Dance Fever Studio on the North Shore - Marblehead, MA

Jazz Up Your Social Life With Ballroom Dancing

  Since the advent of wildly successful reality television shows like Dancing With The Stars, ballroom dancing has reached new levels of popularity among regular people. Ballroom and Latin dance hotspots and nightclubs are springing up in all the major cities, while colleges and universities are establishing ballroom dance clubs all over the world. People have become addicted to salsa clubs and tango milangos. Over one million people have signed up for ballroom dance lessons just in the last year.

  Is this really a hot new social trend? Actually, ballroom dancing has been a popular social activity for over five hundred years. Since the days of grand dukes and duchesses and aristocratic balls, the socially elite have enjoyed choosing their partners with the beautiful music and glamorous costumes of ballroom dancing. Dancers don't really have to display the consummate skill of professional, competitive ballroom dancers, because social ballroom dancing by definition doesn't focus on the skill of the dancers but instead on socializing. Ballrooms have always provided an ideal social climate for men and women to gather together, develop friendships, and have a good time.

  But what is it that has made ballroom dancing such a social phenomenon in recent years? The number of people enrolling in ballroom and Latin dance classes increases exponentially every year, as more and more "regular people" climb on the bandwagon and join the legions of dancers strutting their stuff in a lively Foxtrot or sexy Tango. A lot of credit probably has to go to popular television shows like Dancing With The Stars, as millions of people who may never have considered such an activity are inspired by watching their favorite celebrities who have never danced in their lives transform into graceful, elegant ballroom dancers. As the celebrity dancers go through the intensive ballroom dance lessons, we can see that it isn't exactly easy, and we can tell that it takes a lot of hard work and determination to learn to dance like that. But – it looks like so much fun!

  And that's exactly what so many people are finding out. They may take up ballroom dancing for a number of different reasons, but the common result seems to be that once they try it, they love it! And people are truly amazed at how many of their favorite contemporary songs are perfect for dancing a Waltz, Foxtrot or Swing. Newly engaged couples sign up for ballroom dance lessons in order to impress their guests for their first wedding dance, then continue on throughout their marriages to enjoy dancing together at ballroom dance parties and social clubs. Widows who are feeling lonely and want to go back out into society can enroll in a dance studio and find themselves making new friends and joining in a regular new social activity. Others begin learning to dance for the health benefits, especially after seeing certain DWTS celebrities achieve fantastic weight loss for slimmer, sexier bodies. They find their weight loss success story but don't let it end there because they've already fallen in love with ballroom.

  The enormous popularity of ballroom dancing has inspired a wave of new ballroom dance clubs and organizations throughout the world. Colleges and universities such as Purdue, the University of Michigan and Cal Tech have established ballroom dance clubs that sponsor regular dance parties, along with lessons and competitions. Organizations such as YMCA, Community centers, Elk and Moose lodges are teaching ballroom dance and holding social ballroom dances. Most dance academies and studios that teach private and group ballroom dance lessons throughout the week hold Friday and Saturday evening ballroom dance parties.

  Another fun social aspect of ballroom dancing is when public parks and recreation facilities hold outdoor summer dances with free music. New York's Midsummer Night Swing is one such city sponsored dance event. Ballroom can be an enjoyable activity during family vacations as well. Many hotels and resorts offer dancing and teach ballroom dance lessons. And of course, we can't forget the cruises. Ballroom dancing in formal attire is a long-standing tradition on ships like the Queen Mary 2. Crystal Cruises also hosts a Big Band Ballroom Dance voyage featuring the 20-piece Glenn Miller Orchestra, and offers dance lessons during the cruise.

  People really become enamored with ballroom and Latin dancing. Many people are passionately devoted to the tango, and schedule their social calendar around tango social events called milongas. Dancers are nearly addicted to the magic of the close romantic embrace and become lost in the haunting music of the Argentine Tango. An entire segment of the DJ and party entertainment business is devoted to salsa parties. Professional salsa dancers and disc jockeys are providing exciting entertainment for all types of occasions, including weddings, birthday and anniversary parties, themed parties, corporate team-building events, school workshops and even children's parties. Hot night clubs are catering to the sizzling Latin dance music that exudes so much fun, and often feature live salsa bands.

  So whether you want to go dancing with your partner, or you just want to go out and meet new people and have fun, you can't resist the sultry rhythms of ballroom dancing.

DANCE WORKSHOP 2010

For a number of years, Dance Fever Studio has been host to the area's only ballroom dance-focused summer day camp.

With opportunities for children 5 years and older, our Summer Dance Workshop features Ballroom and Latin dance, fitness, arts and crafts, and more!

Call
888-267-7903
to learn more.

• International Standard
• Waltz
• Tango
• Foxtrot
• Viennese Waltz
• Quickstep
• International Latin
• Cha-Cha
• Samba
• Rumba
• Paso Doble
• Jive
• Other Dances
• Wedding Dance Services