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Thinking About Taking A Dance Class? - 9/20/2008 8:58:39 AM
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humbleinspirit
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Ok, I have been pondering for a long while now taking a dance class such as Tap Dancing. I have thought of other dance classes too such as believe it or not Ballet, but also Hip Hop, Swing, Ballroom, etc. For those who have taken these classes before, I was just wondering what I need to know before taking any of these classes, etc. Thank you in advance for your help!
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RE: Thinking About Taking A Dance Class? - 9/20/2008 9:45:39 AM
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car2ner
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Swing dance may be a good choice... lively, fun, college's will often have offer swing dancing with a free hour or half hour lesson before the dance begins. Good time to try it out.
Wear soft soled comfortable shoes that have a bit of slide to them.
IF you can find Contra Dancing, that is a blast. They also usually offer an hour freebee lesson so that you can try it out. They usually have live bands playing, too. And there is no need to bring a partner to many contra dances.
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"May your days be long and your hardships few".
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RE: Thinking About Taking A Dance Class? - 9/20/2008 9:49:17 AM
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humbleinspirit
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Hi Car2ner, now what exactly is Contra Dancing? They do have it in my area, but never have checked it out at all though.
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RE: Thinking About Taking A Dance Class? - 9/21/2008 12:18:17 PM
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car2ner
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It is like a combination between line dancing and square dancing and a lot of fun. A great mixer. You start with a partner and dance a couple of steps, then you dance a few steps with your neighbor, then back to your partner, then to the next neighbor, then back to your partner, then down the line to the following neighbor, etc. After each dance they ask you to switch partners. By the end of the evening you could have met and danced with everyone in the room. If you get to watch the dance from up above, it looks like a giant kaleidoscope.
here is the website for the group in Atlanta. I know that there are groups in New England because that is where it originated, which is ironic for me. I never heard of it while I lived there.
www.contradance.org
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"May your days be long and your hardships few".
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RE: Thinking About Taking A Dance Class? - 9/27/2008 3:43:41 PM
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humbleinspirit
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Thanks for the info Car2ner!
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RE: Thinking About Taking A Dance Class? - 9/27/2008 10:07:36 PM
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StraightAhead
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If you live near Boston, you should definitely check out http://www.hoptothebeat.com/ for swing (lindy hop) lessons! It is a cool social dance! You don't need a partner to participate. The important thing is to simply get started!
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RE: Thinking About Taking A Dance Class? - 9/27/2008 10:18:37 PM
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humbleinspirit
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Thank you StraightAhead for the links!
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RE: Thinking About Taking A Dance Class? - 9/28/2008 1:25:33 AM
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PopsiLufsJesus
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I have to be honest. I opened this thread because I saw thinking of taking dance lessons and then it was your thread Mike.... I never could have pictured you in dancing, but most people couldn't picture me that way either, and I would love to do it... However, I can not be of much help to you hear. Hope you find the information that you are looking for though :)
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"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer."
~ Romans 12:12
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RE: Thinking About Taking A Dance Class? - 9/28/2008 5:16:41 AM
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humbleinspirit
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Thank you Popsi, well you just never know. I think that Ballroom dancing would not be all that far fetched at all.
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RE: Thinking About Taking A Dance Class? - 9/28/2008 8:03:06 AM
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PopsiLufsJesus
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Not at all, hope you can find what you are looking for, have a good Sunday Mike.
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"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer."
~ Romans 12:12
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RE: Thinking About Taking A Dance Class? - 9/28/2008 9:26:06 AM
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humbleinspirit
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Thanks Popsi! So no artistic dance for me such as Tap Dancing then?
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RE: Thinking About Taking A Dance Class? - 9/28/2008 2:35:47 PM
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PopsiLufsJesus
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if you want I guess... go for it
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"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer."
~ Romans 12:12
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RE: Thinking About Taking A Dance Class? - 9/28/2008 2:36:32 PM
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humbleinspirit
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I am still thinking about it, I am still a bit on the heavy side these days and I am sure that the dancers would be fit instead!
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RE: Thinking About Taking A Dance Class? - 9/28/2008 3:45:30 PM
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PopsiLufsJesus
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Well perhaps it would help you to be more fit, or maybe you could work out and join dance?
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"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer."
~ Romans 12:12
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RE: Thinking About Taking A Dance Class? - 9/28/2008 5:26:17 PM
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car2ner
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ah, I have some well endowed friends who dance contra and swing.. and one of them swings Very Well. It is good for you.
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"May your days be long and your hardships few".
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RE: Thinking About Taking A Dance Class? - 10/1/2008 11:26:16 PM
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humbleinspirit
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Now if I could just overcome my shyness in a crowd of strangers.
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RE: Thinking About Taking A Dance Class? - 10/5/2008 12:24:53 AM
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StraightAhead
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During group lessons, everyone is in the same spot, meaning I'm sure you are not alone in your feelings. It's not like you're performing in front of anyone at all! Everyone is learning just like you!
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RE: Thinking About Taking A Dance Class? - 10/5/2008 12:26:06 AM
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humbleinspirit
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Thanks Straightahead!
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RE: Thinking About Taking A Dance Class? - 10/10/2008 7:48:32 AM
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car2ner
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Yup, you will all be sharing nervous sweat. In the dance community, MOST people remember when they were new and like to help beginners. Granted, there are exceptions to this in any people group. My sister in NH goes dancing now and then and would like to have more chaps to dance with.
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"May your days be long and your hardships few".
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RE: Thinking About Taking A Dance Class? - 10/12/2008 1:44:58 AM
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humbleinspirit
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Now I just worry about seasoned dancers who are taking a new class. Then I worry about both being out of shape and my weight also.
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RE: Thinking About Taking A Dance Class? - 10/22/2008 9:10:06 PM
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Bobby
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Dance can be fun. I've taken an adult jazz class at a major studio in the area and enjoy the fellowship of my teammates -- most of whom are very active in their churches and we have so much fun I can't say what happens with the teammates.
Last season we worked on our competition routine (yes, the adult team competes and we have opposition), and when it came to costuming I took a cue from what the girls were wearing and I had to wear matching clothes -- and to reflect the 1950's look I added a black necktie to match the ladies' scarves. Some understood it, while others did not. It was cheesy -- and some of it turned hilarious!
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RE: Thinking About Taking A Dance Class? - 10/25/2008 4:12:14 PM
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humbleinspirit
Posts: 17763
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From: Just Outside of Boston
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quote:
ORIGINAL: car2ner
Quit worrying and go dancing... dancing will be a lot more fun then your worrying. 
Once I have the funds I probably will. I hope I can just wear regular street clothes though. I do know that I will not be able to wear sneakers.
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RE: Thinking About Taking A Dance Class? - 11/10/2008 11:50:32 PM
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SlipperyWhenWet
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I started Swing dancing some 10 years ago (I keep telling people it was 5 years, but it's probably 10 now) and I'm so glad I decided to give it a chance. As mentioned already, you'll likely be able to find some local lessons that don't cost you an arm-and-a-leg. Actually, I'd say that you should avoid taking Swing lessons at a dance studio that specializes in ballroom dancing as most people who are good at ballroom are way too stiff and proper for Swing ;)
Another advantage of Swing dancing, at least if you're single, is that it's a social dance in that you may not dance with the same partner all night which means you don't really have to worry about arriving at the dance with a partner. Note, however, that if you get hooked like I did, having a consistent dance partner that you can practice with really helps you improve.
As for shoes, I recommend looking at bowling shoes. I got mine for $35 and they look like suede sneakers with leather soles and a rubber heal. Obviously, you don't want to wear such a shoe on the streets or you'll ruin them. If you can't find any bowling shoes you like, many shoe stores will add "chromed leather" to the soles of your shoes for a reasonable price... then you can dance in just about anything.
I personally think that starting with tap dancing might be a good idea, especially if you're new to dancing. Even after Swing dancing for 10 years, I could certainly use some discipline for my feet  .
If you're not sure if Swing is for you, well, experiment with various dances and see which one fits you best... I don't think you can go wrong with any dance as it's a great hobby that will stay with you for a lifetime if you choose.
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Sincerely,
Todd
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RE: Thinking About Taking A Dance Class? - 11/11/2008 3:38:47 PM
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Grace-N-Mercy
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I'm just finding this thread. Mike, I didn't know you were thinking about taking classes! That's awesome!! Have you found a place to go yet?
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