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Boosting Your Social Dance Popularity, Part One: Newcomer’s Guide

Newcomers have it tough. When they first step into the social dancing world, they are doing it with few to no connections, zero experience in social dance etiquette, and relatively little technique to work with. It's enough to keep a beginner from social dancing at all.

If only there was a guide to helping social dancing first and second-timers make a great first impression, so they can start making friends and potential dance partners from day one... Oh wait, now there is! (See what I did there?)

Continue reading "Boosting Your Social Dance Popularity, Part One: Newcomer’s Guide"

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Dance Wear, Part Three: Buying on a Budget

"What do you mean I need to buy dance clothes and shoes? Haven't I spent enough money on lessons already??" I know, I know.. Truth is, having clothing and especially shoes for dancing makes it a lot more enjoyable. And they don't have to break the bank.

I didn't always dress this snappy (my wife bought most of my clothes worth wearing), and I've always tended to buck the trend towards dance studio-themed clothing. Not only do many other clothing choices do the job just as well, they're cheaper too.

Over time, I met others who felt the same way I did, who managed to cut costs on their dance wear, while still buying what looked good and felt comfortable. The tips I'm including today are a combination of their advice and my own. Enjoy! Continue reading "Dance Wear, Part Three: Buying on a Budget"

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Dance Wear, Part Two: Different Venue, Different Costume

Dressing well for a social dance is about more than simply leaving your sharp jewelry at home and dressing in breathable clothes. Different venues call for different costumes, as my interview with ballroom instructor revealed.

Now, before you start telling yourself how superficial all this is, remember that fitting in is often a way of saying "hey, I'm one of you". And of course, this leads to more dances. That's why you came, right? Continue reading "Dance Wear, Part Two: Different Venue, Different Costume"

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Dance Wear, Part One: Dos and Don’ts

Good dance clothing makes it easier to dance, and move with others. Bad clothing and accessories are uncomfortable, and might even injure other dancers around you.

Not sure which is which? Fear not! I'm loading you up with 5 of the most important rules of social dance clothing and accessories, so the evening is a success for both you and your partners. Because as we know: Happy partners are repeat partners. Continue reading "Dance Wear, Part One: Dos and Don’ts"

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Ballroom Dance Wear: A Comprehensive List

When we first get started learning a new skill - woodworking, for example - we start with only the basic tools. After all, why buy an entire workshop when you still can’t make a shelf properly? It’s only as you grow in experience, that you invest more in your craft, so you can be prepared to respond to more interesting requests from your clients. Likewise, we’ve covered the basics of ballroom dance wear: Now let’s look at a larger list for those looking to be a bit more prepared. I encourage you to print them out, if you like. Continue reading "Ballroom Dance Wear: A Comprehensive List"

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Increasing Your Social Dancing Popularity

Going social dancing can feel like a crap-shoot, when it comes to whether it will be a ‘good dance night’. After all, who hasn’t had to endure a string of ladies who all had ‘headaches’, or men who seemed to ask all your friends but you? The key to increasing your social dance popularity isn’t simply learning more dance steps - or wearing less clothes. Continue reading "Increasing Your Social Dancing Popularity"

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Social Ballroom Dancing: A Survival Guide

So, you’ve attended a few group classes, learned the basics of moving your partner (or being moved) around the floor, and generally starting to feel like maybe your vision of becoming a sharp and sexy dancer might not be a total pipe-dream after all. Time to take it to a social ballroom dancing club, right?

Well, yes, but there’s a few things you should probably know before you run out the door. Continue reading "Social Ballroom Dancing: A Survival Guide"