Richard Powers' Social Dance at Stanford
Diva-Boutique Michael's favorite source for dance shoes
Florida has two monthly waltz brunches, in Gainesville and Tampa/St. Petersburg
WaltzGainesville is a casual dance group where we emphasize enjoyment and partnering in waltz and a few other partner dances. We meet once each month.
Most of what we know and do has been learned from Richard Powers, Stanford dance historian and professor. He is one of the world's foremost experts in American social dance and, from 1997 to 2008, was visiting artistic director at Split Tree Farm in northwest Georgia.
Gainesville Sunday Morning Waltz Brunch
Monthly on the Sunday after
Gainesville's Third Saturday Contra Dance: 10:30am to 1:30pm.
Specific dates for 2009 are:
1/18, 2/22, 3/22, 4/19, 5/17, 6/21, 7/19, 8/16, 9/20, 10/18, 11/22, 12/20.
Location for the brunch: The Gainesville Dance and Music Association (GDMA), 308 NE University Ave, next to the Seagle Building, Gainesville's tallest building.
Cost:$5 per person, $7 if we have live music. Come alone or with a partner.
10:30 to 11:00 Brunch is available. Please bring something to share.
11:00 We have a 15 - 20 minute lesson for the newer dancers, then open dancing until about 12:00.
12:00 or so, we do the Cross-Step Waltz Mixer, as an introduction to the cross-step waltz figure which distinguishes our group. We may also include an intermediate lesson for about 15-20 minutes and continue open dancing.
1:00 or so, we can review a choreographed dance or have an advanced lesson.
Then we have open dancing until about 1:30.
Fee is $5. Come alone or with a partner.
The dance styles we enjoy evolved around the turn of the century, before USABDA (US Amateur Ballroom Dance Assoc.) was formed. If you are interested in a certified ballroom dance studio in Gainesville, you should contact the Imperial Dance Studio.
We are not extremely fussy about shoes, though cleaning shoes before taking them on a dance floor is always good etiquette. Many waltz steps including the cross-step, require a pivot, so some kind of leather sole is good; even paper tape duck tape covering can work. Rubber soled shoes almost certainly will be a problem for either you or your partner. Remember - just because "I can do it!!" does not mean it will be okay for your partner.For more information contact Michael at waltzgainesville@cox.net
Tampa Sunday Morning Waltz Brunch
Monthly on First Sundays: 10:30 am to 1:30 pm
10:30 to 11:00 They will have a brunch. Please bring a little something to share.
11:00 They will have a beginner's lessson for about 15 minutes, then open dancing until about 12:00.
12:00 They can have a brief intermediate lesson, focusing on the cross-step waltz or other waltz patterns, such as American social waltz. The cross-step waltz is a swooping, playful step for slower waltzes. It has been popularized by Richard Powers.
Then they have open dancing until about 1:30.
Fee is $8. Come alone or with a partner
Wear leather-soled, non-marking shoes for smooth turning
Location: Pinellas Park Auditorium, 7690 59th Street North, Pinellas Park
For information: Call Jeff Smith (727) 480-4653 or e-mail jsmith25@tampabay.rr.com