SHOULD I TAKE A PRIVATE LESSON, OR GROUP CLASSES? It depends what you want, and how much of a hurry you are in. Group classes are the better value, because you get 8 hours of instruction for $65 ( for a single person) or $100 (for a couple), and they area spread over 4 weeks of time, which allows for more structured practice under a guided hand, fostering better retention of the material. You also meet other dancers and can build a dance community, which will enhance your pleasure when you go out to dance at clubs and special events. Private lessons are not as cost-effective -- $70 for just 1 hour -- but they are tailored to exactly what you want, and go at your pace. These are particularly helpful for last minute preparations for special events such as weddings, anniversaries, reunions and quinceaneras. CAN I TAKE GROUP CLASSES BY MYSELF, OR MUST I COME WITH A PARTNER? Those who come with a partner will start class with that person (and spend most of class time with them); those who come alone will be partnered with other single attendees -- but once class is underway, we all will rotate partners. The primary reason for this is the fact that no two people will learn at the same rate, and it isn't easy to be partnered for 2 hours with someone who is either so fast that they intimidate you, or so slow that they frustrate you. This situation usually results either in 1 partner trying to 'teach' the other (as if the teacher wasn't already teaching both people), or in 1 partner 'compensating' for the other by just doing the move on their own, whether or not it was lead properly. All these problems are avoided when we rotate and dance with other people. An added advantage is that the teacher is in the rotation, so everyone in class gets to dance with the teacher and learn what the moves are supposed to feel like. WHAT SHOES SHOULD I WEAR? DO I NEED SPECIAL DANCE SHOES? No, you don't need special dance shoes. Just be sure your footwear meets these 3 criteria: (1) be comfortable (2) slide on the floor (3) stay on your foot while walking backwards (no flip flops!). I occasionally wear professional dance shoes but more often am in dance sneakers, or moccasins, or worn-down tennis shoes. HOW SHOULD I DRESS? Comfort is the first criteria, and ease of movement is the second. Casual jeans and t-shirts are fine. The things to AVOID: 1. Don't wear baggy sleeves, these will interfere with how you and your partner hold each other. 2. Don't wear sleeveless tops, or spaghetti straps -- you will sweat when you dance, which will make you slippery. 3. Ladies, don't wear pencil skirts, or heavy denim skirts, or broomstick skirts -- these will trip you up. 4. Be sure jewelry is safe: no long necklaces which can hit your partner, no rings or bracelets which can catch on clothes, no dangly earrings. WHAT DANCE(S) SHOULD I LEARN? What type of music do you like, and what clubs do you plan to frequent? If you are into Rock and Roll music, look into the Swing dances: jitterbug, lindy, east coast swing, west coast swing, or hustle. If you like Latin music, check out mambo, salsa, merengue, rumba, cha-cha and bachata. If Ballroom is more your style, look for ballroom waltz, foxtrot and tango. For C&W music, start with Two Step, but don't forget western waltz, polka, triple two step and night club two step (slow dancing). WHAT DOES IT MEAN "TO LEAD"? "Leading" means telling your partner (without words), when and where to step. The "when" is the rhythm; the "where" is the pattern. Every step of a dance must be communicated to your partner. This does not involve strength or power; ladies prefer gentle leads. What is needed is CLARITY, COURTESY and CENTERING. WHAT DOES IT MEAN "TO FOLLOW"? "Following" means stepping when and where you are led. Another way to say this: the follower needs to match the leader's steps, in size, speed and direction. The hardest part about following is resisting the temptation to 'fix' things. If the leader gets off rhythm, the follower should do the same; if the leader speeds up or slows down, the follower should do the same. To do this, the follower should concentrate on their FOOTWORK, FRAME and FOCUS. IS IT HARDER TO LEAD? OR TO FOLLOW? Both leaders and followers have to learn the basic rhythm of the dance, and the fundamental steps. But the leader also has to learn patterns to lead, and has to remember them; he has to decide which patterns he want to do, and when; and he has to communicate his intentions to the follower. Plus, he has to navigate traffic and watch out for the other dancers on the floor. And, oh yeah, he has to stay on beat with the music! There is no question that, in the learning stage, the leader has by far the most difficult job. However, once you are past the learning stage, it is harder on the followers. You see, if the leader doesn't know a move, he won't lead it. If he doesn't like a move, he won't lead it. And for those moves that he does know and does like, he won't lead them until he is ready. But for the follower, she is still expected to do the move, whether or not she knows it; whether or not she likes it; whether or not she is ready for it. Once the lady says 'yes' to a gentleman who asks her to dance, she has no choice about anything for the duration of that song, whereas the gentleman can pick and choose his moves. WHERE CAN WE GO IN CENTRAL TEXAS FOR C&W DANCING? Mavericks (next to Cabela's on IH35 in Buda / Kyle) Texas Old Town (Kyle) Gruene Hall (Gruene) Kings & Queen's (New Braunfels) Watering Hole (New Braunfels) Cowboys (San Antonio) Thirsty Horse (San Antonio) Martinez' (south of Randolph AFB) OLD STYLE TEXAS DANCE HALLS (usually open only 1 night per month - check online for their schedule) Twin Sisters (south of Blanco on Hwy 281) Kendalia (south of Blanco on Hwy 281) Anhalt (west of Bulverde / Spring Branch on Hwy 46) Floores Country Store Geronimo's Riley's Tavern