Descriptions
DANCE STYLES
The best way to describe the dances is to see them. Below the descriptions you will find links to performances and social dancing videos. Our classes will prep you for social dancing. Keep in mind that the dances on those videos are performed by professionals.
SWING/JITTERBUG/LINDY HOP
**In level 1, you will learn the form of Swing that is similar to the Jitterbug and that will prep you for Lindy hop. It is characterized by a six-count basic, spins, turns, bounces and some charlestons! In the beginner class, you will learn the basic six count triple and single time that you can use right away on the social dance floor as well as essential lead and follow skills that will allow you to dance with anyone. In our classes, we teach you this style in view of preparing you for Lindy Hop.
**In Level 2: The Lindy Hop.
Here you will be introduced to the Lindy Hop and its main basic the swing
out, the lindy circle and charlestons.
**In level 3, we expect you to be fairly comfortable with the swing out. We keep working on various rhythms, footwork variations and patterns. We also start working with the music.
Lindy Hop Videos
More videos at: http://dancequarter.com/videos.html
SALSA
Salsa is the hottest dance on the club scene today, emphasizing undulating body movement, sassy turns and compelling rhythms. This "nubile" dance originally hailed from Cuba in the 1950's, and was greatly influenced by dancers and musicians in Puerto Rico, Miami and New York.
Social Dancing Video
Performance Video
SAMBA DE GAFIEIRA
Samba de Gafieira (also just called Gafieira and often spelled as Gafiera) is a ballroom dance expression of Brazilian samba musical rhythm. The samba music played by a ballroom orchestra or the dancing hall where it is performed is also referred as gafieira. Gafieira is usually an elegant partner dance which main characteristic is the « balanco » (sway in English). Its origins include the Maxixe, a Brazilian contemporary to Tango. Like Tango, Gafieira is danced in either open embrace, where lead and follow connect at arms length, or close embrace, where the lead and follow connect chest-to-chest.
Performance Video
Social Dancing
Argentine Tango
Tango is the dance of passion.
It was born in Buenos Aires at the beginning of the last century.
Originally developed by the poor immigrants in the ports, as their way of
expressing loneliness, frustration, desire and energy, often danced in a
close embrace, legs often entwined, it was seen by the rest of the world as
dangerous.
Tango was popularized in the 1920's when some of the great tango songs were
written, and various big tango orchestras started. It became socially
acceptable and many young people started dancing it in ballrooms and at tea
dances, both in Buenos Aires, and Paris. Today, it is danced all over the
world and to different types of music. Tango music can be slow and soulful
(tango), or fast and fun (milonga).
Tango is improvised, so in this class you will learn to communicate with
your partner throughout the dance and learn to listen to the music. In
reality, all you need to learn to dance Tango is the ability to walk in all
directions with the music and with your partner - and learn some patience
as it is not as easy as it may sound and can get more intricate!
The reward is that at times, it feels like you are meditating with your
partner and moving to the music together as one.
CLASS OPTIONS
GROUP CLASSES are a great way to meet new friends. As the saying goes, the more, the merrier! The atmosphere tends to be more lively and social than in a private lesson. Because we rotate partners, you really learn how to lead and follow and how to adjust to different people. Later on, these skills will give you room for improvisation.
To help you decide which level is better for you, please check our pre-requisites or talk to someone now at (504) 897-0327.
WORKSHOPS offer the benefits of a group class without the weekly commitment. They are usually longer than one hour, and thus are more intense. We use the term “crash course” to designate an intensive 3-hr block workshop on the same subject. We offer workshops regularly, usually on a weekly and monthly basis.
PRIVATES can be scheduled at your convenience and offer more personal attention. They are important in refining your dancing skills. Personalized attention allows you to improve technique, musicality, dance vocabulary and partnering skills. Together, group and privates increase your confidence, so you can dance well in any situation.
Privates are for one or two people.
SEMI-PRIVATES are for you and a small group of your friends. Just like a private lesson, you schedule the classes at your convenience, plus you get more personal attention than in a regular group class. After you’ve organized a group of your friends, we find the location that works best for you and provide the instructor.