The popularity of TV show Strictly Come Dancing (among others) has helped put ballroom and Latin American dance back on the map. What was once considered an old-fashioned past-time is now considered the height of cool, but many people are prevented from joining in because they don’t have a dance partner. But that doesn’t have to be the case, since there are many ways of finding a dance partner both online, in print and in real life.
Nowadays most popular dating websites include ballroom dancing in their hobbies search. But using such sites is only suitable for those who wish to combine their love of dance with a relationship, so a better place to look are the ballroom-specific websites and magazines. Ballroomdancepartners.co.uk is all about finding a dance partner and there is a Partners Wanted section in popular British magazine, Dance Today. Meeting someone online or through a magazine is ideal for those who unwilling to turn up at a dance class alone.
Find a Dance Partner
But for those who don’t mind attending alone, the best option is to attend a salsa class at a local club or bar. Most salsa dance classes are taught in a way where everyone dances with everyone else, rather than sticking in couples all evening. This constant changing of partners is all part of the spirit of salsa and most teachers believe it makes their pupils better dancers. A good salsa dancer should be able to dance with anyone else, so pupils are actively encouraged to turn up on their own. And those who come in couples will be asked to split up and dance with everyone else.
Salsa classes aren’t just about learning salsa - they are also social occasions and perfect places to meet people with a love of dance. And so for any wannabe dancer – even one who would rather be learning the tango or waltz – the salsa class is a great way to get things moving and perhaps meet a partner who might then wish to attend a ballroom class. This might be a partner of the opposite sex to dance with or just a same sex friend to go along with for company.
Ballroom Dance Lessons
And it isn’t just salsa that places the emphasis on dancing as an individual. The single person wanting to dance has the option of learning tap, flamenco and belly dancing; and again these lessons might be a way of meeting a friend with whom to attend a ballroom class. Not that one needs to have a partner to attend a ballroom class! Most dance schools will have a few single men and women turning up each week, or even a few spare dance instructors to dance with anyone without a partner. Like with salsa classes, ballroom and Latin American classes are lively, social occasions! A good dance teacher makes everyone feel welcome and creates a mood in which no one feels awkward or left out.
In fact, there’s really no better way to find a long-term dance partner than simply to turn up at one’s local dance class and be approachable, friendly and willing to dance with anyone. By dancing with lots of different people to begin with, one not only becomes a better dancer but a better all-round person, too! And it stands to reason that the easiest place to find a partner will be at a place full of people who love to dance. So find the name of your nearest class today, and whether alone or with a friend for company, just get out on that floor and dance!
Stephen Albrow - Hi! I'm a 38-year-old writer from the UK who contributes to a number of specialist publications, including Dance Today, The Dolls' House ...
