A Guide to Where to Find Swing Dancing In Las Vegas

A Guide to Where to Find Swing Dancing in Las Vegas

In an online pamphlet entitled Beginner’s Guide to the Las Vegas Swing Dancing Scene, written by an author with the first name of David and no last name that is given, you can find various places to swing dance the night away.  This pamphlet was put together with the person who is new to Las Vegas dancing in mind.  It seems to be a simple and easy to follow guide for someone who does not know the city well but loves to dance this style of ballroom.

This guide focuses on three weekly events to take into consideration of you are a beginner to the swing dance community of Las Vegas. Here are the venues as the author lays them out:

“Aruba Swings”- This beginner’s outing takes place at the historic Aruba Hotel right on the strip.  There is a free beginner’s lesson and a dance night on every Fri night except the firs Fri of the Month.  The music is done by a DJ who is also an instructor by the name of Mark Brunton.  Look for the thunderbird lounge and be prepared for a great night of dancing and a nightclub atmosphere. You must be 21 years of age to attend but other than that the sky’s the limit.

“Swing Nights at Las Palmas”- This venue takes place on Wednesday nights and is held inside the Mexican restaurant Las Palmas.  There is a free lesson before the open dance night begins so if you arrive early enough you can enjoy some great food and then work off those extra calories dancing to your heart’s content.

“UNLV Lindy Hop Dance Club”- Each week this club offers a host of free dance classes as well as dance events although many of the student and members can be seen at the first two events mentioned above. If you go their website they have information on the history of the Lindy Hop as well as an upcoming calendar of events to be able to get together with other like minded individuals.

As a mobile dance instructor, it is nice to be able to point out places to go for my students as they are practicing their skills from my one on one instruction.  My name is Jeremy Guzman, and I will come to you at the place of your choice or I will meet you at a studio in the Las Vegas and surrounding areas.  If you would like to visit my website at www.BallroomDanceSpot.com you will see all of the ways that I try to make ballroom dance lessons in Las Vegas convenient and affordable, especially for new subscribers. Ballroom dancing is a great way to meet new people while doing something you love that is good for you as well.  You have nothing to lose and everything to gain!

Las Vegas Ballroom Dancing Meet Up Group

Las Vegas Ballroom Dancing Meet Up Group

With all of the shows and activities going on in the state itself, dancing in Las Vegas is more than just a hobby.  For many it is part of their job as well as something fun and exciting to do.  Fortunately, there is a meet up group for Ballroom dancing and Las Vegas residents that encourage people who have dance in common to get together and take part in events both in the city and elsewhere.  To date they have held over 400 successful events that rotate around western dance steps like the two step and go all the way through ballroom dance steps that include the lindy hop, salsa, swing and much much more.

So far, the experience has proven to be so positive that there are 424 dancers in the meet up group and it is growing daily. In fact, one of the best things according to present members is the fact that a partner is not needed because at all of the events they take turns and rotate partners throughout the night so that no dancers are left out or alone and everyone gets a chance to practice and improve.

In order to get the group as much exposure as possible, they rely on members to get the word out through various marketing ideas.  They have cards you can print off, they have cards that utilize their face book presence, they have flyers and so on, and are currently even courting sponsors to help und some of the trips they have on the calendar for this coming year.

The group was founded by Regina Shipigel and her partner in life and on the dance floor Donnie. They are active competitors in ballroom, with Donnie being a west coast swing and country champion, and Regina being a Salsa Champion.  Their goal is to take their 30 years plus dance experience and build a larger dance community in Las Vegas with places to go and explore a love of ballroom.

If you would like to learn how to begin or learn how to expand on ballroom dances that you already know, visit www.BallroomDanceSpot.com and learn about all of the exciting opportunities I, Jeremy Guzman, can offer you as an instructor due to the fact that I will come to you or meet you at a studio near you if you are in the Las Vegas or surrounding area. This way, when you are ready to join a meet up group like the one highlighted above you will truly be ready to dance, dance, dance!

Las Vegas Studens and Ballroom Dancing

Las Vegas Students and Ballroom Dancing

In Las Vegas, ballroom dancing has become an extremely popular way to spend some time learning a new set of dance moves, getting in touch with a new exercise regimen, and having a new outlet for fun and enjoyment.  While it is mainly the young adult and adult crowds who have really taken advantage of this new craze, a high risk school in Las Vegas Nevada is changing all of that and trying to bring this wonderful opportunity to students as well.

At Eldorado high school, which is considered by many to be called a high risk school, the students have been offered a new class right after school that includes ballroom dancing.  In fact, students are taught a little bit of everything from salsa, disco, and other more traditional ballroom dances.

This class is lead by teacher Tony Delgado and is currently attended by 30 students and 10 faculty members.  He insists that the dance classes are is a great way to bring together different nationalities as well as students that would otherwise never find a reason to interact with one another. Principal Lisa Cano has taken the hit television show Dancing With the Stars and renamed their own program Dancing With the Sun Devils, and is proud at how well the program is coming along. 

For the students, the feedback about ballroom dancing is even stronger.  For example, a number of the girls in the program have expressed that it is nice when the boys in the program treat them with a certain measure of respect which they feel is absent from their everyday interaction with them.  They also express how nice it is to actually be asked to dance for a change as most of their dancing at school functions is all about girls just sitting and waiting and guys being way too cool to ask them to dance.

This group has also taken the power of dance and used it for philanthropic interests as they used a performance that they held to pay for a child to fly from Indonesia to New York to get medical attention that couldn’t be done otherwise.

My name is Jeremy Guzman, and they call me the mobile ballroom dance instructor because I am so committed to getting ballroom dancing out to anyone who is interested by either meeting at a studio of your choice or I will even come to a home or work environment. In this way, I hope to have ballroom dancing be something that everyone can enjoy.  Check out www.BallroomDanceSpot.com

And see if there’s anything there that appeals to you.  I offer a wide variety of perks to new subscribers so don’t be shy, and see if ballroom may be the next big adventure waiting for you.

The Ballroom Dance Legend Arthur Murray

The Ballroom Dance Legend Arthur Murray

Even at first glance, when one looks upon the trademark moniker that highlights a silhouette of a man and woman dancing, one is swept away into a world of stylish and graceful romantic dance moves that are mirrored by the long standing career of Arthur Murray. What began as a means to earn a little extra money on the side became a franchise that has hundreds of studios across the country bearing his name.

The dance legend was born to Austrian immigrants in lower Manhattan under the name Moses Teichman but it wasn’t until the World War 1when he decided to change his name to Arthur Murray in order to keep teaching classes without making Jewish patrons uncomfortable due to his German Heritage and German sounding name. He attended college in Georgia and continued to work his way through school by teaching dance lessons on the side.

His emergence as a leader in ballroom dance came after the late 1900’s when the jazz era really got into swing and a host of new dances came out like the chicken scratch that people were eager to learn.  In addition to being able to dance well, he established himself as an early marketer by taking advantage of the mail order business to promote and sell his classes via that avenue.  He also worked o organize dances and get groups together to promote ballroom.

In 1925 Arthur married his dancing partner Kathryn and they ended up having twin girls, and opening up a dance studio of their own when the mail order business declined in popularity.  One of the signature styles he created was the use of the footprint to help define and show simple dance steps to students everywhere. His last idea was to franchise his dance techniques and so he trained dance teachers to be able to teach for the Satler Hotel, and then take their moves and expand them to teach at the major hotel chains. Murray was able to keep a percentage of the funds earned and as a result ended up franchising his brand and his name in the process. He died at the age of 95, and is to this day known as the most successful dance instructor of all time.

My name is Jeremy Guzman, and I too have created a special niche within the ballroom venue by creating a mobile program that will come to your home or office or meet you at a studio of your choice in the Las Vegas area at your convenience.  Visit BallroomDanceSpot.com and see how Arthur Murray inspired me to think outside the box and try to reach as many students as possible to show them just how fabulous ballroom dancing can be!

So You Think You Can Dance:The Finale

So You Think You Can Dance: The Finale

It’s Official!  A crumper has won the sixth season of So You Think You Can Dance. It’s amazing really if you consider that he had to have beat out thousands of other dancers just to get on to the show to begin with.  Let alone, outdo 20 of the top rated dancers in the country.  As of last night, Russell Ferguson has been awarded the title of America’s favorite dancer as well as $250,000.

The show began with the final 6 contestants performing a fabulous dance number that had everyone out of their seats screaming and cheering right off the bat. The six other finalists included the married ballroom dancing couple and Latin ballroom competitors Ashleigh and Ryan Di Lello, Jacob Karr, Kathryn McCormick, and Elenore Scott.  All of these dancers were so wonderful that any one of them could have pulled it out.  In the end, it is estimated that Russell received the most amount of public votes because he was originally a hip hop and crumper based dancer who was able to perform the quickstep, the waltz, Paso Doble and the Rumba from the ballroom style of dance as well lyrical, Bollywood, and an African contemporary piece to show how versatile he had become throughout the competition.

As far as the Ballroom dancing husband and wife, they performed a heartwarming lyrical piece where you could feel the love that they felt for one another, and then backed that up with a fast and funky jive that showed just how fantastic their dance skills as a competitive duo really are.

The rest of the night was filled with wonderful guest star performances by American Idol runner up Adam Lambert, Mary J. Blige, Leona Lewis, and Jennifer Lopez who reminded all of the dancers that this competition was really the beginning of their careers and not the end even if they were eliminated.

If this show has inspired you to consider ballroom dancing and you are in the Las Vegas and surrounding area, feel free to visit www.BallroomDanceSpot.com and look at all of the things that I, Jeremy Guzman, am offering to new subscribers.  Start dancing today and who knows, season seven of So You Think You Can Dance starts in January 2010!

Survey Says: Ballroom Dancing Makes Top 10 for 2010!

Survey Says: Ballroom Dancing Makes Top 10 for 2010!

It used to be that if you wanted to find a way to lose weight and just attain a more healthy style of living, you could join a gym and weight lift or walk on cardio machines but that was about it. If you wanted to experience any kind of movement, you could take an old fashioned aerobics class or try to join a dance studio and keep up with the teenagers if you were up to it.  Today, there is a whole new world with regards to exercise and movement and groups like ACE, otherwise known as the American Council on Exercise, is a governing body that keeps track of the hot new trends in fitness sweeping the nation.

In its new survey that just came out highlighting new trends for 2010 in the fitness industry, ballroom dancing was number three! Along with zumba, bollywood, and other high movement classes that get the workout done while still retaining a high degree of fun, fun fun!

One of the reasons it ranked so high on the list is the fact that according to the survey’s findings, fitness consumers are looking for the ways that they can exercise that have the biggest bang for their buck so to speak.  They want to do something that can raise the cardio levels quickly and efficiently to a place that allows them to get in there and get on with it, where there is a chance for results at a faster pace.

Also, Ace is saying that ballroom dancing and other forms of high energy dance options like it are working for consumers because they are so enjoyable to do, people are more likely to stick with it which makes for an even better track record and more secure and long lasting transformations.

If you are interested in seeing if the findings of Ace have any merit at all, and you are about to have a New Year’s resolution that includes getting into better shape in a fun and healthy way, then check out BallroomDanceSpot.com and see all of the really great deals that I, Jeremy Guzman, will offer you if you want to try ballroom dance instruction as a way to inspire a change in exercise pattern for 2010.  If you are looking for a good strong workout, then learning some of the Latin Ballroom Dances Like the mambo or salsa might be for you.  It’s a brand new year coming up, why not try a different approach?

Give the Gift of Ballroom

Give the Gift of Ballroom

It is hard sometimes during the holidays to look at how vast a family can be and decide just what the right gift would be for each and every person.  In fact, for many the idea of gift giving is directly tied and related to a present of some sort that is an object of material wealth. Fortunately, with ballroom dance becoming such a hot item with the hit television shows like Dancing with the Stars, it is creating an opportunity for people to think outside the box and consider offering a series of lessons as a gift instead of utilizing a more traditional choice.

So let’s take a look at a few of our family members that might really appreciate this type of a gift.  First of all we will begin with the grandparents. If one or both of them are in descent health, they would probably love a return to some of the memories they shared when they were younger. If one of the couple is no longer living, then it may be a great way to get the remaining person to have some fun doing something that he/she used to share with his/her significant other.

The next set of family members that really benefit from the gift of ballroom dancing would be mom and dad. If they hardly ever get to spend any quality time together this may be the perfect way to purchase them a date night that they can’t make any more excuses about or try to get out of. If you are a spouse considering this gift for your significant other, bravo! It will be a great time to hold each other close and learn to dance and exercise in a new and exciting way.

Working our way down the family ladder, the next participant that would be a great candidate for a series of ballroom dance lessons would be a teenage son or daughter.  If he/she has a girlfriend or boyfriend, then this would be the perfect ice breaker and a type of date that would allow for the couple to have fun and learn how to do something at the same time.

Don’t forget how great lessons would be for just about any family member who is single and looking for love.  It will be a great way to get him/her out into the world and experiencing something new. Who knows, it may even lead to the person seeking out some places to show off their new skills, which may just then lead to….

My name is Jeremy Guzman, and I own and operate a mobile ballroom dance program for Las Vegas residents.  I will come to you at your convenience or I will meet you or anyone you have purchased lessons for as a gift at a studio near you or the recipient. If you want to learn to tango, or waltz, or learn how to salsa the night away, I can help you discover this wonderful world of dance and if you visit BallroomDanceSpot.com you will see why giving the gift of ballroom dance could be the greatest present of all!

Simply Ballroom, a Stage Show By Jon Conway

Simply Ballroom, a Stage Show by Jon Conway

With the popularity of television shows like Dancing with the Stars and So You Think You Can Dance drawing in millions of viewers each season, and hit movies like Dance With Me with Jennifer Lopez continuing to be a strong box office draw, it’s no wonder that the ballroom dance craze is isn’t showing any signs of slowing down. In fact, if you were a Las Vegas native or a tourist who was in the city that never sleeps you may have had a chance to check out the showroom at the Golden Nugget where they offered a perfect way to get your fix with the local hit, Simply Ballroom before it moved on to its next destination.

The show itself hails from London’s popular west end, and showcases 10 of the top competitive ballroom dancers around the world. Each couple is given a dance to do that vibes with their particular style so that the audience gets to see the very best of what they have to offer. The other feature that makes the show special that it has an interactive element that allows the audience to learn certain basic steps during apportion of the performance.

Originally the show gained in popularity and toured internationally before settling for a while at the Golden Nugget in Las Vegas. Presently, a new tour is in the works and as soon as a destination or series of destination becomes available it will be posted as an update to the site. Jon Conway, who is one of the top theater producers overseas, has brought the show to the states and so far has opened to rave reviews at places that he has showcased this ballroom dance phenomenon.

Each skit is designed to tell a story and reveal a little about the history of the dance and how it came to be and then a performance if presented and according to its creator Jon Conway, it will appeal to someone who knows quite a lot about ballroom dance or nothing at all.  Many of the written reviews show that a fan favorite is the portion of the show that highlights the Tango.

If you are all about catching as many shows like this one as you can, or watching as many television shows as you can get your TiVo to save, then maybe it’s time to stop watching other people dance, and join in the fun yourself.  Visit BallroomDanceSpot.com and find out how many great opportunities there are in the Las Vegas area to begin to learn to Ballroom dance.