Review of Cha-cha class at Dance Conmigo Party July 7th

http://www.danceconmigo.com/
Dance Conmigo host a party the first Saturday of every month.
On July 7th 2012, Dance Conmigo Taught a Club Style Cha-Cha class composed of basic steps and right turns.

Thank you to all of you who participated and those of you who were not able to make it, we will have our next Dance Conmigo party on August 4. We will be teaching a West Coast Swing Class.

Got Two Left Feet? Know someone who does? We can help!

(by Cheryl Williams)
If I had a dollar for every time someone told me they have two left feet, no rhythm, or simply cannot dance, I think I could retire!  After teaching hundreds of students over the past 15 years I almost enjoy hearing this initial defeatist attitude, all for the sheer pleasure of then proving them wrong.  I understand how the uninitiated can be intimidated at first, watching partner dancers move effortlessly across a dance floor together.  I remember my own mystification as an adolescent when I once saw two of my jazz ballet peers swing dancing.  How does she know what to do, I thought?  How do they both know?

Like many things in life, dance can be enjoyed on many different levels; as a great social activity, as fun physical conditioning, as an art, or as something to develop and challenge oneself in the form of competition.  One’s success in this endeavor, to dance, depends on many things including natural ability, dedication to learning, a sense of music, committed practice, coordination etc.  But, to my experience, there is another key factor that basically overrides all the others.  The grand majority of successful students, once introduced to dance, all seem to possess this one particular trait:  They find it fun.

photo credit: Jun Ogata

It is not unusual for students to ask me; “How long before I’m good at Salsa? (or Tango, or Ballroom, or West Coast Swing?)”  It is a difficult question to answer, if only because being “good” at dance can mean so many things. Do they mean, when will they look good? or when will they feel more in control?  Are they asking when will they be confident enough to ask a beautiful stranger to dance, or are they planning to audition for So You Think You Can Dance?  In any case, the answer is different for everyone and depends on a combination of many factors, some previously mentioned. My first reaction is always to ask my students if they are enjoying the process of learning.  If they are, I know it’s just a question of time before they look and feel more confident.  It could take 3 months, 3 years, a lifetime, but when you are having fun along the way, the amount of time it takes matters less.



In the late 90s, during the early Swing revival days in Montreal, I remember attending a dance night with three fellow enthusiasts.  At that time, all the local swing dancers were novices.  One of the leaders from my group had phenomenal ability and could make me dance all kinds of steps.  The two others were less natural but, due to their love of the dance, are still a part of the swing scene today and have become highly sought-after partners.  The leader with the great ability did not continue and when I danced with him a few years after that first night, I noted his dancing had not evolved at all.  He was still a good dancer but not nearly as good as the two others, who had less ability but more enthusiasm.



If you have always thought of dance as inaccessible, believing you just don’t “have it”, I encourage you to give it a try - maybe even 3 tries.  You could be surprised.  I have had success teaching many people how to pick out a beat, how to learn a pattern, how to connect with a partner etc.  I have seen many men come into the studio because their significant other has twisted their arm, only to later see the same men booking extra lessons because they are enjoying it so much. Just the fact that you have thought about dancing suggests to me that it is something you should explore.



If you want to try a dance class, consider attending one of our open monthly parties, which take place the first Saturday of every month.  The next Dance Conmigo party is Saturday, June 2nd, and features a crash course in RUMBA from 8pm-9pm, followed by general dancing til midnight.  For details, consult the Dance Conmigo website: http://www.danceconmigo.com/dchome

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Why I dance... Pourquoi je danse...

This video was created to support the goals of Ontario Dances. Ontario Dances is a program of the Ontario Arts Council (OAC).

Canadians express all the reasons of why they dance. Here at Dance Conmigo, we share all the same reasons. Dancing is shared by all societies in different forms. Here in our class rooms, who you are and what you do does not matter, the only thing that matters is "how much you love your dance?". There is no color nor race, no social status, no level of intellect, no region nor political association. In our dance floor, no one cares. The things that we care about are: Are you following the beat of the music? Are you guiding your partner clearly? Do you understand the signals that your partner gives you? and more important of all... Are you having fun?

Dance Conmigo offer private and group classes in Salsa, Tango, WCS, and Ballroom.  Join us!

Spring Dance Session / Session de Printemps

Salsa! Ballroom! Argentine Tango! West Coast Swing! East Coast Swing!

Dance Conmigo's 10-week Spring Session of group classes starts the week of April 16th. Register NOW and secure your place.

Earlybird deadline is Tuesday, April 10th. Consult our Full Course Schedule for days and times! http://www.danceconmigo.com/schedule

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Inscrivez-vous MAINTENANT pour notre Session Printanière de 10 semaines qui commence la semaine de 16 avril…

Salsa! Ballroom! Tango Argentin! West Coast Swing! East Coast Swing!

La date limite "earlybird" est le mardi 10 avril. Consultez notre Page d'Horaire pour voir les jours et heures. http://www.danceconmigo.com/schedule-fr

Intercultural Program with École Josephine Dandurand

As part of its Intercultural program, École Josephine Dandurand has added to its regular field trip outing a dance lesson, offered in Spanish by Dance Conmigo. Students wanting to experience elements of Montreal's Spanish-speaking culture enjoy a day visiting Latin bookstores, eating at a Mexican restaurant and participating in activities conducted in Spanish. By taking a dance class in Spanish, students can reinforce their understanding of the language while picking up a fun and active social skill.



Dance Conmigo is happy to teach any of the dances in its curriculum in English, French or Spanish.

Four weeks of intermediate Slow Waltz Feb 13 - Mar 5 ($40)

Build on your basics and develop your dance vocabulary in these four-week "Level 2" sessions. Students are required to know the basics of the featured dance (as presented in Level 1) in order to register for these sessions. This program is designed to introduce many new figures while reinforcing basic technique, enabling students to feel more confident and expressive on the dance floor.

Feb 13 - Mar 5... Featured Dance : SLOW WALTZ
An offshoot of the faster Viennese Waltz, Slow Waltz is a romantic, elegant dance characterized by gliding, sweeping movement, Rise & Fall and Body Sway. Examples of Slow Waltz songs include; Are you Lonesome Tonight by Elvis Presley, Open Arms by Journey, and the Tennessee Waltz by Emmylou Harris.

To register click here: http://www.danceconmigo.com/ballroom

or write us an e-mail at dancecomigo@gmail.com

Winter 2012 Dance Classes / Cours de Danse 2012

Classes start Monday, January 16, 2012
at Dance Conmigo 3655 St-Laurent, suite 207. MONTREAL

Salsa... Tango... West Coast Swing... Ballroom !

Register NOW for our 12-week Winter Session starting the week of January 16th. EARLYBIRD DEADLINE IS TUESDAY, JANUARY 10TH. Consult our Course Schedules for days and times: http://www.danceconmigo.com/schedule

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Salsa... Tango... West Coast Swing... Ballroom !

Inscrivez-vous maintenant pour notre Session d'Hiver qui commence la semaine du 16 janvier. DATE LIMITE POUR S'INSCRIRE AUX PRIX REDUITS EST LE 10 JANVIER. Consultez, svp, notre Page d'Horaire pour les jours et heures des cours: http://www.danceconmigo.com/schedule-fr

FREE beginner's tango class - PLUS a 2-hour tango practice at Dance Conmigo.

Come to a FREE beginner's tango class - PLUS a 2-hour tango practice at Dance Conmigo.

Special guest teacher: Lynda Lyn (from Toronto)

Tango is already a passionate and sensual dance, but Lynda can take it to a higher level. Come and enjoy the femininity of her "Ochos", the seduction of her Boleos and her melting embrace techniques.

7pm-8pm: Intro to Tango class
8pm-10pm: open Tango dancing

Free entrance, bring your own drinks.

Other information:
* Dance Conmigo will be starting tango 1 & 2 classes on January 19. 12 weeks ($120).

* Dance Conmigo will add a Tango dance Floor to its monthly dance practices. Starting March 4, Dance Conmigo will have one dance floor for Ballroom and other general dancing, one dance floor for salsa and other Latin dances and one dance Floor for TANGO. I hope to have you all there.

FREE 20 Tickets for Canada got talent audition on January 11

Dance Conmigo and its students have been invited to be a part of the audience of the Montreal Audition Show for "Canada's Got Talent" at Théâtre St-Denis.

Please write us an e-mail to secure your ticket.

• Show Date: January 11, 2011
• Will Call Hours: 11:30am-12:45pm
• Doors Close: 1:00pm
• Amount of tickets: 20
• Location: Théâtre St Denis 1594 Rue Saint-Denis, Montréal, QC H2X 3K3
•
**EVERYONE MUST BE IN THEIR SEATS BY 1:00PM**
The preshow will begin promptly at 1:10PM and the show is live to tape at 1:30PM and last approximately 2 ½- 3 hours.

• Security is on site and prefers no video cameras, recording devices. Food, drinks, drugs, alcohol, or smoking are not allowed in the Theatre. Concessions are available on site. Flash photography is strictly forbidden as it will interfere with the cameras

Cheryl's birth day dance jam.

On December 27, Dance Conmigo celebrated Cheryl's birthday with a west coast swing dance jam.

Thank you Cheryl for all the force and inspiration that you have given to Dance Conmigo students.

Dance Conmigo Party, December 3, 2011 (Bachata class)

The first Saturday of every month, Dance Conmigo hosts a party which always starts with a beginner lesson. On December 3rd we taught a crash course in Bachata. Our next party is February 4th, 2012 - and the beginner lesson will be Slow Waltz (8pm-9pm).  Don't miss it!

Also, for the year 2012, we will be opening a 3rd dance floor. As always, the main dance floor will feature a mix of all the dance styles (Ballroom, Latin, Swing, WCS, Tango etc.), the second dance floor features just Salsa, Bachata, Merengue, Cha-Cha and - new this year - a third dance floor for Argentine Tango!   The entrance, including the beginner lesson plus three hours of general dancing, is $6. We hope that many of you will join us.

Intercultural Program features Dance Conmigo

As part of its Intercultural program, École Josephine Dandurand has added to its regular field trip outing a dance lesson, offered in Spanish by Dance Conmigo.   Students wanting to experience elements of Montreal's Spanish-speaking culture enjoy a day visiting Latin bookstores, eating at a Mexican restaurant and participating in activities conducted in Spanish.  By taking a dance class in Spanish, students can reinforce their understanding of the language while picking up a fun and active social skill.

Dance Conmigo is happy to teach any of the dances in its curriculum in English, French or Spanish.


École Josephine Dandurand 
90 rue Mackenzie-King
Saint-Jean-sur Richelieu  

Dance Teachers: Cheryl Williams and Alain Guillot

Happy Birth day Pierre & Catherine

Thank you so much for sharing your birth days at Dance Conmigo.

Happy Birth day Vic

It is such a pleasure to have you among our regulars. We hope to see you in many more birth days to come. The dance Conmigo team.

DANCE CONMIGO PARTY - Sat, Nov 5 , 8pm-midnight. WCS Intro class

Soirée Dance Conmigo
Samedi le 5 novembre- 20h-24h
au Studio Metronome

Joignez-vous à Dance Conmigo, au Studio Metronome (4557 St-Laurent, 3é étage), pour une magnifique soirée de danse:

20h-21h: Cours d'intro au West Coast Swing
21h-minuit: la danse générale dans deux salles:

Salle Amadeus: Salsa, Merengue, Bachata, Cha-Cha!
Salle Bach: Un mélange de toutes ! Waltz, Swing, Tango, West Coast Swing, Cha-Cha, Foxtrot, Samba, Rumba, Mambo, Hustle, Valse Viennoise...

Plus des présentations de danses et quelques surprises. Tout le monde est le bienvenue - de débutants à avancés! Invitez vos amis! Admission: $5

Dance Conmigo Party
Saturday, Nov 5th, 8pm-midnight
at Studio Metronome

Join Dance Conmigo at Studio Metronome (4557 St-Laurent, 3rd floor) Saturday, October 1st, for a great night of music and dancing!

8pm -9pm: Intro Class to West Coast Swing
9pm-12am: General Dancing in two rooms:

Room Amadeus: Salsa, Merengue, Bachata, ChaCha
Room Bach: a mix of everything! Waltz, Foxtrot, Cha-Cha, Mambo, Swing, West Coast Swing, Argentine Tango, Rumba, Samba, Hustle, Viennese Waltz...

plus dance presentations and surprise performances! Everyone welcome - beginners to advanced! Tell a friend. Entrance is $5

Barchelorette Party at Dance Conmigo

Dance Conmigo animate Barchelorette parties. In this event, 10 girls came to party before the party. They took a class of Hot Merengue and Bachata before heading to the club. If you or any of your friend is getting married, consider Dance Conmigo as part of the entertainment. We (I ) will be happy to help.

Six Week Ballroom Classes

Beginner Ballroom

Learn the basics of the most popular social ballroom dances. A fun partner endeavor, social dancing is also a wonderful physical activity to develop coordination, posture and poise. Learn the basic steps, dance hold, rhythm, timing & footwork for each of these dances - and look great at your next wedding or dance party event! Beginners are encouraged to take both "Smooth" and "Rhythm" classes during the same session to get exposed to both styles of social dance. However, students also have the option of taking just one class per session and focusing on the style of their choice. Register alone - or save $$ when you register with a partner before the deadline date!

Fall Session 2011 - Beginner Ballroom:
(half session of 6-weeks)

- Rhythm Dances (Swing & Samba)Mondays 6:30pm-7:30pm
Oct 31 - Dec 5, 2011
at Dance Conmigo (3655 St-Laurent, suite 207)

AND/OR

- Smooth Dances (Foxtrot & Viennese Waltz)
Mondays 7:30pm-8:30pm
Oct 31 - Dec 5, 2011
at Dance Conmigo (3655 St-Laurent, suite 207)

Cost:
$70/person if registered and paid by Oct 24th, 2011
$120/couple if registered and paid by Oct 24th, 2011
after Oct 24th : $75 per individual (course time and availability not guaranteed)
drop-in or "trial class" rate: $15/class.

Casino Rueda

Rueda is the Spanish word for "wheel". It is an exciting form of Cuban-style salsa that is danced in a circle (or "wheel") with two or more couples. The designated "caller" calls out the next move to the group - with most moves ending in a change of partners. To see a rueda demo with former Level 1 students, click here.

6-week Fall Session: Oct 28 - Dec 2, 2011
Fridays 6:30pm-7:30pm
at Dance Conmigo (3655 St-Laurent, #207)

Cost:
$70/person if registered and paid by Oct 24th, 2011
$120/couple if registered and paid by Oct 24th, 2011
after Oct 24th : $75 per individual (course time and availability not guaranteed)
drop-in or "trial class" rate: $15/class.

To register online, arrange payment, and reserve your place, please click the here.

Beginner Bachata, 6-week Fall Session: Oct 25 - Nov 29, 2011

Beginner Bachata

A great beginner dance - also a great complement for Salsa dancers.  Hailing from the Dominican Republic, Bachata exudes the sunny warmth of a hotter climate!!  Romantic and sensual, Bachata's music is sometimes referred to as "the blues" of Latin music!  Learn the basics plus some fun, challenging patterns in this intensive course at Dance Conmigo. No partner necessary.  To see a teacher-student demo, click here. 

6-week Fall Session: Oct 25 - Nov 29, 2011
Tuesdays 6:30pm-7:30pm
at Dance Conmigo (3655 St-Laurent, #207)

Cost:
$70/person if registered and paid by Oct 24th, 2011
$120/couple if registered and paid by Oct 24th, 2011
after Oct 24th : $75 per individual (course time and availability not guaranteed)
drop-in or "trial class" rate: $15/class.

For more information, or to register for this class, please Contact Us.

Happy Birthday Feriel

Happy Birthday Feriel. It was a pleasure to have you dancing and celebrating your birthday in the dance floor. We wish you many more happy birthday.