Dance Partners
Ballroom, Latin and Nightclub
Group and Private Lessons
Cathy Hempstead, CEO
Bloomington, IL
309-661-0529
Profile
We encourage adults to enjoy ballroom, nightclub, and Latin styles of dance, building confidence while improving leading and following techniques. Utilizing current and recent music releases, we're overcoming the narrow "1940s, Big Band" image of ballroom dancing. With up to eight skill levels in many dances, we offer a steady stream of new patterns and challenges to social dancers.
We encourage dancers to enjoy our sport in smoke-free, healthful environments.
Information
Dance descriptions (ideal tempi in measures per minute):
BALLAD (24-26) - "Belly-rubbing", "buckle-polishing" . . . whatever you call it, it's slow & romantic, drawing from many FOXTROT patterns but adapted to smaller dancefloors and slower music. A popular "first dance" rhythm for brides and grooms.
BOLERO (24-26) - when the music's just too slow for RUMBA, you'll want to sway along with this romantic dance.
CHA CHA (28-32) - CHA CHA is a rhythmical Latin dance which originated in the 1940's as a modified (slower) form of MAMBO. It's fun, energetic, sexy and flirtatious, easily distinguished from other dances by it's "step, step, cha cha cha" timing. Great CHA CHA songs include Smooth, I Like It Like That, and Oye Como Va. Included in our popular Ballroom Dance basics - and part of our "wedding prep" series - this course is offered several times a year.
FOXTROT (30-32) - Easy to learn, FOXTROT is a smooth dance, traveling counter-clockwise around the dance floor, or "line of dance." FOXTROT is extremely versatile and can be danced to a variety of musical styles and tempi, including many "movie tunes." Popular FOXTROT songs include King of the Road, A Wink and a Smile, and I Will Wait for You. Included in our popular Ballroom Dance basics - and part of our "wedding prep" series - this course is offered several times a year.
HUSTLE (27-30) - It's evolved since John Travolta's 1970's version: 3-count HUSTLE is largely stationary - making it practical for crowded dance floors - and characteristically keeps the ladies spinning. HUSTLE fits a variety of rock, blues, Latin, country, and disco music, including slower SWING songs that have heavy percussion/drums. Hustle 1 is tentatively scheduled to be begin again Sundays in November.
MAMBO (47) - This is the ballroom predecessor to SALSA.
MERENGUE (29-32) - Drawing from Dominican and Haitian roots, MERENGUE is the easiest dance to learn, and it's very practical on crowded dance floors. It fits Hot, Hot, Hot and many pop hits by Gloria Estefan and other recent Latin stars.
NIGHT CLUB TWO-STEP (18-22) - Borrowing many dance patterns from RUMBA, SWING, and MAMBO, this "California 2-step" fits many light-rock and love songs with a rhythmic swaying motion that may be danced on the most crowded night club dance floors. Great 2-step songs include Lady In Red, I Hope You Dance, and Always, as well as many Elton John and popular wedding songs. Included in our popular Social Dance basics - and part of our "wedding prep" series - classes are offered several times each year.
QUICKSTEP (50-52) - The QUICKSTEP is lively and energetic, characterized by fast movements, including a variety of hops, kicks, skips, lock steps, and chasses. An experienced dancer may employ frequent changes in rhythm and pattern. Note: QUICKSTEP is not for beginners; the basic elements of FOXTROT and WALTZ should be mastered first.
RUMBA (27-32) - The original slow dance - influenced by Latin rhythms and dance styling - RUMBA encourages dancers to enjoy romantic melodies such as On and On, Islands in the Stream, and Yesterday Once More. Included in our popular Ballroom Dance basics - and part of our "wedding prep" series - this course is offered several times a year.
SALSA (43-50) - Rhythmic and fun, combining Puerto Rican and Cuban style with the 1940's-through-80's Mambo King's musical influence, SALSA fits today's Latin-pop songs by artists such as Jennifer Lopez, Ricky Martin, and Enrique Iglesias.
SAMBA (54-56) - Native of Brazil, SAMBA is another addictive Latin dance with a pulsing beat. Annually during Carnivale (Mardi Gras), Brazilian SAMBA schools compete against one another with new and edgy SAMBA moves.
SWING/SINGLE SWING (42-44) is the building block for many varieties of active, energetic dances including JIVE (42-44), EAST COAST (32-38) and WEST COAST SWING (27-32), HUSTLE (27-30), SHAG, etc. Every generation seeks to reinvent this timeless dance. Included in our popular Social Dance basics - and part of our "wedding prep" series - classes are offered several times each year.
TANGO American style (30-32) - Often dramatic, and distinguished by it's staccato beat, TANGO evolved from shady roots in Argentina to a popular ballroom dance . . . and it shows up on many people's lists of "things to do before I turn 50".
VIENNESE WALTZ (54-56) - the oldest and most elegant of the ballroom dances, V. WALTZ- like slow WALTZ - is distinguished by its 3/4 timing. It was first developed in Vienna as a fast paced dance to the music of Johann Strauss, from which a slower version was later developed. The VIENNESE WALTZ is characterized with quick swirly motion as couples spin across the floor. Note: V. WALTZ is not suitable for beginners; experience with the slow WALTZ is highly recommended.
WALTZ (23-30) - WALTZ is a smooth dance, traveling counter-clockwise around the dance floor. It is characterized primarily by its elegant rise and fall action, accompanied by leg and body swing. Turning movements in both directions are prevalent, giving the impression of floating around the dance floor. Great WALTZ rhythms include Could I Have This Dance (for the rest of my life), Are You Lonesome Tonight, and Sunrise Sunset, as well as many Christmas songs. Included in our popular Social Dance basics - and part of our "wedding prep" series - classes are offered several times each year.
WEST COAST SWING (27-32) - The state dance of California is danced in a slot to slow swing, blues and jazz music. This addictive and challenging dance gives the appearance of the lady rushing and spinning past the man as he leads her toward - and away from - the spot where he's dancing. WEST COAST SWING songs include Operator, Blue Monday, and many mellow swing songs from the past 40 years.
Note: all classes are subject to minimum and maximum enrollments. Please register at least a week prior to start dates.
Related links