Where to Take Ballroom Dance Lessons in Dallas

Posted on December 24, 2011 by

If you are new to the Dallas area, or are just taking up ballroom dancing in Dallas, it can be difficult to know where is the best place to go to learn to dance. Should you take Group lessons or private instruction, how much do classes and lessons cost…..these are some of the questions that most new dancers have. Dancemasters Studio in Dallas makes it easy to get started.   This wonderful studio has been teaching Dallas to dance for 28 years.  They offer group dance classes at very reasonable rates, or you could take advantage of their new student special which gets you one group class and one private dance lesson.  They also offer a cool Unlimited Monthly Group Activity Pass, which allows you to take advantage of all the group classes and parties that are offered for a low flat fee.  Dancemasters Studio specializes in teaching all levels and styles of partner dancing, from newcomer to advanced dancers in ballroom, latin, salsa, and swing dancing.

In addition to Dancemasters Studio, there are loads of activities and events available throughout the Dallas area.  For a plethora of dance related information in Dallas, check out this great website:  DFWdance.info

Dancing in Dallas is plentiful and varied – something for everyone.  There is no better time to get started than right now.

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How to Enhance Your Ballroom Costume With Figure Flattering Undergarments

Posted on November 18, 2011 by

Shapewear UndergarmentBasic shapewear has evolved over the past decade, and has become necessary not only for brides, but for dancesport competitors as well.  It’s important for not only support and comfort, but for a sleek and smooth appearance.  Barenecessities.com offers a very nice hidden wire bustier which is strapless, and does a nice job of lifting and separating and enhancing your upper assets.  When wearing a dazzling ballroom dancing dress, the very last thing you want to be thinking about is whether or not your undergarment straps are peeking out of your costume, or whether your love handles are drawing more attention that your beautiful dancing.

Plunge Bustier UndergarmentSome ballroom dance costumes are designed with a deeper plunge in the center front of the bodice, and therefore, require an undergarment created for that style of gown.  Fredericks.com has just such a garment that allows for low cut or plunging necklines, and is constructed to create a perfectly smooth hourglass shape.

Regardless of the design features of your ballroom costume, every dancer wants to be sure their costumes enhance their particular body shape.  Figure flattering undergarments can create lasting impressions and be your best kept secret.  Be sure to find the one that works well for your particular ballroom dress.

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Ballroom Dancing in Dallas

Posted on November 12, 2011 by

Dallas offers Ballroom and Latin dancers so many opportunities for dancing.  The ballroom community here is very active.   If you are new to the ballroom scene, you may feel somewhat intimidated to try it.  The majority of people who try ballroom and latin dancing for the 1st time try it just for fun.   Everyone has different goals and dreams for dance which develop over time.    Some of the most popular goals for dancing include: preparing for a wedding dance, fitting in and dancing confidently at parties and social events, and dancing to compete in ballroom dance competitions.  As a new hobby or endeavor, fitting it into your schedule and your routine is a process.  To improve your ballroom and latin dance skills, it is helpful to combine several methods into this process. Group lessons, private lessons with a local dance instructor, and social dancing at least once a week are effective in advancing your skills more rapidly.

Finding a great ballroom and latin dance studio can make your dance journey fascinating and fun.  If the studio is located close to your home or work, it will facilitate your attendance for lessons.  From there, you will find a good dance instructor who will help you to develop at a faster pace.  Regular private lessons are essential to learn partnering, steps, patterns, styling, etc. and will assist you in a faster learning cycle.  I always video tape my private lessons, so I can review the material and instruction as many times as needed to enhance my comprehension.

Ballroom dancing in Dallas is an amazing and thrilling activity, provides great exercise, and an enjoyable opportunity to meet new people with similar interests.  If you think you might be interested in trying ballroom and latin dancing, start with a group lesson at a local studio to see what you think.  You might find that it is an entertaining and lively hobby.

 

 

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The Joys of Pro/Am Ballroom Dance Competition

Posted on October 19, 2011 by

Sheraton South Padre Island I recently returned from an exciting ballroom dancing competition in South Padre Island, Texas. This was the first event in the Texas Triple Crown, the South Padre Island Invitational, which will also include an event in Austin, Texas, and a new venue in Puerto Rico.  Hosted by two great event organizers, Brock Geeslin and David Martin, this pro/am ballroom competition in Padre was so special; it was held in the beautiful Pearl Resort, formerly the Sheraton Fiesta.  It is a relatively small boutique hotel, compared to other events I have attended, but this gorgeous hotel is located right on the beach, and most if not all rooms are equipped with ocean views.  So if you take the time to enjoy the tropical surroundings, there is so much to appreciate.  Small pleasures like a walk on the beach, or an outdoor table for an oceanview sunset are there for the taking.  The smell of the salty air, the sounds of the waves and the gulls, and warm sands under your feet are so refreshing after a day on the dance floor.

The best part of being away at a ballroom dance competition is the camaraderie among the ballroom community.  Amateur dancers as well as  professional competitors are such a positive and supportive group, and no matter what your level of dancing is, you feel so uplifted just being a part of this beautiful group of people.  When these pro/am couples are dancing, it is very competitive, but still everyone is so gracious and supportive.  Whether you win or lose, everyone has fun because of the shear love of dancing.  Getting to meet new people, the opportunity to reconnect with old friends, and to see some really beautiful dancers make these events a joyful thing.

There is always a sense of loss when I leave a competition, not because I don’t want to go home, but just because I don’t want to lose that sense of euphoria that being in that exciting environment brings.  The glamourous ballroom dance costumes, the wonderful music, the fellowship, cash prizes, and always the dancing…..so hard to come back to a regular life.  Makes me look forward to the next one even more.

Posted in Ballroom Dancewear, Ballroom Dancing, Competitive Dancing, Dance Apparel, Ladies Ballroom Dance Costumes | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Custom Ballroom Costumes Made My Day

Posted on September 23, 2011 by

Feedback is fabulous – especially when it’s positive.   I got another great email today and wanted to share the love:

Hi, Nancy!
I received the two costumes today!
Thank you – the colors are perfect for me, and while i like both and they look great, the smooth dress looks particularly flattering!
Thank you!
Cheers

Theresa

It’s so nice when you order something online and receive it in the mail and quickly find out it is perfect for you.  Custom made ballroom costumes are a collaborative effort really, because we make it to your specifications and to fit your measurements.  It’s bound to be the right color and fabric because you get to choose it!  Of course, if you order something ready-made from me and it just doesn’t work for you, you can always return it – you are always protected.  But it’s so nice when you don’t have to mess with that and the item just works!  I do my best to share the sizing info and pictures and colors in a way that makes it easier for you to really figure out if the item will work for you.  Buying online doesn’t have to be a hassle, if you do it with the right company!   I so appreciate the feedback, and love hearing what people think once they get their order.  Always feel free to share your feedback.  It just makes my day!

Posted in Ballroom Dancewear, Ballroom Dancing, Competitive Dancing, Dance Apparel, Ladies Ballroom Dance Costumes, Latin Dancewear | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

How to Get Shiny Ballroom Dancesport Hair

Posted on September 18, 2011 by

Recently a customer asked me if I had any products for helping her get that wet and highly glossed look that is so predominantly seen in ballroom competition hairstyles.  While I don’t sell any particular products for hair, I do have some recommendations and some tips on how to achieve that beautiful look.

Hair and makeup for the lady in ballroom dance competitions are just as important as their ballroom dance dresses.  Updos and slicked back buns in ballroom dancing competitions are not only traditional, but also very practical because the hair is not flying around in their face or in their partner’s face.  The judges also prefer to see a competitor’s hair away from the face, smooth and confined, allowing them a view of a nice neck line (which is in high regard in dancesport).

Professional hair and makeup vendors attend most of the larger competition events, but even so, I know of many competitors who prefer to do their own make up and hair.  An elegant chignon or french twist are examples of simple hairstyles for ballroom competitions, and some that you can do yourself.  The goal is to have your hair neat and slick, with no loose, wispy strands.

Simple Chignon Hairstyle for Ballroom DancesportA secure chignon starts with freshly washed and conditioned damp hair and a ponytail. Work a light layer of gel into the length of your hair before you begin, and spray lightly as you go along. Using a fine brush and old fashioned aerosol-hairspray, brush and spray, brush and spray, smoothing down all the strands as you go.  Add in extra gel as needed to keep hair confined.  With the hair secure in a low ponytail (use several tiny rubber bands from a beauty supply), begin turning the ends either under for the chignon, or wrap to one side for the twist.  Add a rhinestone ponytail holder or barrette for pizzazz.  You can twist in sections to secure the ends if not all your hair is the same length. Use crossed bobbie pins wherever possible and plan to use as many as two dozen pins on one hairstyle.  As the gel sets, give your hair one or two more light coats of spray and lightly blow dry to set the spray (this also had a ton of shine).   I find  Frizz-Ease® 100% Shine® Glossing Mist or a similar product helps to ensure a smooth finish and beautiful shine.  And there you have it – Beautiful and shiny Dancesport hair!

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One Dancer’s Dream and a Beautiful Life

Posted on September 11, 2011 by

While in the throes of my awkward early teen years (13 years old to be exact) I discovered my love for dance. Music from The Supremes, Simon & Garfunkle, and The Righteous Brothers was playing on the radio and provided accompaniment to endless hours of imitating the dancing I had watched on TV shows like “Lawrence Welk”.  Anything that brings joy in those tumultuous years is a relief for parents, and mine dedicated what little extra funds they could save to piano lessons for me and my sisters.   Although I never had the opportunity to take dance lessons as a young girl, the piano lessons paid off in terms of musicality, timing, and a sense of joy in artistic interpretation.

By the time I was 16, high school presented an opportunity for the closest thing to dance that was offered:  Drill Team.  With no formal training, I practiced jazz moves and steps that I had picked up from TV and showed up for tryouts.  By some divine intervention, I’m sure, I not only made the team, but was elected Lieutenant the first year and Captain the second year.  The determination I developed during those years was the driving force that would see me through many other challenges in life.

Those beautiful memories are decades in the past now and my own family has grown since then. Faced with the empty nest, new possibilities emerged.  ABC announced a new reality show called “Dancing With The Stars”.   From the first episode of Season 1, I have been consumed with the unfolding drama created in the development and transition of ordinary people into ballroom dancers.

Without exception, at one point or another, there is testimony from each contestant relating the difficulty of this process. But they are given a professional dance partner and an opportunity to dance as many hours a day as they can either endure or carve out of their schedule in preparation of their routines.  Sounds like pure heaven to me!

Nancy & Randy in Pro/Am Smooth Competition

Randy & Nancy, Southeastern States Dancesport Competition, New Orleans, La.

And with that thought in mind, I went in search of a dance studio, and in the process, found what has become my passion and my business.  I was lucky enough to find a wonderful professional dance partner (just like those featured on “Dancing With The Stars”) and although it isn’t possible for me to dance for 8-10 hours a day physically or financially, over the past several years he has been patiently and gradually molding me into an accomplished ballroom dancer. This is a dream come true for me and one I am thankful for every day.

Feeling so connected to this ballroom community – which is truly such a lovely group of people – has meant so much and offering them beautiful costumes and dancewear has brought a lot of joy.  I’ve met some great people and heard some incredible stories from the people buying my dancewear and shoes.  It’s rare for a hobby to become a sustainable business but mine has. I love helping people with fit and fashions in dance apparel and costumes, and just generally being around dancers, competitions, beautiful music, and beautiful dancing.

I understand the challenges of finding the right look in costuming at an affordable price, and I have focused my product offerings around quality and value as well as convenience and comfort.  I am always available as a resource to my customers and enjoy providing a high level of personalized customer service that is unexpected and exceptional.

Posted in About Dancing, Ballroom Dance Shoes, Ballroom Dancewear, Ballroom Dancing, Competitive Dancing, Dance Apparel, Dance as an Art Form, Ladies Ballroom Dance Costumes, Latin Dance Shoes, Latin Dancewear, Latin Practice Wear, men's latin dancewear, Salsa Dresses | Tagged , , , , , , | 5 Comments

A Playboy Bunny and My Ballroom Dance Shoes?

Posted on September 9, 2011 by

 Yep, it’s true. A Playboy Bunny wore my shoes!  OK, so it was an actress playing a Playboy Bunny, but it’s still pretty cool!

CD5100M White Satin-Pointed Toe Dance Shoes

CD5100M White Satin Dance Shoes

We were so excited to get an order for our CD5100M White Satin Dance Shoes (manufactured by Very Fine Dance Shoes) from NBC’s new show ‘The Playboy Club’.  We were told that Colbie Callait appears in the scene where they are featured in one episode – can’t wait to see that!  I’m looking forward to checking out the new show and seeing my shoes shine in the spotlight. Be sure to tune in to the premiere episode on Monday, September 19, 10/9 central on NBC.

The shoes are already famous – check out this video clip and you’ll catch a glimpse.  At about 1:38 into the video you’ll see a beautiful pair of white satin shoes sashaying across the floor:  The Playboy Club – Wearing the Costume

If only those shoes could talk, we’d get the inside scoop on a brand new show!  For now we’ll have to settle for watching these clips and waiting for the show to come out.

Thanks for allowing me to share my excitement with you and thanks to ‘The Playboy Club’ for choosing my shoes for some of your cast.  It’s an honor.

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Custom Mens Latin Shirt brings “a Million Thanks”

Posted on August 26, 2011 by

I adore happy customers!  And I love it when my customers are pleased enough with the items they purchase from our ballroom store to write a thank you note.  My goal with every customer is to provide a beautiful and top-quality product that fits perfectly, and to provide it with personalized, prompt service.

When someone takes time out of their busy schedule to write a letter of praise, it means so much.  To be the receiver of one of these letters brings me the greatest joy and pride, knowing I have impacted that person’s life in a small but meaningful way. Aside from the praise I just love hearing who is wearing my items and when.

Latin Shirt AIDA MT46

AIDA MT46 Latin Shirt

I was happy to wake up to this email today:

SUBJECT:  A MILLION THANKS

“I just got the shirt…all I can say is WOW…very nice….I cannot tell you how professional and prompt the service was.  I will most certainly recommend this site to my other dancer friends.  Will be dancing in this shirt today with my partner,  Just an amazing job from you and your crew. PS I will be ordering from your site again   ;)”

Thank you, Patrick,  I am so appreciative!

Busy day for me, so I’m off now but let me leave you with this….I’m so happy I got to share this email with you today and thank YOU for taking time out of your busy schedule to read this post.  My question for my readers:  How can I serve you today?  Check out our full line of mens latin and ballroom shirts, ladies latin skirts, and more.

Posted in About Dancing, Men's Ballroom/Latin Dancewear, men's latin dancewear, Mens Latin Dance Shirts | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

A Dance of Love…..

Posted on August 21, 2011 by

For a full seven minutes, enjoy this stunning couple as they share with viewers a sensual, vertical expression of horizontal desire…..amazing athleticism, so beautiful and compelling to watch:

Posted in About Dancing, Dance as an Art Form, Entertainment | Tagged , | Leave a comment