Dance Partners

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, BALLAD will be offered beginning Oct 6 through Bloomington Parks & Rec.

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. Part of our popular "wedding prep" series, Ballroom 1 begins Thursday, Sept 18, offered through HCC.

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. Part of our popular "wedding prep" series, Ballroom 1 begins Thursday, Sept 18, offered through HCC.

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. Basic HUSTLE classes begin Thursday, September 18, offered through HCC. Hustle 2b is tentatively scheduled in our studio on Sunday evenings in November.

MAMBO (47) - This is the ballroom predecessor to SALSA. Basic MERENGUE and SALSA will be taught on two Saturdays: Oct 18 & 25, through HCC. This will also be offered through Blm Parks & Rec on Mondays, beginning Nov 17.

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. Basic MERENGUE and SALSA will be taught on two Saturdays: Oct 18 & 25, through HCC. This will also be offered through Blm Parks & Rec on Mondays, beginning Nov 17.

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. Part of our popular "wedding prep" series, Social Dance 1 - including SINGLE SWING, WALTZ and NIGHTCLUB 2-STEP basics - begins Sept 8 through Blm Parks & Rec, and Sept 9 (in Pontiac IL) through HCC. For those who are interested in learning just NC2S, we're offering the basics on a Saturday - Sept 27 - through Blm Parks & Rec.

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. We've had requests to offer this again this winter, and will try to schedule it soon.

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. Part of our popular "wedding prep" series, Ballroom 1 begins Thursday, Sept 18, offered through HCC.

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. Basic MERENGUE and SALSA will be taught on two Saturdays: Oct 18 & 25, through HCC. This will also be offered through Blm Parks & Rec on Mondays, beginning Nov 17.

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. Part of our popular "wedding prep" series, Social Dance 1 - including SINGLE SWING, WALTZ and NIGHTCLUB 2-STEP basics - begins Sept 8 through Blm Parks & Rec, and Sept 9 (in Pontiac IL) through HCC. EAST COAST SWING basics is scheduled on Thursdays, beginning Dec 4, through HCC.

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". TANGO basics will be taught on two consecutive Sundays - Oct 19 & 26 - through HCC.

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. Part of our popular "wedding prep" series, Social Dance 1 - including SINGLE SWING, WALTZ and NIGHTCLUB 2-STEP basics - begins Sept 8 through Blm Parks & Rec, and Sept 9 (in Pontiac IL) through HCC.

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. WCS basics classes begin Thursday, Oct 23, through Heartland Community College.

Note: all classes are subject to minimum and maximum enrollments. Please register at least a week prior to start dates.

Related links

• Schedule of upcoming classes
• Frequently asked questions about dancing
• Cha Cha and Rumba Song Lists
• Swing & Hustle Song Lists
• Nightclub Two-Step Song List
• Waltz & Foxtrot Song List