Michele Decoteau
micheledecoteau@verizon.net
Shall We Dance?
If you are determined to get fit or take better care of yourself this year, ballroom dancing may be just the ticket. It is a terrific way to socialize while getting fit. Traditionally ballroom dancing was a social dance for the upper classes; today ballroom dancing has been made popular and accessible to everyone and is even the subject of movies and popular television shows.
“We started dancing because it was something we could do together,” says Paula McRell of Sutton. She and her husband are empty nesters and were looking for a way to reconnect. “It gets us together and we have met lots of really nice people. It’s wonderful exercise keeping your body and your brain active!”
There are a couple of ways to get started. Worcester Night Life and other adult education institutions offer introductory lessons. This is an inexpensive way to try dancing before you commit to a long set of lessons. Most studios offer a small introductory package as well. This not only lets you check out the dancing, but also gives you time to see if the studio suits you. Finding a studio you like is important as you will be spending time with the staff and the other students both in lessons and at social events.
Poise, Style, and Motion Ballroom Dance Studio in Worcester is one of the local studios offering group lessons for beginners. “Students can enroll at any time. We have lessons available three nights during the week and on Saturdays,” says Deborah Galvin, Co-owner and Instructor at Poise, Style and Motion. “This is a very affordable option.”
Private lessons are another way to get started. In private lessons, instructors assess a student's skills, experience and interest. Many students use this option if they have a specific dance goal. This time of year, studios often have special deals available for private lessons. For example, the Ninth Studio in Uxbridge is offering a Sweetheart Special of five dance lessons at a breathtakingly good price.
The Ninth Studio also offers wedding packages for the bride and groom to make that first dance together not only memorable, but flawless. “We can help them choreograph their first dance to their wedding song as well as teach them other dances,” says owner and instructor Mary DiGiovanni. “We can also do a group lesson with the wedding party and learn some fun dances like swing and the fox trot.”
Once a student has begun to master a few dance steps, it is time to practice! Dance studios in the area all have open dances for their students. Instructors are available to act as partners or offer guidance if you need some extra help. Poise, Style and Motion Studio offers their students an additional monthly dance at Meronis Park in Shrewsbury. “This starts with a short lesson followed by dancing, because once you start learning ballroom dancing you just want to get out there and do it!” says Deborah Galvin. “Competitive ballroom dancers also showcase their routines. It’s fun and inspiring.” They serve food and alcohol at these dances so the atmosphere is relaxed and social.
The Ninth Studio offers free dances on the last Saturday of every month in their studio at the historic Bernat Mills in Uxbridge. Every store and eatery in the Mill will be open until 10 PM on that same Saturday so you can make it an event. Everyone is welcome to attend these dances.
If you are interested in ballroom dancing, don't let the lack of a partner keep you from trying it out. Many individual men and women take classes and studios have instructors available as partners as well.
If you enjoy the first few lessons, consider purchasing special dance shoes. Dance shoes have soft suede soles that allow you to positively glide across the wooden dance floor. Sneakers will stick and dress shoes are slippery. If you are ready for special dancewear or one-of-a-kind eveningwear, visit the Ninth Studio. They not only carry stunning vintage and designer eveningwear and accessories, but also can custom design and hand-craft special occasion and eveningwear.
To get specific information about the five dance studios in the Valley and to find out about dances in this area, contact the Dancers of Central Massachusetts at: www.docma.net. The Ninth Studio has just opened and will be joining DOCMA soon. Until then please visit their website at: www.ninthstudio.com.
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Michele Decoteau is a freelance writer and editor living in Millbury.
Her dot com home can be found at www.micheledecoteau.com.
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This article orginally appeared in the January 2007 Blackstone Valley
Shopper.
