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Fate Led Me to Fred Astaire Dance Studio
Fate led me to Fred Astaire Dance Studios... I had always wanted to take ballroom dance lessons ever since I was a young child. My maternal grandmother was a dancer, and she would often twirl me around her kitchen while the meatballs were simmering on the stove. I recall how happy she was when she was dancing; the music seemed to bring out her energy, and it rubbed off on me. She showed me photos of her dance competitions, and I was mesmerized by the glitter and glitz of her costumes. How I wished I could wear such fancy dresses! Unfortunately, my grandmother developed Parkinson’s disease at a relatively young age, and she was forced to stop dancing. It has been several years since she passed away, and, yet, I feel particularly close to her now. Last fall, I noticed a Facebook friend of mine "checked in" at Fred Astaire Dance Studio on N. Dale Mabry. Instantly jealous that she was apparently taking ballroom dance lessons, I asked her all about it, and she raved about Roberto, her charming teacher who was introducing her to the wonderful world of Salsa and Swing. I immediately signed up for dance lessons of my own, and when Rob asked me why I was taking lessons, I told him about my grandmother. That night, I dove into my family archives to find those photos to share with my new friends. Much to my amazement, my grandmother’s Fred Astaire “bronze curriculum” fell out of the album and into my lap. The yellowed, tattered curriculum from a NJ studio in 1978 resembled my own shiny new one, 35 years later. I had no idea that my grandmother had attended Fred Astaire! Now, once a week, I channel the same joyful energy I felt in my grandmother’s kitchen decades ago. Dana RollisonStudent at Fred Astaire Dance Studio North Tampa
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Watch Fred Astaire Tampa Bay Dancers Perform
The professionals at Fred Astaire Dance Studios of Tampa Bay are excited to be performing at Tampa's Saks for the second year in a row! The evening includes live entertainment, a DJ, and a variety of exhibitors! All to benefit a very good cause! Our very own Fred Astaire Dance Studios' United States Rising Star Finalists, Robert Rocha and Tiana Ramirez, will be performing live every thirty minutes this evening. You'll have the opportunity to see a variety of dances since the theme is "Around the World." You'll see Salsa, Samba, Rumba, Tango and even the all-American Swing! Opportunities will abound for receiving a complimentary lesson. Stop by to see us! Enjoy an international experience of delectable food, delicious cocktails, fabulous “Best of Saks” fashions for summer. Participate in our summer-chic auction and a chance drawing for a luxurious trip to Dreams La Romana Resort & Spa, Dominican Republic. Saks Fifth Avenue and LAMPlighters are paying special tribute to the countless volunteer hours the LAMPLighters dedicate to the homeless and displaced families of Tampa Bay. 10% of in-store sales for the evening will be donated to the LAMPlighters, with a maximum donation of $1,000. Donations excludes purchases from Saks Fifth Avenue Salon and Spa, The Fur Salon, Gift Cards, Services, Taxes and Fees. $125 Couple Ticket ~ $75 Individual Ticket In compliance with the Federal Income Tax guidelines, we must inform you that your gift is a charitable contribution to the extent it exceeds the value of the food and beverages you receive. in exchange for your gift. We estimate the value of the food and beverages to be $35.00.
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Take a Dance Class to Alleviate Awkward Social Situations
Tired of feeling insecure or awkward in social situations? Never know what to say? Taking a dance class can help! Develop the art of conversation by taking a dance class and letting your feet start the talking. Through the non-verbal cues of leading and following, the conversation has already begun, opening the door for two to three minutes of a joyfully captive audience. With the first hurdle cleared, feel free to continue the conversation off the floor or move on to the next dance partner! Learn a new hobby, build friendships wit other dance students, or you might even meet that special someone is only half the fun. No doubt about it, learning to dance can change the way people feel about themselves! Unlike many physical activities, there are no limits for participating at our dance studios. Regardless of your physical makeup or previous experience, taking a dance class can be enjoyed to various extents throughout your life and it’s never too late to start. Whether you’re young or young at heart, dance lessons offers so many benefits beyond the activity itself. In learning to dance, don’t be surprised to find your agility, coordination, and confidence, both on the floor and off, improving right along with your skill! The mental and emotional benefits of dancing can’t be ignored either. The social interaction and physical exertion lead to decreased stress, depression, and isolation. The mental engagement required for learning and recalling patterns, as well as being in tune with your partner, increase focus, memory, and intellectual stimulation. When you are healthier and feel better about yourself, life in general seems a little brighter! From day one, the fun of joining a dance class is undeniable! The pride of achievement, thrill of moving to the rhythm of your favorite songs, energetic atmosphere, and pleasure of meeting new people with similar interests are sure to satisfy. Why lose another moment? Find out what you’ve been missing today! Sign up today for a dance class in Tampa Bay. We offer beginner Ballroom dance classes in St. Petersburg, Tampa, Brandon and even Palm Harbor. For more information on Dance Classes in Brandon For more information on Dance Classes in St. Petersburg North For more information on Dance Classes in St. Petersburg For more information on Dance Classes in North Tampa
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A Class You Never Imagined Would Make You Smarter…Dance Class
For centuries, dance manuals and other writings have lauded the health benefits of dancing, usually as physical exercise. More recently we've seen research on further health benefits of dancing, such as stress reduction and increased serotonin levels.Recently another benefit of dancing has emerged: Frequent dancing apparently makes us smarter and wards off dementia. A major study in the New England of Journal of Medicine added to the growing evidence that stimulating one's body and mind can ward off Alzheimer's disease and dementia. The best activity according to the study?.... You guessed it, Dancing.Start a habit now that will keep you sharp and alert for years to come. Need help getting started? We have a dance class for you. Fred Astaire North Tampa offers dance classes for beginners to advance. Start with a group dance class or a private dance lesson at our convenient location just minutes from Carrollwood and Citrus Park.
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Dancing the West Coast Swing!
So what dance do you choose when the music is too slow for East Coast Swing? How about the West Coast Swing! West Coast Swing was born in sunny southern California in the 1940’s. It is a joyful and contagious dance that is widely believed to have emerged from the Lindy Hop Swing. This bluesy dance has spread throughout the United States and is now one of the most popular forms of swing dancing. The popularity lies with the passion that that can be ignited as two people can both express their musical interpretation and still enjoy the dance with each other. It’s not just “I lead, you follow”, the lady actually gets to think and make decisions on where she will move next and the duration of any given movement. When dancing the west coast swing, you should feel very smooth and use continuous body action no matter what speed you are dancing. This is only accomplished by being completely connected to your partner. If there is no connection the dance can feel very mechanical and robotic (and looks that way too). The dance allows the dancers more freedom simply because they are in "open dance position" most of the time. There is hip action in this dance, but it does not have the bounce that East Coast Swing offers. There is a sexiness associated with the blues that definitely manifests in the West Coast. West Coast Swing is danced to a wide range of tempos, anywhere from 15 to 45 mpm. It can be slow and elegant, silky and sensual, or fast and furious, depending on the music being played. It is danced in the Ballroom, Swing, and Country Western communities. SO get those dancing shoes on and try out this sexy, bluesy swing and I know you will enjoy the jealous looks from the sidelines of all those people who never bothered to learn the West Coast Swing! No wallflowers here. Add some pizzazz to your life and just DANCE!
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SUBSCRIBEPreferred Vendors > Ruth Eckerd Hall
Ruth Eckerd Hall
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Ruth Eckerd Hall is a not-for-profit organization that is committed to presenting the finest in performing arts and also providing performing arts education to all segments of our community. RuthEckerdHall.com