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 the Benefits of Dance in Twin Cities

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It’s true! Start ballroom dance lessons, and you’ll get so much more in return than just learning to dance!

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...

Looking to Hire Fun, High Energy People to Join our Team

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Looking for a new career? Admire the Pros on Dancing With The Stars? Fred Astaire Dance Studios is your answer. We are looking for people to train to instruct ladies, gentlemen and couples. Outgoing, energetic, dedicated individuals with great communication skills and initiative. You can have unlimited earning opportunities and travel opportunities. Does this sound...

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!...

Practice: When and How to Do It

As a dancer, our biggest help and our biggest hurdle is practice. When do we do it? For how long? What if our space isn’t big enough? There are so many things in our lives that can prevent us from practicing, even when we know that we cannot grow as dancers without it. So how...

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?

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

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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

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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!

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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...

National Ballroom Dance Week: Dancing and Improving Memory

National Ballroom Dance Week is nearing its end, but that does not mean we’re done talking about all the benefits that come with learning how to ballroom dance. Would you like to improve your memory? Learning to dance can do that. Any type of exercise can increase the part of the brain that declines with...

National Ballroom Dance Week: Dancing and Confidence

Dancing has shown to increase self-confidence and self-esteem by providing an expressive outlet and the opportunity to learn something new and fun! Whether it’s through toning muscles, mastering a new move, or just building up the courage to ask a new person to dance, dancing provides many avenues for boosting self confidence. New students might...

National Ballroom Dance Week: Dancing and Making Friends

Have you been looking for a way to meet new people? While private lessons are just you, your partner, and your instructor, group classes and practice parties give you an opportunity to meet other students. Fred Astaire Dance Studio South Metro also offers other activities for you to meet new people, like Monte Carlo Night...

National Ballroom Dance Week: Dancing and Reducing Stress

Stressed out? Have you tried dancing? Any type of physical activity releases endorphins, which help to relieve stress. And dancing is an enjoyable way to do just that. Lessons can take your mind off your worries and put a smile on your face. There is a reason why many people call their dance studio their...

National Ballroom Dance Week: Dancing and Losing Weight

It’s National Ballroom Dance Week, so we’ll be sharing some of the benefits you can gain from learning ballroom dance. Have you been looking for a way to lose weight? Try dance! Not only can dancing be great for burning calories, but it can increase endurance, tone muscle, and introduce you to like-minded people. Would...

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

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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

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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...

How Merengue Became the National Dance of the Dominican Republic

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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?

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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...

Monte Carlo Night at South Metro Fred Astaire

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Are you feeling lucky? In two short months (on Saturday, October 26), we’ll be transforming the Fred Astaire Dance Studio in Eagan into a casino for our annual Monte Carlo Night. Food will be catered in. Attendees will be dressed to the nines. Everyone will leave with a prize. Want more information on how to...

Determining Your Partner’s Comfort Zone

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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...

Cha Cha on So You Think You Can Dance

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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

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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

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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,...

Why Do You Dance? Why Not These 10 Health Benefits

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Why do you dance? Is it for the community? Is it for quality time with your partner? Or is it for the numerous health benefits? Check out this article for the author’s Top 10 Health Benefits to be gained from ballroom dance. https://www.healthfitnessrevolution.com/top-10-health-benefits-ballroom-dancing/ The author details how dancing can improve muscle tone, is easier on...

The Boys in So You Think You Can Dance take their turn in front of the judges

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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.

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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.

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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...

Are you enjoying taking lessons? Do you want to take more? How about Lessons for Free!

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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?

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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.

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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...

What is your reason for wanting to learn to dance?

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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.

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  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

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  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

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  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,...

Let dance do the talking for you and express yourself

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Dance has so many benefits, and now therapists are beginning to use dance movement with their clients. Their goal is to create a safe space where movement can help them improve their clients’ physical and mental health. They teach their clients that the mind and body are interconnected, and movement can be used as a...

Top 10 Revealed Tonight

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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...

Shall We Dance?

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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?

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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....

Why Dance Is The Best Workout

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As dancers, we like to toot our own horns from time to time. When you’re passionate about your hobby, it’s easy to go on and on about how wonderful it is. But we have science to back up our claims about why dance is the best. A study done by the University of Brighton shows...

Join us out on the town at our After Dark

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Have you wanted to go out dancing but haven’t? Maybe you’re nervous you’ll forget what you’ve learned or you don’t know anyone who would want to go dancing with you. We have your solution! It’s called After Dark. We shut down the studio for the night and go out dancing in the community. You’d be...

Ever been interested in trying Mambo? Visit us at the South Metro Studio

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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...

Practice Party July 7/10/19

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Did you know the Twin Cities has lots of great places to go dancings?  Practice Parties are a great benefit to all students.  They prepare you for dancing in social settings.   We have a fabulous time in a party-like atmosphere where you’ll dance and network with fellow students and other Professionals.  Students learn together,...

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...