Now & Then Dance Studios

History of the Dances Part 7

2011-04-13T19:04:00.000-07:00

Okay everyone, I am sure you all are busy getting ready to finish your taxes in time for Friday's deadline, and I want to remind you to celebrate with us at our fun-filled Tax Party afterward. It will be a great chance to dance - especially since we are closed on Monday April 18th for Passover. After we all make it through the holidays, then it's time for the Gourmet Party at the end of the month. Also, don't forget to mark your calendars for May 13th and 14th for our Grand Re-Opening Party at our Silver Spring Studio. This special occasion is not to be missed!

Tonight's dance brings the final installment of our history of the dances. We are about to explore the somewhat scandalous origins of Tango. A long, long time ago in Argentina, cowboys (or gauchos) would walk around a campfire to the music of an accordion. As they walked around the campfire, they would make movements with their whips. Later on, women replaced the whips. Soon after, Tango was considered too sensual and was outlawed. Since Tango could no longer be danced publicly, it was mostly danced in bordellos in Argentina for a while. From there it was imported to France, and from there it was imported to America as the dance we know and enjoy currently.

I hope you have all enjoyed getting to know a little bit more about the dances we all enjoy so much!

History of the Dances Part 6

2011-04-06T17:08:00.000-07:00

We are entering some really exciting times. As Spring Showcase came to a close, we look forward to extremely fun parties coming up in the near future. As we celebrate the Grand Re-Opening of our Silver Spring studio in May, we urge you all to join us for a party there! And now, here is the dance history of Merengue and Samba that you have all been waiting for.

Merengue is originally from Columbia, the Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico. Depending on the region, the speed ranges from really slow to really fast. The faster the music gets, the more the patterns are danced in circles and are without too many variations to the dance. All patterns are done in counts of eight. The word "Mer" means water in French, and Merengue is designed to give a feeling of buoyancy that you get in water.

Samba comes from Brazil. It has many different styles that are danced in different regions of Brazil. This is because the folk music is different for each region. The Samba danced in Brazil does not resemble American Samba. Samba was introduced to America by a woman named Carmen Miranda in the 1950's.

Next time will be our final installment of the history of dances. I look forward to sharing with you all the somewhat scandalous history of Tango. As the weather gets better, I wonder if there's any such thing as outdoor places to dance? What are your favorite places to dance (either indoor or outdoor)? I'm working on a longer-term project of good local places to dance at, so if you have any suggestions please share with me. Stay tuned for more!

History of the Dances Part 5

2011-03-17T06:40:00.000-07:00

Happy St. Patrick's Day! I hope you all remembered to wear green! And if you see someone that is not wearing green, don't forget to pinch them! The excitement is definitely in the air as we are only one week away from the Showcase Preview Party on Friday March 25th, and the main event itself on Sunday March 27th! All the routines that everyone has worked so hard on to perfect are going to be incredible to watch! I'm also going to enjoy seeing everyone who is not performing out on the dance floor still dancing their best and having fun with family and friends!

This week I would like to share with you the origins of Cha Cha, Mambo, and Rumba. Mambo is Cuban in origin. Now, who among us does not remember Ricky Ricardo from the hit t.v. show "I Love Lucy"?! Well, the one and only, Ricky Ricardo, is responsible for bringing Mambo to the United States. Mambo is twice faster than Cha Cha. Since Americans could not feel the beat from Mambo, they invented Cha Cha. Cha Cha is an American dance, but is Cuban in origin from around the late 1950's. Rumba is also Cuban in origin and is the Cuban equivalent to American slow dancing. It is also considered to be a wedding dance.

Next week we shall review the origins of Merengue and Samba. Don't forget all the fun events we have planned for you are coming up soon! For example, in April we have a Tax Party, and a Spotlight Party will be held at our Falls Church, Virginia studio. As always, if you have any questions, comments, or concerns, I always encourage letting us know - either online or in person! Have a great week everyone!

History of the Dances Part 4

2011-02-24T19:41:00.000-08:00

Ladies and gentlemen, I'm proud to announce the first group class and practice party being held in the brand new, recently relocated Silver Spring studio! It is taking place tomorrow night starting at 8pm. I look forward to seeing you there! For now, as promised, I want to give you some background for Disco.

Right around the time television came out, big bands died along with dancing in big ballrooms. Then .45's came out and the big thing was to dance in smaller nightclubs to recorded music. At some point in the 1960's Chubby Checker introduced The Twist, which was the birth of freeform dancing (a form of Disco). Dancing was done mostly in nightclubs without a partner. In the mid-1970's Hustle was born, and like with Swing, every day a new dance was coming out. New dances kept evolving, and eventually melted into Sling. Sling was created by dance teachers - a combination of Swing, Cha Cha, and Samba. When Hustle came out and was still going through transformations, it was first called Hustle, then Double Hustle, Latin Hustle, Rope, and finally Sling.

Next week we will learn about the origins of Cha Cha, Mambo, and Rumba. Until then, have a great week filled with dancing! I can't wait to see what you all bring to the gourmet party tomorrow! Also, don't forget that the Showcase Preview Party is coming up at the last Friday in March and all three studios will be joined at our Rockville location!

History of the Dances Part 3

2011-02-17T18:35:00.000-08:00

Hi there folks! I hope everyone had a great Valentine's Day and that you got to spend it dancing with your loved ones! I know I certainly enjoyed dancing with you all at our special Valentine's Day Party last Friday! While last week we explored the European origins of Waltz and Polka, this week I would like to bring us a bit more local in exploring the origins of Swing.

Swing is American, and is the only "all-American" dance. It comes from Fox Trot. What happened was a man named Benny Goodman took Fox Trot and made it more upbeat. This paved the way for Swing to evolve from the changes Goodman made to Fox Trot. I bet you did not know that Swing has a ton of different names and styles - though they all fall under the generic name of Swing. Some of these include: Lindy, Jitterbug, Jive, East Coast Swing, West Coast Swing, and Hand Dancing. D.C. Swing is pretty much the same as West Coast Swing. The international style of Swing is called Jive. We teach East Coast Swing (which also includes Triple Swing and Single Swing). Swing is so fun and versatile that it has grown in popularity amongst all generations of dancers!

I am looking forward to sharing next week's fun dance with you! We will go beyond the most commonly thought of movie associated with the dance (Saturday Night Fever), and find out the origins of Disco! Until then, I look forward to seeing you at the studio! Also, just a quick reminder to ask your teacher for details about our Showcase (held on Sunday March 27th at The Golden Bull in Gaithersburg, MD) or call us at 301-424-0007 for details.

History of the Dances Part 2

2011-02-10T20:19:00.000-08:00

I'm glad everyone is surviving this crazy weather! It is incredible how no matter what the weather is like, you all persevere in your dancing, whether it is for your private lessons, group lessons, or practice parties, you all manage to brave the elements! Speaking of elements, last week we were enlightened as to the historical elements of Fox Trot. This week I would like to delve into some background of Waltz and Polka.

The incredibly fun dance of Polka has two different versions. There is Polish Polka and German Polka - neither of which acknowledges the other. The main difference between the two types is that the Polish way has you drop on the third count, whereas the German way has you hop on the third count. We teach the German way. If you have ever heard Polka music, then you know how lively and fast-paced it is.

Like Polka, Waltz is also from Poland. It actually branched from Polka and became Viennese Waltz which, believe it or not, is from Vienna. Viennese Waltz or "Strauss Waltz" then evolved into "Slow Waltz" (in Europe) or "American Waltz". Since we are in America, it is just referred to as Waltz. Both, Viennese Waltz and Waltz, use three counts of music, but the main difference is that Viennese Waltz is twice faster than Waltz.

Next week we will explore the history of Swing and some of its variations. Don't forget we have got a lot of fun events coming up! Friday (tomorrow) we have a Valentine's Day Party at 9pm - be sure to wear red! Also, Showcase is coming up soon on March 27th, so mark your calendars!

History of the Dances Part 1

2011-02-02T16:28:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone! I have a special treat for you! I'm starting a series on the history of ballroom dances. This gives you some insider info. that not too many people know about. This week I will share some background on Fox Trot.

Originally, aristocrats would dance on huge ballroom floors in castles throughout Europe. This dancing would span the length of the entire floor, which was great for the aristocrats who had the status, wealth, and power to go around dancing at these extravagant parties. However, it also meant that they were the only ones who got to have fun dancing. There was extreme discontent amongst the peasants and lower classes that were not able to dance since they did not have access to larger dance floors to do the dance of aristocrats. Then in England, a man named Harry Fox enters the scene. He grew tired of not being able to dance in smaller venues. Being the innovator that he was, he condensed the dance of aristocrats to smaller steps and created what is now known as the Fox Trot.

Stay tuned for next weeks dance history!

Shoes for Ballroom Dancing

2011-01-27T10:07:00.000-08:00

This is a question that we get asked all the time. What kind of ballroom shoes should I buy and how do I find the right pair of ballroom dance shoes? We have put together a guide to help you in your search.

Many women want not only a ballroom shoe that is comfortable, but one that also looks nice. Basic designs include closed-toe pumps or open-toe pumps or sandals. Heel height and shape can vary greatly depending on the level of the dancer and the style of dance. For starting, we recommend purchasing a pair of shoes that will work for many of the dances. This would typically be a closed-toe pump with a 2 inch flared heel. For the social dancer, black is the most popular color because it goes with almost anything you wear. In addition, it is preferable to choose shoes that have an ankle or T-strap for added support.

Men typically have it a little easier in choosing shoes. We typically recommend a split sole jazz boot because they often provide a comfortable fit. There are other styles available including a lace-up Oxford style shoe with a flat heel or a 1-2 inch heel for Latin shoes.

For any ballroom shoes, look for those with a suede sole - which provides the right combination of grip and slide. A shoe brush is essential in maintaining your shoes properly. Sneakers and other rubber-soled shoes can stick to the floor causing knee injuries, whereas leather soles slip too much.

Fit is extremely important as you want a snug fit, but not so tight that you are crushing your toes. Comfort should be the top priority.

Most importantly, ballroom shoes are meant to be worn in the studio only. Do not wear them on the street as the rough surfaces and dirt will wear them out quickly.

I hope that you and your shoes are staying safe and dry in this snowy, crazy weather!

Ballroom Dancing is Healthy

2011-01-19T19:06:00.000-08:00

While most people dance for fun, did you realize that dancing is one of the best forms of physical, mental and social exercise? For example, take the t.v. show "Dancing with the Stars". Most of the celebrities on that show state that they are in the best shape of their lives after the competition. Several have publicly admitted that they lost 15-20 pounds during the training. While you may not dance as many hours as they do, ballroom dance is still a great workout. Dancing brings your heart rate up, works every muscle group in your body, strengthens your core, and helps to build strong bones. If you dance continuously for 30 minutes, you can expect to burn between 200-400 calories - equivalent to walking, swimming, or cycling.

In addition, there is a mental and social exercise benefit as well. In a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, frequent dancers were shown to have a reduced risk of dementia. The author of the study, Dr. Joe Verghese, stresses that dancing is a complex activity, it's not purely physical, but a mental exercise as well. He goes on to say that dancing provides several benefits to the brain including an increase in blood flow to the brain, reduces stress, depression and loneliness because of the social aspect of dancing, and finally, dancing provides mental stimulation in the form of memorizing patterns. Because dancing is fun and an activity that is shared with a partner or other friends, many people will tend to stick with it - thereby increasing the health benefits as time goes on.

So what are you waiting for? Put on those dance shoes and dance your way to better health!

Benefits of Dancing

2011-01-12T17:28:00.000-08:00

Have you ever thought about all of the benefits that ballroom dancing provides? Over the next few weeks I am going to share with you the numerous things you gain from taking part in this fun sport.

For most people, making the phone call and taking that first step through the door is the hardest part. However, learning to dance is an adventure - a chance to try something new and exciting. Ballroom dancing is a social hobby. Regardless of whether you have a partner or not, dancing can provide many wonderful opportunities to meet other people who share your interest in dancing - creating lifelong friendships.

One of the greatest benefits of ballroom dancing that is often overlooked is the mental and social aspect of dance. Ballroom dancing allows us to build relationships, improve confidence, self-esteem and communication, learn partnering skills, respect for others, and working as a team. These important skills will carry throughout your entire life - both on and off the dance floor.

For many people, everyday life can be very hectic between trying to juggle children, careers, and normal everyday chores. Dance lessons force you to set aside a specific amount of time for yourself. Not only does dancing provide you quality time with your partner, it can also provide stress relief and a chance to decompress after a long day providing a much needed work-life balance. The minute the music starts to play, you can feel the tension slowly dissipate and you can begin to relax. Dancing can become a creative outlet for people who lack time for themselves, thereby improving your mental health.

Dancing in the New Year

2011-01-06T06:30:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year everyone! I hope you had a great 2010! I am excited to continue dancing on into the new year with you all. Now that the holidays are over with, we can get back to focusing on what matters most to us - dancing! Over the past couple of weeks, we have talked about dance etiquette for all social dance situations. Today, I briefly want to mention some things to avoid while coming into the studio for a lesson or party.

One thing that is a major distraction is cell phones. When lessons are going on and someones phone rings or vibrates, it makes everyone lose focus and disrupts lessons. So please be courteous to your instructors and fellow students by turning off your cell phones when you enter the studio. If for some reason you can't turn it off, switching it to silent mode is just as good. Remember, one of the best parts of being at the studio is that it is a haven - a place to get away from the rest of life for a while.

The other thing we want to be mindful of is bringing food or drink into the studio. I know it is tempting to want to grab a bite to eat before a lesson, but it is very distracting for instructors and fellow students. The exception to this is, of course, if you bring enough for everyone to share (like on designated gourmet party nights).

Before I sign off for this week, I just want to keep everyone posted on this month's special themed party. We are having a Movie Party on Friday, January 21st, where each song we play is from a movie and you get to dress up as your favorite movie character! So, thank you everyone for a wonderful New Year's Eve Party, and I look forward to many more fun times ahead in 2011!

Holiday dance preparation

2010-12-29T20:54:00.000-08:00

Happy holidays to all of you fellow dancers! As we approach this season's holiday parties, I hope they involve lots of dancing! When you go to dance with someone, whether it's at a holiday party or in general, there are a few things you may want to keep in mind.

In the past it has been customary for the gentleman to ask the lady to dance. However, that custom has changed so it is now acceptable for women to ask men to dance. Don't be shy ladies - go up to that gentleman and ask him to dance! Regardless of who is doing the asking, always be polite. After you have finished dancing, be gracious and thank your partner as you accompany them to their seat. If you feel you need to decline a dance, please do so politely.

While it is fun and comfortable to dance each dance with your spouse or whomever you take lessons with, from an educational standpoint it is recommended that you vary your partners and try to avoid dancing with the same partner too many times. This way you get exposed to different expressions of leading or following. Switching partners also ensures everyone an equal chance to dance. For the same reasons, it is discouraged to ask the same partner for more than two consecutive dances.

Now, I'm sure we can all relate to the excitement of wanting to try out that "new move" you learned in class, or even wanting to try out some more advanced patterns on someone you don't usually dance with. However, you should dance to the level of your partner. It is important for the more experienced person to dance at the level of the less experienced person. Keep in mind that showing off or trying to "teach" your partner can make for an uncomfortable and unpleasant situation. Don't forget you are there to have fun! So if an attempt at dancing a pattern goes awry, don't look to blame yourself or your partner. Just make sure to immediately pause your dancing and then restart. Engaging in this concept of "no-fault dancing" ensures that no one ends up finishing the dance feeling frustrated.

Now that you are well-equipped with the proper dance etiquette, you are ready to go out and have fun at all your holiday dance parties! I hope you all have a great new year, and look forward to seeing you at our New Year's Party this Friday!

What to wear?

2010-12-15T20:18:00.000-08:00

Last time we promised you a continuation of proper dance attire. After talking about what should not be worn in a dance setting, today I would like to discuss what would be encouraged to wear in a dance setting. Let us start off with focusing on women first. Proper attire for women include nice slacks, skirts or dresses. You might want to avoid strapless dresses in order to prevent potentially embarrassing wardrobe malfunctions. Also, if flared skirts are worn (which may fly up on spins and turns), it may be a good idea to invest in special dance undergarments. As for the gentlemen, you have slightly fewer options for clothing styles, so wearing nice slacks with a nice shirt is great. The nicer you dress, the more you impress!

As for your feet, you should always wear dance shoes. If you wear sneakers or other shoes with rubber soles, it increases the likelihood of knee and ankle injuries. In addition, flip-flops and other open-back shoes are never a good choice as it is very likely that your feet will slip out of these shoes. It is important for women to wear shoes with an ankle or t-strap to provide added support. Women's shoes should be ballroom dance shoes with no more than a 2.5" Latin heel with a rubber tip on the bottom of the heel. We have found that a very comfortable, useful, and addictive style of shoe for men is the split-sole jazz boot. It conforms to your foot like a sock and allows you to feel the floor so much easier! Just remember, guys, that whether you're ordering the jazz boots or ballroom shoes, you should always double check measurements with the company you're ordering from.

We hope these guidelines will help you in choosing the proper attire and help us to provide a comfortable environment for all our students and guests! Last but not least, don't forget to join us for our awesome holiday party this Friday!

A Guide to Dance Etiquette

2010-12-10T11:08:00.000-08:00

Now here is a topic that is seldom discussed: dance etiquette. We know it exists, and now here's a guide to clear those blurry lines of what is proper to take place in a dance setting and what is not. Why do we care? We take a lot of pride in fostering an environment where everyone is welcome and comfortable. Our first installment in etiquette will deal with proper attire while at the studio for lessons and practice parties. Most people say that their clothing choice influences how they dance. They feel better about themselves and more confident when they are dressed nicer.

First and foremost, we prefer that students adopt dressy casual to dressy (especially for parties) as the level of attire. We want you to wear clothing that is comfortable and will allow you to move freely while you are dancing. However, it is not appropriate to wear clothing that will distract other students or make others feel uncomfortable. On this note, shorts, tank tops, mini-skirts, t-shirts, jeans, and workout clothes are not acceptable clothing options.

Next week we will cover some suggestions for what proper attire should be as well as suggestions for shoes. Also be on the lookout for announcements. Don't forget that feedback and questions are encouraged!

Happy Holidays!

2010-12-01T19:57:00.000-08:00

I can't believe it's already December! This month brings many exciting and fun events to look forward to.

We are all proud here at Now & Then Dance Studios to have been invited to perform at the Montgomery County Executive Ball to be held this Sunday December 5th. They have given us the honor of having our professionals perform a few routines as well as give a dance lesson in Tango.

Our annual holiday party will take place Friday December 17th. Group class is at 8pm to get everyone warmed up for the party at 9pm! Come join your friends for a night of dancing, food, and drink.

Finally, don't forget our New Year's Eve party! The deadline for buying tickets is December 10th, and costs $45 per person. There is going to be dancing from 9pm until midnight, with a full, open bar, tons of food, and even more fun. Space is limited so be sure to get your tickets ASAP.

Let's Talk About Dancing...

2010-11-24T16:19:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the new Now & Then Dance Studios blog! As we approach this holiday season, along with bringing good tidings and cheer, we embark on an exciting venture into the digital world of communication. It turns out that we actually have some thoughts we hope you like! This will be a bi-weekly (or weekly - depending on how much we have to say) posting of dance-related news, ideas, discussions, and the like. We always encourage feedback regarding our blog entries, topics you would like to see, and any thoughts/suggestions you would like to share.

In addition to our new blog, we have started a monthly newsletter to keep you up to date about upcoming events, along with announcements, as well as a few other surprises to look forward to. Before we sign off for this week, here's some exciting news: we are proud to announce the relocation of our Silver Spring studio, scheduled in the near future. Stay tuned for more updates!