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Frequently Asked Questions
I Don't Have a Partner. Will There be People to Dance With in Group Class?Yes! Being a firm believer in social dancing, Connexions makes it easy for singles to join class. Each group class has a mandatory rotation policy--this means each gentleman dances with every lady, and vice versa. The rotation scheme accomplishes four main tasks:
Rotating during group class helps you learn faster, meet a wide variety of people and is fun! If for some reason you do not want to dance with other partners, you should perhaps look into our private lessons, on our class schedule page. What Should I Wear?For class or dancing, nice casual clothing is appropriate. In consideration of your partners, men should not wear tank tops or sleeveless shirts, and ladies should avoid backless dresses. You will need shoes that stay on your feet, and which will pivot on the dance floor. With experience, you will be able to choose shoes that are neither too sticky or slick. Beach style sandals are inappropriate. Cowboy boots and other heavy or large shoes are discouraged, since they limit your movement. Be sure to shower, wear deodorant, and brush your teeth before dancing...you will be in close contact with others!
What Level of Class Should I Take?If you have never taken a 6 or 8 week full course in your dance, you should start at the beginning level, even if you have other dance experience or are a fast learner. This is true of any new dance you desire to learn. A foundation of strong basics is the most essential ingredient to becoming a proficient, or even fabulous, dancer. Talk to advanced dancers, and you will find them always working on their fundamentals. If you are already proficient at your dance, you may ask the instructor’s permission to take Level 2 or 3. It takes most new students about six months to reach Level 3. What dance should I learn first?At Connexions, we are strong believers that dancing should be fun! With that in mind, we suggest you think about what kind of music really makes you want to move, and then pursue the style of dancing that matches that music. That will keep you motivated to stay with your dance program! What do
you like? You might just get addicted to it all!
What is the difference between East Coast and West Coast Swing?East Coast Swing (also called jitterbug) is what most people picture when they think of swing. It is the original style of swing from the swing era and the 1950’s. You may have seen it on American Bandstand. It is danced to big band swing and jazz, and swing revival groups such as Big Bad Voodoo Daddy. West Coast Swing is a modern form of swing dancing. It is the natural evolution of what has happened to the original jitterbug and lindy hop of the 30's and 40's as music and culture changed over the decades. West Coast Swing originated in California, and is, in fact, the official state dance. It is smoother than the original styles of swing, and is danced to blues music rather than swing music. If you think of old jitterbug crossed with the smooth disco look of "Saturday Night Fever," you'll be pretty close. Many people think that "swing" means aerials--throwing your partner around in showy, athletic moves. Swing is actually characterized by some basic six and eight count rhythms in the dance, and there are many varieties of swing. West Coast Swing is one. There are also Lindy Hop, Whip and Push (danced in Texas), Carolina Shag (danced in the south), German Boogie Woogie, French Ce Roc, Imperial Swing, and DC Hand Dancing. There are even many more local varieties. How do I Get to Connexions Dance Studio?For Connexions Dance Studio driving directions and map, click here.
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