end, Dancing With the Stars said...
Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Free Introductory Dance Lesson
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. For the entire month of October, Fred Astaire Dance Studio South Metro will be offering a FREE Introductory Dance Lesson to Survivors, Friends, Family, and Caregivers. Discover the Healing Power of Dance. Give us a call today.
Coffee and Dance: The Perfect Combination
Fall is here! The temperatures have dropped and the leaves are changing colors. Dancing With the Stars is back on TV. It’s the perfect season to start a new hobby. So grab your pumpkin spice latte, stop by Fred Astaire Dance Studio South Metro, and give ballroom dance a try.
Hello October!
September has come and gone, and it is officially fall in Minnesota. What do you have to look forward to during the month of October at the South Metro Fred Astaire Dance Studio? – Practice Parties and Series Group Class are moving to Monday nights. Series Group Class will start at 7pm with the Practice...
Dancing With the Stars Eliminates First Contestant
Dancing With the Stars has eliminated its first contestant. Mary Wilson and her pro, Brandon Armstrong, are the first pair out of the competition. The judges had to choose between them and Ray Lewis and his partner, Cheryl Burke. In the end, the judges saved Ray and Cheryl. Do you agree with this elimination? Both...
National Ballroom Dance Week Has Arrived!
September is the month to celebrate dance. Yesterday was National Dance Day, and all this week is National Ballroom Dance Week. USA Dance created National Ballroom Dance Week (NBDW) to increase awareness of ballroom dancing, so all week we will be talking about the physical, mental, and social benefits of ballroom dancing because we want...
You Don’t Have to Wait Anymore – Today is National Dance Day!
Today is National Dance Day! How will you be celebrating? Check out American Dance Movement’s website for more information about National Dance Day and this year’s routine (http://americandancemovement.org/national-dance-day/), or give Fred Astaire Dance Studio South Metro a call and ask how you can get started with ballroom lessons today.
Discover Your Favorite Dance: Practice Party Tonight
Do you have a favorite dance? I asked the students are Fred Astaire Dance Studio South Metro. Here are some of their answers: “I enjoy the Waltz for its elegance and movement down the floor.” – Ed “My favorite dance is the Rumba. I like the movement of it and the challenge of Latin motion.”...
Dancing With the Stars Premiers – Which Star Was Our Favorite?
Dancing with the Stars is back with its 28th season. Which stars impressed us the most in the premier? First, Hannah Brown and Alan Bersten with their Cha Cha routine. Even though Bruno warned Hannah about her turns, I thought she did really well with the amount and speed of the turns Alan led her...
And the Winner is… SYTYCD Crowns “America’s Favorite Dancer”
Monday night was full of dance with the premier of Dancing with the Stars and the finale of So You Think You Can Dance. For the past few weeks, we’ve been critiquing the ballroom routines, while guessing who would make it to the next round. Now all the guessing is done and America’s votes have...
It’s Not Too Late: Guest Party Tomorrow
Do you want to earn free lessons? Your perfect opportunity is fast approaching. Tomorrow is the Champagne Guest Party! You and your friends will be treated to professional demos, a small group class, and a little bubbly. At the end, they have to chance to sign up for our special guest introductory special. And that’s...
Dancing With the Stars Premiers Season 28 Tonight
Tonight, Dancing With the Stars begins its 28th season. The returning pros are: Brandon Armstrong, Lindsay Arnold, Alan Bersten, Cheryl Burke, Witney Carson, Val Chmerkovskiy, Sasha Farber, Jenna Johnson, Keo Motsepe, Peta Murgatroyd, Gleb Savchenko and Emma Slater. They will be joined by new pros, Daniella Karagach and Pasha Pashkov. Which celebrities will be competing...
And Then There Were Four: Who Will Win SYTYCD Season 16?
This past Monday, the Final Four dancers on So You Think You Can Dance performed for the last time before finding out who would be crowned “America’s Favorite Dancer.” Mariah, Sophie, Gino, and Bailey all danced with each other, were paired with an All-Star, and performed a solo, along with a group routine at the...
September’s Series Group Class: Quickstep!
The Quickstep, with its roots in Ragtime, was developed in the 1920’s in New York from a combination of Foxtrot, Charleston, Peabody and the One-Step. Originally it was danced solo – away from the partner, but later became a partner dance. It was originally given the name “Quick Time Fox Trot” but eventually that name...
Practice Party Tomorrow – Don’t Miss It!
It’s nearly Friday. Not only does that mean that the weekend is right around the corner… but there is a Practice Party tomorrow! Join us at 745pm at Fred Astaire Dance Studio South Metro, and we’ll start your weekend in the perfect way. With lots of dancing, of course.
Learning Multiple Dances: Incorporating Sharpness and Posture
As instructors, we are told, “I only want to learn [insert dance here],” a staggering amount. We could teach you one dance at a time, but we’d be wasting your time and money. Learning one dance and then another once you’re comfortable with the first is one of the slowest ways to learn. Let’s say...
Series Group Class and Practice Party Tonight – Don’t Miss It!
Happy Friday! What would be the perfect way to start your weekend? Come to Fred Astaire Dance Studio South Metro for Series Group Class and Practice Party of course! Series Group Class is where we focus on one dance for the entire month. We give you the basics and then add more figures each week....
Learning Multiple Dances: Incorporating Animation and Control
Would like to learn how to Salsa? Or Swing? But aren’t really interested in other styles. You should know that learning one dance at a time is one of the slowest ways to learn how to dance. At Fred Astaire Dance Studio South Metro, we focus on multiple dances because an element/technique/etc. that you use...
Tango, Waltz, and Bolero: Do I Have to Choose?
As a ballroom instructor, I frequently get asked, “What is your favorite dance?” And there is never an easy answer because it changes as I learn new figures and new techniques. So I posed this question to the students at Fred Astaire Dance Studio South Metro. Some of them were able to narrow it down...
Practice Parties and Series Group Class Are Moving Nights
It is officially September, so we have a new night for Practice Parties at the South Metro Fred Astaire Dance Studio. And we will be switching the night for our Series Group Class. Both the Series Group Class and the Practice Party will be on Friday night for the entire month of September. Series Group...
Champagne Guest Party on September 18
Did you miss August’s Guest Party? Would you still like to earn free lessons? You’re in luck. Our next Guest Party is on Wednesday, September 18 at 8pm at the South Metro Fred Astaire Dance Studio. Bring your friends. Enjoy some champagne, demonstrations, and a mini-group class. At the end of the party, your friends...
Learning Multiple Dances: Incorporating Balance
Wouldn’t it be faster to learn one dance really well before moving onto another? If you read our post about incorporating smoothness into your dancing, you know the answer: absolutely not. You will learn more in less time if you focus on more than one dance. Let’s look at Balance. This is one of the...
Two More Dancers Eliminated on SYTYCD
Another Monday has passed, which means another episode of So You Think You Can Dance has aired. After last episode, I had no idea who would be in the bottom and who would end up being sent home. Before we could find out who would make it into the Top 6, our Top 8 dancers...
How Merengue Became the National Dance of the Dominican Republic
Tonight is the last night of the Merengue Series Class at the Eagan Fred Astaire Dance Studio. What will next month’s Series Class be? You’ll have to wait to find out. Until then, here’s a bit more history about Merengue. The original merengue was most likely very European in style but, because of the African...
Last Tuesday Night Practice Party: Will You Be There?
Tonight is the night. It’s the last Tuesday in August, which means that this is your last chance to attend a Tuesday night Practice Party. We’ll pick the song and pick the dance. You’ll pick your partner and have a blast. Do you feel like you don’t know enough to attend? That’s exactly why you...
Determining Your Partner’s Comfort Zone
As a follower, it can sometimes be terrifying to dance with a new partner. Will I be able to follow their lead? Will they try and lead me through a figure I’ve never done? It can get to the point where you are trying your hardest to keep up. As the leader, part of our...
National Dance Day Moves to September
Back in 2010, Nigel Lythgoe, the producer of So You Think You Can Dance, and the Dizzy Feet Foundation established National Dance Day to celebrate all things dance. Since then, every last Saturday in July has been marked with parties, events, and an official National Dance Day routine. This year, some changes are being made....
Learning Multiple Dances: Incorporating Smoothness
As instructors, we often get asked, “Wouldn’t it be better to learn one dance really well before going on to another?” The simple answer is no. Learning one dance at a time is hardest and slowest way to learn. For example, each dance needs an element of smoothness. The best dance to accomplish smoothness is...
Top 10 Becomes Top 8 on SYTYCD
Monday night we discovered who was going home on the most recent episode of So You Think You Can Dance. But first, the dancers got to show the judges and the audience why they deserved to continue on with the competition. First up was Gino and Stephanie performing a Jive routine. It was full of...
The Stories Surrounding Merengue
Both Haiti and the Dominican Republic claim Merengue as their own. According to Haitian lore, an earlier ruler of their country had a lame son who liked to dance. In order that this beloved prince would not feel self-conscious about his affliction, the entire populace took to dancing as though they all were lame. The...
Only 4 Days Left!
Only 4 days left to get your guests together. It is some much fun to go out dancing with others who know how to dance. Create your own dancing group by inviting friends, co-workers, family and other to join you for a great night of dancing at Fred Astaire Dance Studio – South Metro for...
Cha Cha on So You Think You Can Dance
Last Monday, we were treated to our first live show of So You Think You Can Dance. The top 10 were coupled up and (at least) one person in the pair would be dancing outside their style. How’d they do? I loved Mariah and Bailey’s jazz routine and Sophie and Eddie’s jazz funk routine (although...
Ballroom Lessons: No Partner, No Problem
Do you need to have a partner to learn ballroom dance? Not at Fred Astaire Dance Studios in Eagan. We encourage everyone to take lessons, whether or not they have a partner. If you come in as one of our single students, your instructor will be your partner for private lessons. They’ll take you through...
Social Dancing: Blame it on the dance floor
Dancing socially is a wonderful experience, but as a new dancer is can be a little daunting, especially since your experience at the Eagan Fred Astaire Dance Studio can be very different from those outside of it. And sometimes that difference can be blamed on the dance floor. How? Dance floors can be too small,...
Today is the day for a Practice Party
It’s Tuesday. Do you know what that means? Today is Practice Party day! Let us pick the song and tell you what dance it is. That way, you can focus on your partner and the figures you know. We’ll be dancing Rumba, Swing, Foxtrot, and many more. And we’ll be having a blast while doing...
The Boys in So You Think You Can Dance take their turn in front of the judges
Another Monday passed, which means another episode of So You Think You Can Dance. This time the Top 10 boys performed to earn their spot in the next episode. Five guys were cut. Did our two ballroom dancers make it? Before we tackle that question, we need to talk about those three ballroom routines. (You...
This is your chance to focus on only one dance. Series Group Class on Wednesday Evenings.
At Fred Astaire Dance Studios, we believe that you can learn multiple dances in the time it takes to learn one. Why is that? Because a technique or figure from one dance can bleed over into another dance. For example, if you know how to do a twinkle in Foxtrot, you can do a twinkle...
What Do Tuesday Evenings at Fred Astaire Dance Studios – South Metro Mean.
Today is the first Tuesday of August. Do you know what that means? It’s Practice Party day! You read that correctly. For the entire month of August, Tuesday is Practice Party day at Fred Astaire Dance Studio in Eagan. Have you been looking for a time and place to practice what you’ve been learning in...
Fred Astaire Dance Studios – South Metro at US Bank Stadium
Do you love crafts, performances, and dance lessons? But you’ve never found them all in one place. This November, you are in luck. At this year’s Holiday Boutique (November 8-10), students from Fred Astaire Dance Studio in Eagan will be performing routines from various dance styles. Come cheer them on! And while you’re there, sign...
What are your instructors favorite dances?
On Monday, half of our Eagan Fred Astaire Dance Studio staff shared their favorite ballroom dances. Today, Sam and Joanna have that difficult task. From Sam If I had to choose, I’d pick Viennese Waltz and Tango. I love Viennese Waltz because of the speed and the elegance. It’s the dance that left me in...
Are you enjoying taking lessons? Do you want to take more? How about Lessons for Free!
Do you like free lessons? (That’s a silly question. Of course you do.) Would you like to learn how to earn free lessons? The answer… Guest Parties! Guest Parties give students the chance to bring their friends/family/coworkers/etc. to the Eagan Fred Astaire Dance Studio and show them how fun learning to dance can be. There’s...
The ladies have danced and the judges have made their choices. Do you agree?
This past Monday on So You Think You Can Dance, we saw our Top 10 Girls perform in a style outside their own. By the end of the night, only five girls would continue on to the live shows. We got three contemporary, two hip-hop, two jazz, and three ballroom routines! Madison and Sophie both...
Salsa. Mambo. What’s the difference? For some, it’s the same thing.
In New York, where Mambo took off in the US, dancers call their dance Mambo rather than Salsa because Tito Puente often said, “Salsa is a condiment of food. You eat salsa. You don’t listen to it.” To create more differences between their dance and salsa, they called it Mambo “on 2,” referring to the...
Join Fred Astaire Dance Studios – South Metro on Tuesday evening to practice all the dances and moves your know.
Practice parties are moving to Tuesday night in August! Practice parties are the perfect time to dust off figures for dances you don’t focus on and work out the kinks in the dances you do. For beginners, practice parties are essential to your growth as a dancer. You’re exposed to more dances, get to practice...
Twin Cities Instructors Vote on Their Favorite Dances
As a dance instructor, being asked to name your favorite style of dance is like picking a favorite child. But today, the staff at Fred Astaire Dance Studio in Eagan is going to do just that. From Chad It changes constantly. This week… Tango. Because of the passion and mysteriousness of the music. From Beth...
What is your reason for wanting to learn to dance?
In late 2011, I took my first ballroom lesson at Fred Astaire Dance Studio. I was what you think of if you had to generalize what sort of person takes ballroom lessons. I had prior dance experience. I watched dance shows and movies religiously. I went out dancing without knowing what I was doing. I...
What you see on TV is amazing but not social dancing.
With so much dance gracing our television, especially ballroom dance, many think that’s what it looks like when out socially. Which is definitely not the case. Shows like Dancing with the Stars and So You Think You Can Dance (SYTYCD) don’t teach the dancers to dance; they teach them how to perform that dance....
Ballroom dancing has a strong presence in So You Think You Can Dance top 20
At Fred Astaire Dance Studio in Eagan, we love So You Think You Can Dance. This past Monday night, they unveiled their top 10 boys and top 10 girls. In previous seasons, the top 20 has been heavily filled with contemporary dancers. But, this year, half of the top 10 girls and two of...
The year is 1943. Havana, Cuba, La Tropicana nightclub
Musician Perez Prado has come up with a new dance to go along with his music, which he calls Mambo. He leaves Havana, moves to Mexico and then to New York City. Along the way, he changes his style to appeal to American listeners. By 1947, mambo has been introduced to popular dance spots,...
Top 10 Revealed Tonight
Tonight is the night! So You Think You Can Dance (SYTYCD) will reveal which dancers made the top 10 and which dancers will have to try again next year. We’ve seen some amazing dancers so far, but who has what it takes? If you’ve never watched the show before, SYTYCD pushes each dancer to their...
Fastest Way to Learn to dance (Practice Parties)
Adding practice parties, on top of group classes and private lessons, can improve your dancing drastically. Practice parties are held weekly at the studio, and – as the name implies – is the perfect time to practice everything you’ve learned in group classes and private lessons. We turn down the lights, turn up the music,...
Want to learn how to dance fast? This is what you should do.
Want to learn how to dance ballroom? You might think that having private lessons with an instructor would be the quickest way, but that’s not entirely true. Yes, private lessons do give you the chance to move at your own pace and have personalized attention, but adding group classes and practice parties will help you...
Shall We Dance?
You’ve seen it on television. You’ve heard others talk about the styles and famous performers. But you’ve debated whether you want to try it. Ballroom Dance. Everyone has a different reason for finally taking the plunge. What will yours be? Do you want to find a new community? One that builds inside and outside of...
Has Ballroom Dance Gained Popularity Because of TV?
The short answer? Yes. It has. Back in 2005, Dancing with the Stars premiered its first season. Three years later, So You Think You Can Dance began its first season. Since then, dance studios have seen an influx of students eager to learn what they’ve been seeing on TV. The longer answer? Yes. And no....
Ever been interested in trying Mambo? Visit us at the South Metro Studio
No other dance from south of the (U.S.) border has ever attained the instantaneous popularity then the zestful mambo did when it was first introduced from Latin America. The extent of the mambo’s reach can be observed by the widespread use of its rhythm in different tempo songs. Love ballads were written to a slow...
July Series Group Class
New SERIES GROUP CLASS begins JULY 3RD at 7:00 PM. Series Group class is a wonderful way to be introduced to the minor dances that you hear about at the practice party but have not had time to learn. We start with the basic patterns on the first Wednesday of every month. The following Wednesdays in that...
Dance Spotlight: The Jive!
One of the beauties of ballroom dance is that a once-popular style never needs to go away. It can continue in its original form, or it can grow and change and remain a fixture among savvy dancers. Which brings us to Jive. Once upon a time, this lively style of dance was known as the...
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...
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...
A Simple Guide to the 10 Traditional Dances of Ballroom Dance
If you are interested in ballroom dance but don’t know where to begin, then there’s only one place to start: beginner dance classes at Fred Astaire Dance Studios. Learning the most widely known partner dances can make you a star in any social gathering, and bring some fun and culture to your life at the...
How To Tell The Difference Between Popular Types Of Latin Dances
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...
Where To Take Your Dance Routine For Vacation
Fred Astaire Dance Studio students work diligently to perfect their steps on the dance floor, to master the dances they learn – and have fun along the way. They come to our partice parties and our outings, they dance, they meet others who share that passion for dancing. But there’s a big world out there, and...
6 Ballroom Dances Sure To Turn Up the Heat This Winter
Dancing is a great way to reignite the flame with your partner and these six styles of dance are sure to keep you warm this winter! Remember, ballroom dancing is a chance to do a little makeover on yourself. Feeling confident makes you feel more desirable – and frankly, how could you not be, with...
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
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...
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,...
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...