If you and your two left feet are toying with the idea of learning to dance, if your child sees a ballerina and exclaims, "I want to do that," or you realize you're ready to learn a new way to kick up your heels, it may be time to make tracks to the local dance studio.
North County has dozens of offerings to accommodate both the serious dancer and the budding street performer. In an effort to expand the limits of conventional dance, classes are being offered in a multitude of areas, from traditional to trendy, classic to ethnic.
Children can be encouraged to participate in their cultural heritage by taking ethnic dance classes; adults can learn the latest MTV moves in a jazz class.
From full-time dance studios to in-home dance instruction, teachers are available to assist students at all levels of dance. All that seems necessary is a willingness to learn.
Here's a sampling of dance instruction available in North County:
Country-western
On Saturday afternoons at Leo's Little Bit of Country in San Marcos, various dance instructors hold one-day, three-hour private dance lessons.
Unlike square dancing, country-western dancing has two forms of dance--couples style, such as the two-step and the cowboy cha-cha; and "line" dancing, where it's every cowboy and cowgirl for themselves.
Although most country western bars hold free dance instruction in the evenings, the three-hour classes at Leo's are meant for people who can't get to the clubs early enough for the free lessons or for those who are apprehensive about learning in a public forum. For couples who want to learn some basic dance moves, the beginning two-step class is a good choice.
Dancers are taught the basic two-step, then additional turns are incorporated into the repertoire. By the end of the class, 10 separate moves will have been learned, and dancers should feel confident enough to hit the dance floor later in the evening when the band begins. As an added bonus, a hand-stamp in class will get you in later if you choose to leave and come back.
Couples can learn from example by following the two instructors that teach the two-step class. Because repetition plays such a strong part in the learning process, moves are explained then practiced several times to songs with different tempos. After mastering the beginning moves, an intermediate two-step class is also taught focusing on more complicated moves.
Line dancing is another option at the three-hour workshops, giving people a chance to focus on some of the dances that they might have been wanting to learn but are not normally covered at the free lessons. At Leo's, you can learn standards such as the Cowboy Boogie or the Tush Push, or newer dances such as the Achy Breaky or the Boot Scootin' Boogie.
Class sizes can be small or large, depending on how many people show up. A complete list of all Saturday classes and their instructors can be obtained by calling or stopping by Leo's. Each three-hour class is $10 per person, or $15 per couple, payable at the start of class. Generally held between 3 and 6 p.m., the classes are alternated so that the line dancers and the two-steppers have classes available on a regular basis.
\o7 Leo's Little Bit of Country
680 N. San Marcos Blvd.
San Marcos 744-4120
\f7 Folklorico
Originally from Guadalajara, Sebastian Flores now teaches children interested in learning about the cultural heritage of Mexico through dance.
Focusing on dances from the state of Durango, Flores has chosen them because their style is often overlooked. Differing from the fiesta-style most often associated with Mexican dancing, the style is appropriate for California's western heritage, he said. New dances are introduced to students at his Escondido classes, held two nights per week.
Averaging 20 dancers a class, the children range in age from 6-15 and cross ethnic barriers.
"Some of the students, mostly the teen-agers, are there out of a cultural interest. Others are interested in performing, and some are there just to have fun," says Flores.
Classes are taught on Mondays and Thursdays, from 6-8 p.m., and cost $5 per week. If they aspire to a performance level, Flores also leads the Ensemble Folklorico de San Diego, an adult group that has performed locally at the Bazaar del Mundo Cinco de Mayo Festivities in Old Town.
For new students, Flores recommends simple, low-heeled shoes so that the children will be able to "hear their feet." Then, if they show continued interest, special dance shoes can be bought.
Often, the younger dancers are asked to perform at private parties and functions. But because their parents won't get to see them perform there, Flores arranges to hold performances twice a year.
"It takes about six months to learn a new dance routine and make the costumes," he says. "And it gives the parents an opportunity to see their kids."
\o7 Sebastian Flores
Ensemble Folklorico de San Diego
591-3607
\f7 Irish Step
