Want to learn ballroom dancing?
Samba (the best rhythm and music) +
With a partner (the best way to dance!)
=
The best ever!
Starting this Thursday (October 1st) I’ll be offering a ballroom dance series at the Decathlon Club in Santa Clara. It will be 4 weeks of how to dance samba with a partner. If you’ve never done samba or never danced with a partner before that’s fine, we will start at the very beginning. But over the course of four weeks you will progress through the basic patterns and into some fun and exciting variations.
You do not need to be a member of Decathlon to join, just email “Jenny Rowe” <jrowe at courtsideclub dot com> to register.
Every week we meet from 8-9 pm for lesson, and then we practice, I answer questions and work individually with people, etc. from 9-9:30 pm. It’s generally a nice, small group so you get all your questions answered!
You do not need a partner to join, we generally have both singles and couples in class.
See you soon!
Anna
Partner Salsa dancing videos
Hey Salsa Dancers!
Hope you’ve been enjoying our classes so far – you guys have learned a ton in just two classes! We’ll do lots of review to make sure it all sticks. Here are some videos from the first class – hope they help with review. I’ll make sure we tape the other steps this week in class.
Here’s a walk through of the basic steps:
And here are the steps with some music:
See you Thursday at 8 pm for more salsa – and remember next month is tango, so sign up now to save your spot!
Swing dance review
Hi Decathlon Dancers!
It was great working with you during the month of July – I hope you had a fun time learning different kinds of swing. We covered quite a lot, single time swing:
with lots of side, side, rock steps. This is a review of all the different steps we did for single time swing, categorized by which hand position it begins with. Thanks to my demo buddies for being brave!
triple time swing (also called East Coast swing):
with lots of triple step, triple step, rock step. We did get into a few variations (like the mooch) that change this rhythmic pattern, but for the most part if the lady follows the basic rhythm it will all work out! I also talked a little about what the hips and ribs should do for the proper “body action” for triple step swing, see here:
this body action can help the leader communicate to the follow when and where to go. And it can make your swing look better, too!
and even a little West Coast swing:
I can’t believe you guys learned so much in just 30 minutes of West Coast Swing!! This is a great dance but takes a sensitive connection to make it feel good, so ladys – make sure you’re moving all the way into the push and pull, and leaders, use your body weight instead of your arms to move yourself and give her directions.
I’m looking forward to seeing you next week for salsa!
Let me know if you have any questions left over about these swing steps – see you soon.
Intermediate Swing Steps
July is rolling along and we’re doing a lot of new swing steps in our Decathlon class.
Here are the intermediate steps we’ve covered:
Note that because the class is a small group, I am able to tailor the steps to each person or couple in class. There are some dancers who are new to swing who are not learning these steps yet. But because we have a small group and an hour and a half to work with, I can also give these steps to the more intermediate level dancers.
Next month will be salsa – sign up with Jenny now!
Welcome Waltz Dancers!
I’m really glad you’ve decided to join me for Decathlon’s June Ballroom dance series. I think in these four weeks of waltz class you will all get a chance to master the basics of American Smooth style waltz as well as learn some more intermediate variations.
Here’s a few videos of the steps we did in class last week (please excuse my lack of fancy dress – I just finished a hip hop class!).
Gentlemen’s steps, broken down:
Gentlemen’s steps, with music:
Lady’s steps, broken down:
Lady’s steps, with music:
Looking forward to seeing you tonight for more waltzing!
Dance World Live – Bollywood Performance Class!
Lights… Costume… Dancing!!
If you’ve always wanted a chance to perform, join me for “Dance World Live”! This cool new class at the Decathlon Club will begin in June (you do not need to be a member of Decathlon to join us).
Each month the group will learn a new choreography in one style from somewhere in the world – specially choreographed just for you. We will start with Bollywood in June – a medley of top hit songs from famous movies. After 4 weeks of rehearsing it will be time to perform, complete with costumes!
Because we will have dancers at different levels, there may be chances for more intermediate / advanced dancers to learn special small group and solo sections. So beginning dancers – feel free to join the class, you will have simple but fun steps to master. More experienced dancers, join up too – you will have a special class time on Saturday June 6th (or various Thursdays) to learn your solo / small group parts!
In June we will meet on Tuesday nights at 8 pm. The performance will be on June 28th in the evening and will feature special guest bellydance stars as well as our performance!
The class will cost only $75 – and you will have access to special videos, music, and instruction notes. Costume costs are not included in the class fee. Please email “jrowe at courtsideclub.com” to register.
Each month will feature a new dance style from Around the World – bellydance, Irish dance, tango… it’s going to be very exciting. And you will certainly get your exercise while practicing and having a great time.
Feel free to bring friends to join the class – it’s much more fun performing with your friends. You will learn a lot and get a chance to show off with friends and family.
Bollywood Class at Decathlon
Bollywood Dancers!
You’ve been asking for an all Bollywood class, and here it is:
Every other Friday, 10 am, at the Decathlon Club in Santa Clara. You don’t need to be a member to come to class – just pay the drop in and come dance!
We start our first time this Friday – hope to see you then!
We’ll be dancing to Nach Baliye, Jai Ho, Love Mera Hit Hit, and Latoo. Super fun songs, great steps from the movies, a good workout (especially for the arms too – some of the Latin dancing doesn’t give you as much arm workout – but Bollywood is great for toning your arms).
And for all out there who think that Bollywood is a little too cheezy – check those recent videos – like Khwab Dekhe or Lucky Boy. They have choreography that would make Britney Spears or the Pussycat Dolls proud.
New Ballroom Format at Decathlon Club
If you would like to learn some ballroom dancing, come on out to Decathlon Club on Thursday evenings at 8 pm. For the past year we’ve been offering beginning level sampler series.
However, in June we are changing the format of the class. Each month will feature one dance style. You’ll have 4 or 5 weeks to work on just that dance, with lots of time to learn cool steps, review old steps, and over all “get it”!
I think this is really going to help beginning dancers turn into intermediate level dancers, and for intermediate dancers to have somewhere to grow as well!
June we will be doing waltz (got to get ready for all those summer weddings).
July we will be learning swing (All American dance for the 4rth of July).
August will feature salsa (Hot dance for a hot month).
Please email me if you would like to register, space is limited. You do not need a partner or ballroom dance experience to join the class. If you register at least one week ahead of time, I will make sure the class is gender balanced (ie I will bring in extra female or male students to balance an imbalance we have).
This is a great opportunity to have some fun, learn some cool dance steps, and meet some new friends at the Decathlon Club. You do not need to be a member of the Club to enjoy this class! So bring your friends – all are welcome!
