Getting everything you can
out of dancing with theVariations
Learning New Dances
- Give the instructor your attention when learning a new dance.
- Don't be afraid to ask questions if you need clarification.
- Don't worry about making mistakes. Like most things, the more time you
invest in learning the easier it gets and the more fun you will have. (Remember,
we don't call them mistakes, we call them VARIATIONS.
- To help keep everyone moving along smoothly, you may need to modify the
size of your steps depending on the tempo of the music, the size of the group
on the floor, or the dancers around you.
- Experienced dancers that already know the dance, should not add variations
to what is being taught. It confuses the beginner.
Getting the most out of the dance floor:
- Partner dances such as two-step and waltz move in a counter-clockwise direction
around the floor. East and West Coast Swing do not move in any particular
direction around the floor.
- On large dance floors, faster dancers will use the outer areas of the
floor while slower dancers will use the inner areas and stationary dances
(lines and swings) will be done in the center.
- It is the responsibility of the lead to know where the couple is going
and to avoid collisions. However, followers should not be afraid to warn their
partners of dancers that he/she may not be able to see.
Line Dances and Circle Dances
- At our dances we will generally announce the name of the next line or circle dance. Please do the dance that is announced.
- If you wish to dance a certain dance, request it of the D.J. or instructor.
- When doing line dances on a crowded dance floor its important to keep the lines straight to make room for all dancers, especially when doing more complex dances. Besides, it looks really cool when watching from the sidelines!
Important Safety Tip
- For the comfort and safety of all dancers please keep drinks and food off the dance floor.
- Do not socialize on the dance floor. It’s not cool!
- Keep the noise down so the dancers can hear the instructor and D. J.
How to Be an Ambassador of Good Will
- Invite your friends to join the fun. If they prefer not to dance, they are more than welcome to watch.
- Meeting and talking to newcomers and visitors goes a long way to making them feel welcome and more comfortable.
- Express your appreciation to everyone who helped make your evening an enjoyable experience.