This year is a little different......the Advanced Class has been doing 4 weeks of each dance for about 3 years now and really seem to love it. Guess they have been extolling the virtues of that extra time, because this year for the first time my 2 Intermediate classes are also trying the 4-week format. By the time you get to these levels you are officially "hooked on dance" and committed to learning. I think everyone will see the benefit by the end of the year, but we are having to squeeze in classes because of the holidays. Thanks to everyone for pulling together and getting it done!!
And since the holidays are fast approaching.......please don't forget that a great gift idea for any dancer is a new pair of dance shoes. Try Saratoga Dance or you can order shoes online. I ordered shoes from a company in CA and wasn't pleased. Try a company a little closer and see if you have better luck. Tic Tac Toe is always popular, and any dance supply store will carry jazz shoes or character shoes. This is a good option for anyone buying dance shoes for the first time, since the investment is smaller than from the well-known ballroom dance shoe suppliers. I even have students who have ordered shoes from Old Pueblo Traders and were very pleased. You'll notice that many of the dancers come in to class with dance sneakers, especially made for ballroom class. Not too stylish to wear to a dance, but perfect for practicing in class ---- just make sure they have suede on the bottom. You have many many options.
AND --- for family or friends who would like to try dance for the first time, I have Gift Certificates available. Beginners Class resumes Friday, January 7th at 7 pm. Or give them a private hour of instruction......up to you!!
Other Gift Ideas and Stocking Stuffers:
A new shoe tote, personalized water bottle to bring to class, shoe brush, heel caps for those expensive dance shoes, dance tees, a journal for dance notes, and of course CD's. Men take note --- we ladies love to twirl and a skirt that flows is always appreciated!!! The Black Tie Dinner Dance is coming up in a couple months ---- how about a gift certificate for a new dress? With the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, sometimes the best thing is a quiet evening at home......how about an IOU for a Romantic Evening of Dinner and Dancing? Make his favorite meal and serve it by candlelight, roll up the rug, and dance to some of your favorite songs.
Hope this has helped give you ideas for your own special someone.......wishing you the warmest of holidays!!!! Peace and Joy to all.......Jan
Monday, December 20, 2010
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
That Ole Rhumba (OR Rumba)
The other day I received a phone call from a couple interested in starting dance lessons. When I told him we'd be doing Rhumba & Cha Cha, he said the names should be changed because they sound like "old dances". Well yeah, they've been around for awhile, and I guess to a non-dancer Salsa sounds more contemporary. Salsa is just Mambo re-worked and is probably the dance everyone thinks of when you say "Latin". Good, glad that Salsa sounds like fun!
The Beginners Level-1 Group is finishing up Merengue this week, while everyone else is working on Rhumba. Merengue is so much fun, and so easy it is a great introduction to Latin, and a great confidence builder for people new to dance. Absolutely anyone can mange to do Merengue and have fun on the floor with this party dance. The strong beat of the music is like a march anyone can hear and almost anything goes in Merengue. Going on a cruise? This is a great dance to know!
Rhumba is the slower, romantic Latin dance. It became popular in the US in the late 30's and 40's, but at that time was a faster dance. Rhumba is related to all kinds of Latin rhythms, like Guaguanco, Bolero, and yes --- Salsa. Contemporary dancers do Bolero, or the International version of Rhumba called "Rumba-Bolero", or Social Rhumba. International dancers like their music slow (or else extremely fast --- like Jive & Quickstep), but we Social dancers like a rhumba with a slightly faster tempo or it can feel draggy to us. We like a Rhumba with a little more kick. Michael Buble has some pretty rhumbas you can practice to --- or if you're into oldies, try the Drifters.
Because it's a slower dance, this is the dance that will really help the men to develop good clear Latin leads (like for a 5th position break) and get started using Latin motion. Latin motion is a personal thing......some people will take to it easily, others will have a difficult time adding this styling. American men have a harder time with it, but believe me, you'll look sexier on the dance floor and your hips won't overdo it --- you're just not built the same way, Guys!! Getting used to dancing that "Slow-quick-quick" rhythm consistently will make it easier when you finally start learning Salsa --- which we count "quick-quick-slow".
And what about that other old dance, Cha Cha? You'll get used to dancing to a faster tempo, but be practicing many of the same leads (and follow techniques) that you were using for Rhumba. Cha Cha puts a lot of footwork into the Latin rhythm because of syncopation. It's been around since the 50's, but is definitely a dance you can use almost anywhere. Got a wedding to attend? Listen to the music and you'll find lots of contemporary artists singing to a Cha Cha rhythm. Gotta learn to Cha, just gotta.
And once you've learned Rhumba and gotten that Cha Cha syncopation, you'll have a much easier time dealing with the faster Salsa music. Everyone wants to learn to Salsa, but most people have a hard time keeping up with the music. That's why it's better to learn some fundamental movements in Rhumba and Cha Cha before you try tackling Salsa. Everything happens faster in Salsa --- men need to feel comfortable and at home with the leads and understand the timing, while women need to keep tone (resistance) and react to leads that are coming fast and furious. You want to have fun doing Salsa, not feel overwhelmed or confused.
Each dance has its own flavor and you will come to love and appreciate each for its unique take on Latin. Hey, salt and pepper have been around a lot longer and we would all feel deprived if we couldn't grab that shaker!! So don't limit your dance palate either --- and go out there and shake your bon-bon!!
The Beginners Level-1 Group is finishing up Merengue this week, while everyone else is working on Rhumba. Merengue is so much fun, and so easy it is a great introduction to Latin, and a great confidence builder for people new to dance. Absolutely anyone can mange to do Merengue and have fun on the floor with this party dance. The strong beat of the music is like a march anyone can hear and almost anything goes in Merengue. Going on a cruise? This is a great dance to know!
Rhumba is the slower, romantic Latin dance. It became popular in the US in the late 30's and 40's, but at that time was a faster dance. Rhumba is related to all kinds of Latin rhythms, like Guaguanco, Bolero, and yes --- Salsa. Contemporary dancers do Bolero, or the International version of Rhumba called "Rumba-Bolero", or Social Rhumba. International dancers like their music slow (or else extremely fast --- like Jive & Quickstep), but we Social dancers like a rhumba with a slightly faster tempo or it can feel draggy to us. We like a Rhumba with a little more kick. Michael Buble has some pretty rhumbas you can practice to --- or if you're into oldies, try the Drifters.
Because it's a slower dance, this is the dance that will really help the men to develop good clear Latin leads (like for a 5th position break) and get started using Latin motion. Latin motion is a personal thing......some people will take to it easily, others will have a difficult time adding this styling. American men have a harder time with it, but believe me, you'll look sexier on the dance floor and your hips won't overdo it --- you're just not built the same way, Guys!! Getting used to dancing that "Slow-quick-quick" rhythm consistently will make it easier when you finally start learning Salsa --- which we count "quick-quick-slow".
And what about that other old dance, Cha Cha? You'll get used to dancing to a faster tempo, but be practicing many of the same leads (and follow techniques) that you were using for Rhumba. Cha Cha puts a lot of footwork into the Latin rhythm because of syncopation. It's been around since the 50's, but is definitely a dance you can use almost anywhere. Got a wedding to attend? Listen to the music and you'll find lots of contemporary artists singing to a Cha Cha rhythm. Gotta learn to Cha, just gotta.
And once you've learned Rhumba and gotten that Cha Cha syncopation, you'll have a much easier time dealing with the faster Salsa music. Everyone wants to learn to Salsa, but most people have a hard time keeping up with the music. That's why it's better to learn some fundamental movements in Rhumba and Cha Cha before you try tackling Salsa. Everything happens faster in Salsa --- men need to feel comfortable and at home with the leads and understand the timing, while women need to keep tone (resistance) and react to leads that are coming fast and furious. You want to have fun doing Salsa, not feel overwhelmed or confused.
Each dance has its own flavor and you will come to love and appreciate each for its unique take on Latin. Hey, salt and pepper have been around a lot longer and we would all feel deprived if we couldn't grab that shaker!! So don't limit your dance palate either --- and go out there and shake your bon-bon!!
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