allaboutmusic

I can't believe I'm saying it either.

Truth is, I actually find dancing kind of fun, and don't embarrass that easily - but I'd like to also be reasonably good at it. It also seems like an enjoyable way to lose weight, stay fit and meet single women.

So those of you in the know - help me out here. What kind of classes will be fun, require me to be active, have attractive single women, and will also teach me suitable moves appropriate to a disco or club?

Thanks in advance!

snowy

Were you in the United States, I would suggest looking for classes at a community college, but I'm not sure what the equivalent institution is in the United Kingdom. Community colleges, colleges, and universities here all typically offer some assortment of classes in dance, with a variety of styles to choose from. I'm trying to get my boyfriend to agree to sign up for a ballroom dancing class with me. While the moves aren't ones you'd typically use in a club, ballroom can give you some sense of how to move to rhythm on your feet in a manner that looks elegant versus dorky. Swing and salsa classes are also a good bet.

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Siege

*raises hand*

actually i am male and i would like to learn how to dance. I'm not talking about the type of dancing that goes on in clubs, but more of the ballroom stuff. What holds me back is a lack of partner, and a lack of knowledge of how to get started.

Not to mention I always wonder just how useful this skill will be? Will I ever get to use it outside of class? I can't imagine anyone my age having these skills and a quick survey revealed that indeed I only know one other person that knows how (or admits to) to dance.

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snowy

In my community there are a few dances a year where ballroom moves are expected, and the university holds at least one ballroom dance a term, plus practice dances weekly. There used to be a place here in town that did ballroom dancing nights once a week, and there are also clubs that host salsa events on a regular basis. So it's out there--you've just got to look for it. And yes, it does mean meeting new people. Typically classes will rotate through partners, so you'll get to meet everyone, and over the course of a few classes with the same group, you will get to know people. One of my dear friends from university was in my first ballroom class years ago.

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ColonelSpecial

I would suggest finding local swing/blues dances. The ones hosted around my neck of the woods (in the US) host lessons 30 minutes-1 hour before the main dance. I recommend swing dancing because there are several steps starting from a very easy Jitterbug to a more complicated Lindy Hop. I recommend swing dancing because the music is upbeat, the dress is more casual, the people tend to be younger and there are always lots of ladies wanting to dance. Once you master one or more of these steps, you can twist around all kinds on the dance floor and look great. The steps also translate well into dancing in other non-swing clubs.

There are several swing clubs (dancing only here) here that have weekly lessons outside of the dances. These lessons will teach you spins, more complicated leading (a good thing to master) and how to look cool. Once you learn these steps, if you want to go out and learn ballroom or samba or square dancing, your instructor can usually tell you of classes available.

The great thing about going to dances if you can find them is the group changes each time. You go and dance with lots of people. I can tell you that swing dancing is ALWAYS looking for more men.

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little_tippler

I love men who like to dance, so good for you!

I have taken ballroom dancing lessons myself, also Salsa lessons.

Ballroom dancing has it's own community and usually by going to classes you end up meeting other people who like to dance, and who will likely go out to clubs that play salsa/ballroom music and take you along. It can be a great boost to your social life and it's very refreshing to go to a club where people are actually interested in dancing and having fun, as opposed to getting it on with you.

This kind of dancing always has more women than men, so take your pick. Fun classes I'd say would be Salsa classes, and you'll probably have several ladies to dance with (usually in these classes everyone dances with everyone, you don't have a fixed partner), and I'd say the Salsa danced in a circle (called salsa rueda casino, literally salsa casino wheel) is very fun because you dance in a circle and partners rotate around during the dance.

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We are ever unapparent. What we are
Cannot be transfused into word or book.
Our soul from us is infinitely far.
However much we give our thoughts the will
To be our soul and gesture it abroad,
Our hearts are incommunicable still.
In what we show ourselves we are ignored.
The abyss from soul to soul cannot be bridged
By any skill of thought or trick of seeming.
Unto our very selves we are abridged
When we would utter to our thought our being.
We are our dreams of ourselves, souls by gleams,
And each to each other dreams of others' dreams.

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ratbastid

We're swing dancers. It's FUN. I can almost guarantee you there's a local group that puts on dances. No partner or talent required--just show up and be willing to learn and have fun. Swing dancers LOVE beginners. I mean, sure there are Lindy Snobs who won't go near somebody who just did their first intro lesson, but you don't want to dance with them anyway. Some of the best times I have on the floor are with brand new dancers who are willing to just go for it!

thespian86

You want to meet fit and hip young ladies?

Contemporary. You'll look out of place; but, hell, the girls don't get much better. Athletically it's (arguably) the most strenuous physically. And it's about understanding movement, so you'll learn how to be a great mover, which will translate well when moving between styles.

While looking just call dance studios and ask around.

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SabrinaFair

Bravo for wanting to learn how to dance. I only wish some of the men in my life would step up and learn how to dance--maybe then I'd know how to ballroom dance without leading!

I learned at a local studio--they offered cheap group lessons, and had weekend "socials". I learned a lot from the socials; some kindly old gentleman would ask me to dance, and teach me a new step. Good stuff. So maybe see if there's anything like that in your area.

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Strange Famous

Just get in touch with local community centres - cos there are bound to be loads of courses, especially with how popular Strictly Come Dancing is now.

Its probably a brilliant way to meet women, cos I bet they have a lot more girls than guys ar classed like that.

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Iliftrocks

My daughter is taking ballet and hip/hop dancing locally. The studio she dances for has an annual father/daughter dance, which I have participated in for 3 years now. Mainly theater style dancing, nothing too complex for us geezers. It's fun, regardless. Some of the other fathers are talking about taking a "Dad's only" clogging class next year, and I may do that.

I have tried the swing dancing, and it is also fun. The basic steps are fairly easy and there are many unattached women in need of dance partners too......

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