Weekly Dances: October 13-18

Hey folks!  Another week has come and gone, and now we're officially in the middle of October.  The weather is turning out to be rather lovely this week!

We've got a bunch of great dances happening this week, including Hartford Ballroom's 3rd Friday Beginner's Social!

3rd Friday Beginners' Social:

October 17

Beginner Lesson at 7:30pm

Dance from 8pm to 11:30pm

$10 per person

The ideal dance for beginner students and for any intermediate dancer who simply needs a place to practice.  A very friendly environment for those who find going out to dance a little intimidating.

One little thing I should mention about our dance this Friday: Nate, Michele, and myself will not be there (*gasp*).  As much as we would love to be in two places at once, our little trio will be performing at St. Joseph's College!  We have been asked to perform to a few songs that will be played by Daniel Salazar's guitar ensemble.  Here's the information below:

Noche Latina

 

USJ Latino Community Practice presents a celebration of Hispanic heritage in greater Hartford, featuring an exhibition by Connecticut artist Corina Alvarezdelgua, and concert by the Daniel Salazar Guitar Ensemble

6:00 p.m. - Reception

7:00 p.m. - Concert

Admission is free!

  Contact: Laura Folker

Email: lfolker@usj.edu
Phone: 8602315528
Location Details
Bruyette Athenaeum, Hoffman Auditorium
1678 Asylum Avenue
West Hartford CT 06117 US

If you're interested in coming to watch, we look forward to seeing you there!  Keep in mind that as soon as we're done performing we're going to dash right on over to our Beginner's Social and finish the night with all you dancers out there!

If you think you 're on your own for the first few hours of the social, don't worry!  I leave you in the capable hands of my husband, David Spiro, as well as with Mark and Janice Glanovsky.  David has been dancing with me for 8 years now, and he has recently finished a course in becoming a yoga instructor.  So, not only will he teach beginner rumba in the lesson, he will also use yoga techniques to help you improve your dancing!

 

Well, that's it for Hartford Ballroom!  Here's a list of what's going on elsewhere!

This list is organized by date, with the event's state in parentheses.  Dances with a little red stamp next to it are strongly recommended by me or by my fellow teachers at Hartford Ballroom.

I should warn you that I cannot completely guarantee the accuracy of the information provided, so please be sure to visit the dance's website before you head out (Each dance event title is a link to their website).  All dates, times and locations are subject to change.

Monday, October 13

1. MIT Tango Club Monday Night Practica (Massachusetts)

MIT Campus, 77 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA (building and room is found on their website)

9-11 p.m. practica

Free

A free practica that takes place on campus.  The building and room they use changes from week to week, so double-check their webpage for exact locations.

 
2. Monday Night Practice (Massachusetts)
First Church, 11 Garden Street, Cambridge, MA 02138
7 p.m. New School Swing Lesson
8 p.m. New School Swing Lesson
9-11 p.m. Dance
$8 general admission, $5 for students under age of 23 This is one I found on DanceNet.

3. DancEncounters Ballroom Social Dance (New York)
215 Tremont St., Rochester, NY

7 p.m. lesson

7:45-10 p.m. dance

$8 general admission

Found through USA Dance, provided by DancEncounters.  Their floor looks nice.

4. Ensueno Tango Salon (New York City) 
Ukrainian East Village Restaurant, 140 2nd Ave, NYC
7:30 p.m. Total Beginner Lesson
8:30 p.m. Intermediate Lesson
9:30 p.m.-1:15 a.m. social dancing
$13 general admission per class, and per dance (student discounts and group packages available)
I found a postcard for this dance at MalaLECHE, I don't know much about this one but it looked interesting.

5. Monday Night Blues Dancing (New York)
Tango Cafe, 35 S. Washington St., Rochester, NY 14608
8:30 p.m. lesson
9 p.m. open dancing
$5 cover charge 
This dance was originally found through USA Dance.  I had a difficult time finding it on Tango Cafe's website.

Tuesday, October 14

1. Bluesy Tuesy (Massachusetts)
The Democracy Center, 45 Mount Auburn Street, Cambridge, MA

7:30 p.m. lesson

8:30-11 p.m. open dance

$5 general admission for the lesson, $5 separate admission for the dance

Provided by DanceNet, this dance has been described as a blues dance.  Essentially blues dancing is a slow dance for Lindy dancers.  According to DanceNet it happens every Tuesday night.  I can't say if it's a good one to go to, but I will eventually try it out.

2. Swing Dance Long Island Tuesday Dance (New York)

Huntington Moose Lodge, 631 Pulaski Rd, Greenlawn, NY
7:30 beginner lesson
8-10:30 dance
$4 members, $5 students, $6 general (prices slightly higher on band nights) I'm not sure where in Long Island this is, but it sounds pretty casual. 

3. West Coast Swing Potluck Dinner Dance With Workshop (New York)

The Ukrainian Club, 402 25th St., Watervliet, NY 12189

7 p.m. Workshop

8-11 p.m. Open Dance

$15 for Workshop, Dinner, and Dance, $15 Dance only, $10 Workshop only, $5 college students

This dance asks you to bring your favorite dish, with everyone eating after the workshop.  Originally provided by USA Dance.

Wednesday, October 15

1. West Coast Swing @ Fire And Ice Grill And Bar (Massachusetts)
Harvard Square, 50 Church St, Cambridge, MA
8 p.m. beginner/intermediate lesson
9 p.m.-12 a.m. dance
$10 general admission, $5 student (with ID) I've eaten at a Fire And Ice restaurant before; decent food, and an original experience!  So at least you can have a fun meal before you dance!

2. TangoCafe (New York)
You Should Be Dancing dance studio, 412 8th ave, 4th floor (between 30th and 31st st), NYC, NY
10 p.m.-2 a.m. milonga
$10 general admission (before 9:45), $12 general admission (after 9:45)
This milonga is brought to you by adam and ciko, the same people responsible for MalaLECHE.

3. Wednesday Night Swing (New York)
Kokopellis, 124 4th St, Troy, NY

8:15 p.m. lesson

9-11 p.m. dance

$10 general admission, $8 student admission

Apparently this one has a large dance floor.  Originally found through USA Dance, this includes Lindy Hop.  A $5 Drink Card is included in the admission.

4. Lindy Jam (New York)

Groove Juice Swing (Third Floor Ballroom), 389 Gregory St, Rochester NY 14620

8:45-11 p.m. dance 

9 p.m. lesson? (contradicting information)

$5 general admission

Originally found through USA Dance, this one is mainly a Lindy Hop dance.

5. MASSabda At Moseley's (Massachusetts) 

Moseley's on the Charles, 50 Bridge St., Dedham, MA 02026

7 p.m. lesson

8-11 p.m. dancing

$12 USA Dance Members, $15 Non-Memberss 

This one is said to have "One Of New England's Largest Dance Floor".  Also features live music.

Thursday, October 16

1. Yale Tango Club Milonga (Connecticut) 

Rumberos Studio, 216 State Street, New Haven, CT  

 9-11:30 p.m.  

Free! 

This is a milonga my brother, the tango specialist, frequents a lot.

2. Cape Cod 3rd Thursday Milonga (Massachusetts)

Liberty Hall (unless otherwise specified), 2150 Main St, Cape Cod, MA

7-10 p.m. milonga

Free!

A dress-up event that is brought to you by the Cape Cod Tango Club

3. MIT Tango Club Thursday Night Practice (Massachusetts)

 MIT Campus, 77 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA (building and room changes frequently so check their website for details)

8-11 p.m. Practica

Free

The same club that brings you the Monday Night practica, this is almost identical to Monday nights.  The floor looks huge!

4. Blues Union Boston (Massachussetts)
Dance Union, 16 Bow Street, Somerville, MA 

7:30 p.m. Intermediate Class
8:30 p.m. Blues Basics class and beginner clinic
9:30-11:30 p.m. Dance
lesson and dance are $5 each I

 found this one on DanceNet and it sounds useful.   Apparently on the last Thursday of the month, there's what they call a "Blues Clinic": instead of the lessons, they have this one-on-one with the teachers, where they walk around the floor and help you out, and you can use it as an opportunity to practice and work with your peers.

5. Thursday Night Swing (New York)
Rocks, 77 Central Ave, Albany, NY 12206

8 p.m. lesson

9 p.m.-12 a.m. dance

$5 general admission

This dance is a mash-up of lindy, east coast, and blues, and there's a bar in the next room.  Originally found through USA Dance

 

6. Thursday Night Rochester Swing-In Dance (New York)

St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 2000 Highland Ave, Rochester NY

7:30 p.m. lesson

8:30-10:30 p.m. dance

$4 general admission

New York sure has some cheap dances!  This dance involves East and West Coast Swing, Jitterbug, Lindy Hop with a little Balboa, and Blues.  It looks like a good time.

 
7. Thursday Ballroom Dinner Dance (New York)

The Ukranian American Citizens Club, 1 Pulaski St. Cohoes, NY 12047

7 p.m. beginner lesson

8 p.m. dinner

$10 general admission

Found this one through USA Dance.

Friday, October 17

1. Ken Mercik's Friday Night West Coast Swing Dance (Connecticut)

Polish Home, 9 First Street, Windsor Locks, CT

7 p.m. Newcomer Lesson
8 p.m. Intermediate Lesson
9 p.m.-12 a.m. Open Dance
$10 for dance (newcomer lesson included), $15 for intermediate lesson and dance
A fun dance for those who like West Coast and Hustle!  The classes are usually taught by Ken Mercik, but every once in a while, there are guest teachers (such as Mario Robau and Robert Royston).  When there are guest teachers, the newcomer lesson becomes more of an intermediate lesson, and the admission prices increase by $5-10.  Check the website for guest teacher scheduling. 

2. Boston Swing Central (Massachusetts)

Crosby Whistle Stop, 24 Roland St, Charlestown, MA

8 p.m. lesson

9-12 p.m. open dance

$15 general admission, $13 student/senior admission (with valid ID),  lesson included in price

Originally recommended by DanceNet, this one sounds like a fun dance for swing and Lindy Hop.  Their website is still frequently updated, and they have a live band every week.  It looks like a good time, so try it out and let me know what it's like!

 
3. Double Dance Friday (Rhode Island) 

Studio One RI Dance Complex, 85 Industrial Circle, Suit 4102, Lincoln, RI 02865  

7:30 p.m. lesson 

 8-11 p.m. dance  

$12 non-members, $10 member, $5 active military/students   

This sounds interesting!  Basically there are two rooms, two lessons, and two DJs. Ballroom happens in one room, West Coast Swing in the other, and you can move between rooms.  Provided by USA Dance this sounds like fun!

4. Fridays At Sunset (New York)

Ballroom On Sunset, 13 Sunset Drive, Latham, NY

7:15 p.m. lesson

8-10:30 p.m. dance

$10 general admission, $5 students

This one is said to have a beautiful dance floor.  Originally found through USA Dance

5. Hartford Ballroom's Beginner Social (Connecticut)
Hartford Ballroom Dance Studio, 30 Arbor Street, 3rd Floor, Hartford, CT
7:30 p.m. Beginner Lesson
8-11:30 p.m. Open Dance
$10 general admission, lesson included 
Are you a beginner student that wants to practice but find social events intimidating?  Then this is the dance for you!  This event is open to all levels, but it's mainly geared towards beginner students.  All three teachers will be there to help remind you of dance steps, and to give you a crash course on dances you're not familiar with yet.  Very beginner-friendly and strongly recommended.

6. USA Dance New London (Connecticut)

East Lyme Community Center, 41 Society Rd, East Lyme, CT
7 p.m. Lesson
8-10 p.m. Open Dance
$5 general admission, lesson included 
I've guest-taught at this social dance before.  It's a decent social to go to, particularly for intermediate dancers.

7. Mason Warrington Social Dance (New York)

Knights of Columbus, Binghampton, NY 

8-11 p.m.

$13 General admission, $11 USA Dance members

The information for this one is rather vague, but according to USA Dance, it still exists.

 

Saturday, October 18

1. Waterford Ballroom Saturday Night Social (Connecticut)
Waterford Ballroom Dance Studio, 86 Boston Post Rd, Waterford, CT 06385
7 p.m. beginner lesson
7:30 p.m. beginner lesson
8-11 p.m. Dance social
$15 general admission
Recommended by Will Rogers, this one sounds like a friendly one to go to, for beginners and experienced dancers alike.

2. USA Dance Greater Hartford Monthly Dance (Connecticut)
Glastonbury Riverfront Community Center, 300 Welles St, Glastonbury, CT

8 p.m. lesson
9 p.m.-12 a.m. Open Dance
$11 USA dance members, $15 non-members  My brother and I guest-taught at this dance social about a year ago.  They have a nice large floor over there.  The dance itself was pretty good too.

3. Shoreline Swing Presents 3rd Saturday Swing (Connecticut)
East Lyme Community Center, 41 Society Rd, Niantic, CT

7 p.m. beginner lesson
8-11 p.m. dance
$15 non-members, $11 members, seniors, military, & students Found the flyer for this event at the First Friday Swing event.  Looks like it has live bands.

4. Cajun/Zydeco Dance By Hartford Community Dance (Connecticut)

American Legion Hall, 275 Main Street, Wethersfield CT
6:30 p.m. workshop
7-10 p.m. open dance
$15 general admission, $10 student admission  I've never heard of Zydeco before until someone recommended this dance.  It looks like this might be a fun dance to do.

5. Dancing Feats West Coast Swing (Massachusetts)
Balera School Of Ballroom Dance, 105 Rumford Avenue, Newton MA
7 p.m. lesson with guest teacher
8 p.m. lesson #2 with guest teacher
8 p.m. optional beginner west coast swing lesson
9 p.m.-12 a.m. dance
2 lessons with guest teacher and dance: $25
1 lesson with guest teacher and dance: $20
Dance only (beginner lesson included): $10
I got a little confused with the lesson schedule and price.  I'm assuming the hosts teach the beginner class on demand at the same time as the guest teacher.  Picked this flyer up at Ken Mercik's WCS dance.  Guest teachers change monthly.  

6. Uptown Swing Dance (Massachusetts) 

 KI, 384 Harvard Street, Brookline, MA 02446  

8:15 p.m. beginner lesson 9 p.m. to midnight dance

 $17 general, $13 student  

This looks like a good one for anyone who likes East Coast and Lindy

7. DancEncounters Double-Dance (New York)

DancEncounters, 215 Tremont St., Rochester, NY

8 p.m- 12 a.m. dance

$10 general admission

This one has two rooms for dancing!  I think one is for swing and hustle, and the other is for ballroom.  I'm not sure if there's a dance lesson or not (it wasn't specified), but apparently there are monthly themes for each dance.  

8. Robin Thomas's Nocturne Milonga (New York City)

Dancesport Dance Studio, 22W 34th St, 4th floor, NYC, NY (next to the Empire State Building)

9 p.m. lesson

10 p.m.-4:30 a.m. milonga

$12 general admission, $7 student admission

Recommended by both myself and my brother, this is a great milonga!  There are a lot of great dancers there, and the atmosphere is excellent.  You'll want to stay there the whole night!

Sunday, October 19

1. Yale Tango Club Practilonga at GPSCY (Connecticut)
Graduate and Professional Student Center at Yale (GPSCY), 2nd floor ballroom, 204 York Street, New Haven, CT
8-11 p.m.
Free!
Another one brought to you by Yale Tango Club.

 
2. Ballroom Dancing at the Roseland Ballroom (Massachusetts)
Roseland Ball Room, 174 Broadway, Taunton, MA

12:30 p.m. lesson

1-4 p.m. dance

$10 cover charge

Originally found this through USA Dance, sounds casual

3. Dance2Swing (Massachusetts)

The Leominster Elks, 134 North Main Street, Leominster, MA

6:30 p.m. beginner-friendly swing lesson

7:30-10:30 p.m. open dance

$14 general admission if there's a live band, $12 admission if there's a DJ

Originally recommended by DanceNet, I'm not familiar with this one but in August they featured some really good bands.

4. Milonga RoKo (New York)

Manhattan Ballroom Dance Studio, 29W 36th St, 2nd Floor (between 5th and 6th Aves.), NYC, NY 

7:15 p.m. lesson 

8:15 p.m.-12:30 a.m. Milonga

$12 general admission, $7 student (with ID)

Recommended by my brother, this is a week Milonga that takes place in the city that never sleeps.

5. Argentine Tango Dance From DancEncounters (New York)

DancEncounters, 215 Tremont Street, Rochester, NY, Door #8

7 p.m. Introductory Lesson

8-10 p.m. Milonga

$8 general admission 

It seems like DancEncounters has quite a number of events!  This milonga sounds ideal for those who don't want to pull an all-nighter

6. Capital USA Dance Monthly Event (New York)

Polish Community Center, 225 Washington Ave. Ext., Albany, NY 12205

6:15 p.m. lesson

7-10 p.m. dance

$13 general admission, $10 USA members, $5 students, free for under-18s

Provided by USA dance, this one includes light refreshments and a cash bar.

As far as I know, that's it for this week folks!

Dance away, everyone!  Dance Away!

Yours truly,

-Lisa Spiro