tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17506922249019569362024-02-09T13:57:59.659-08:00Ballroom Wedding DancePeter Jones/BallroomWeddingDancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06290635139760189950noreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1750692224901956936.post-43974554732528053622023-06-14T07:00:00.000-07:002023-06-14T07:00:01.573-07:00Wedding/ First dance lessons NYC<p> <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Your First dance in NYC: make some magic, the secret? Learning how to dance together for your wedding is a perfect metaphor for getting married! Work together as a team, make each other look good, move as one; communicate perfectly and you’ll wow your guests!</span></p><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Dance together…. into your future!</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Learn how two bodies move as one with Ballroom Wedding Dance, simple steps or full choreography in the heart of NYC and Westchester</span><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">#weddingdancelesson</span></div>Peter Jones/BallroomWeddingDancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06290635139760189950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1750692224901956936.post-73473069955054431492021-02-19T08:03:00.003-08:002021-02-19T08:48:10.524-08:00About Wedding First Dance Lessons<p> </p><h1 style="background: white; margin: 0in 0.6in 0in 0.5in; text-align: left;"><strong><span style="color: #474747; font-size: 10.0pt; letter-spacing: .35pt;">About your wedding Dance Lessons</span></strong></h1><div><strong><span style="color: #474747; font-size: 10.0pt; letter-spacing: .35pt;"><br /></span></strong></div>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .6in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="color: #474747; font-size: 10.0pt; letter-spacing: .35pt;">Be sure to bring your wedding shoes (or comparable pair, to avoid scuffs)
to some of your lessons. It’s most important for the ladies, as dancing
in heels is very different than in flats, so plan to bring and practice in your
shoes. Men can also benefit from rehearsing in dress shoes, because they
are often slippery. (It’s a good idea to give them a test drive.)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .6in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="color: #474747; font-size: 10.0pt; letter-spacing: .35pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .6in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="color: #474747; font-size: 10.0pt; letter-spacing: .35pt;">Brides, your dress could interfere with your dance, true. There won’t
be many “dress” rehearsals, so let your instructor know about the length and size, or whether
anything restricts your movement. We can easily factor that in
planning your dance.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .6in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="color: #474747; font-size: 10.0pt; letter-spacing: .35pt;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .6in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="color: #474747; font-size: 10.0pt; letter-spacing: .35pt;">On the Big Day, there is generally some time, whether a walk
through, a specific time you have set aside as a breather, or even better during the First Look or pictures(!) to do a mini dress rehearsal to,</span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .6in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="color: #474747; font-size: 10.0pt; letter-spacing: .35pt;">a) brush up before showtime! </span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .6in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="color: #474747; font-size: 10.0pt; letter-spacing: .35pt;">b) </span><span style="color: #474747; font-size: 13.3333px; letter-spacing: 0.466667px;">and </span><span style="color: #474747; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: 0.35pt;">see how the dance feels in the dress (and tux jacket.)</span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .6in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="color: #474747; font-size: 10.0pt; letter-spacing: .35pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .6in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="color: #474747; font-size: 10.0pt; letter-spacing: .35pt;">Video some of the lesson to practice with at home. It’s useful, and an amazing practice tool.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .6in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="color: #474747; font-size: 10.0pt; letter-spacing: .35pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .6in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="color: #474747; font-size: 10.0pt; letter-spacing: .35pt;">Plan on practicing some between lessons to get the most from them. All you need to do is 10-15 minutes a couple of times a week. It makes a huge difference. Your
instructor can then answer any questions you have. But it maximizes your time in
the lesson. Like anything else, the more you do of something the
better you will be at it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .6in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="color: #474747; font-size: 10.0pt; letter-spacing: .35pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .6in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="color: #474747; font-size: 10.0pt; letter-spacing: .35pt;">But please remember dancing is all about having FUN with your partner! Try not to correct each other or put too much
pressure on getting every move right. If you learn to move together as one
unit, to work as a team, it will work out, even if maybe, it isn’t exactly per
the blueprint! Work together and be as supportive as you can be. No one
watching you knows the routine, so you can’t be wrong if you work things out
together. But sticking to the ground plan always makes things easier, but it’s
a fact of life that things never turn out exactly the way they were designed.)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .6in; margin-top: 0in;"><strong><span style="color: #474747; font-size: 10.0pt; letter-spacing: .35pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></strong></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .6in; margin-top: 0in;"><strong><span style="color: #474747; font-size: 10.0pt; letter-spacing: .35pt;"><o:p><a href="http://www.BallroomWeddingDance.com">BallroomWeddingDance with Peter Jones</a></o:p></span></strong></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .6in; margin-top: 0in;"><strong><span style="color: #474747; font-size: 10.0pt; letter-spacing: .35pt;">#Weddingdancelesson, #FirstDanceLesson, #weddingDance</span></strong></p>Peter Jones/BallroomWeddingDancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06290635139760189950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1750692224901956936.post-79363570900788504072021-02-15T20:31:00.011-08:002021-02-15T20:45:20.330-08:00FIRST DANCE TIPS<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal">FIRST DANCE TIPS<o:p></o:p></p>
<h1 style="background: white; margin: 0in 0.6in 0in 0.5in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #474747; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: 0.35pt;"><o:p> <b>First, keep in mind: If you can walk, you can dance!</b></o:p></span></h1><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .6in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0.6in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="color: #474747; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: 0.35pt;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .6in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0.6in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="color: #474747; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: 0.35pt;"><o:p>Now for some tips and </o:p></span><span style="background-color: transparent;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent;">wedding/ First Dance</span><span style="background-color: transparent;"> - Best Practices!</span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .6in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0.6in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="background-color: transparent;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .6in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0.6in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="color: #474747; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: 0.35pt;">It’s a good idea to schedule your dance lessons at least 3 months before
the wedding. That gives you more scheduling flexibility but is still
close enough to the wedding that you won’t forget! Plan the final lesson to be
about a week or ten days before the wedding regardless, as a brush up. Planning ahead makes your life a lot easier, as the Big Day approaches. And Dancing is going to be a Life skill!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .6in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0.6in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="color: #474747; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: 0.35pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .6in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0.6in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="color: #474747; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: 0.35pt;">If you have your First song picked out before your first lesson, great.
But if you’re not sure about it, no problem. If you can bring in your top 2 or 3, or a short list of some sort, we can talk with you about them and help
you pick the best dance song. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .6in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0.6in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="color: #474747; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: 0.35pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .6in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0.6in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="color: #474747; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: 0.35pt;">A good wedding dance is around 2 ½-3 </span><span style="color: #474747; font-size: 13.3333px; letter-spacing: 0.466667px;">½</span><span style="color: #474747; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: 0.35pt;"> minutes. You want to be able
to keep your guests engaged, and 3 to 3 and a half minutes is about as long as you can reasonably put a dance together in a relatively short period of time, (while you’re doing a
thousand other things!) You want it just right, not too long, not too short.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .6in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0.6in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="color: #474747; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: 0.35pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<div style="background: white; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.5pt; border: none; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0.6in; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 1pt;">
<p style="background: white; border: none; margin: 0in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext 1.5pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="color: #474747; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: 0.35pt;">If you are doing a mashup or medley, be
sure to let me know the idea early on and have it edited by the halfway point
of the lessons. It’s important to have the final vision done with enough
time to nail it.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; border: none; margin: 0in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext 1.5pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="color: #474747; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: 0.35pt;"><br /></span></p><p style="background: white; border: none; margin: 0in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext 1.5pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="color: #474747; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: 0.35pt;">Peter Jones</span></p><p style="background: white; border: none; margin: 0in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext 1.5pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="color: #474747; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: 0.35pt;"><a href="http://www.Ballroomweddingdance.com">www.Ballroomweddingdance.com</a></span></p><p style="background: white; border: none; margin: 0in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext 1.5pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="color: #474747; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: 0.35pt;"><br /></span></p><p style="background: white; border: none; margin: 0in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext 1.5pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="color: #474747; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: 0.35pt;"><span style="color: black; font-size: medium; letter-spacing: normal;"> #weddingdance #firstdancelessons</span></span></p><p style="background: white; border: none; margin: 0in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext 1.5pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="color: #474747; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: 0.35pt;"><br /></span></p>
</div>Peter Jones/BallroomWeddingDancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06290635139760189950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1750692224901956936.post-43202144961951118452021-02-03T09:08:00.007-08:002021-02-15T20:40:57.504-08:00Pick your First dance song<p>Picking your First Dance song for your #weddingdance is sometimes not obvious or easy, if you don't have a "This is our song!" situation. Here are some of the top songs, and you can go to https://www.ballroomweddingdance.com/first-dance-songs for links to these, and some of my all time favorites! </p><p><u style="background-color: #a17c26; color: white; font-family: freight-sans-pro; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;">TOP TEN WEDDING DANCE SONGS 2021</u></p><ul style="background-color: #a17c26; color: white; font-family: freight-sans-pro; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVoR3zpksxQ" style="background: transparent; color: rgba(8, 0, 26, 0.7); margin-top: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #9ff9ff; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Conversations In The Dark - John Legend</b></span></a><span style="color: #9ff9ff; margin-bottom: 0px;"><b style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br style="margin-top: 0px;" /><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YE-_zLg4Dfc" style="background: transparent; color: rgba(8, 0, 26, 0.7); text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #9ff9ff; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Never Worn White - Katy Perry</b></span></a><span style="color: #9ff9ff; margin-bottom: 0px;"><b style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br style="margin-top: 0px;" /><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IoiDlLg1c20" style="background: transparent; color: rgba(8, 0, 26, 0.7); text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #9ff9ff; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Holy - Justin Bieber (feat Chance The Rapper</b></span></a><span style="color: #9ff9ff; margin-bottom: 0px;"><b style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br style="margin-top: 0px;" /><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQD6ic15zT4" style="background: transparent; color: rgba(8, 0, 26, 0.7); text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #9ff9ff; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Body Like a Back Road - Sam Hunt</b></span></a><span style="color: #9ff9ff; margin-bottom: 0px;"><b style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br style="margin-top: 0px;" /><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6V_gBeWtBA8" style="background: transparent; color: rgba(8, 0, 26, 0.7); text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #9ff9ff; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Finally // Beautiful Stranger - Halsey</b></span></a><span style="color: #9ff9ff; margin-bottom: 0px;"><b style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br style="margin-top: 0px;" /><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-KVbfyVtoIU" style="background: transparent; color: rgba(8, 0, 26, 0.7); text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #9ff9ff; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Rain On Me - Lady Gaga</b></span></a><span style="color: #9ff9ff; margin-bottom: 0px;"><b style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br style="margin-top: 0px;" /><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0pAkIrJfwao" style="background: transparent; color: rgba(8, 0, 26, 0.7); text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #9ff9ff; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Yummy - Justin Bieber</b></span></a><span style="color: #9ff9ff; margin-bottom: 0px;"><b style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br style="margin-top: 0px;" /><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmDmwsaGiDY" style="background: transparent; color: rgba(8, 0, 26, 0.7); text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #9ff9ff; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">So In Love With You - Jonny Houlihan</b></span></a><span style="color: #9ff9ff; margin-bottom: 0px;"><b style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br style="margin-top: 0px;" /><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJoCra0QBaQ" style="background: transparent; color: rgba(8, 0, 26, 0.7); text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #9ff9ff; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Body - Megan Thee Stallion</b></span></a><span style="color: #9ff9ff; margin-bottom: 0px;"><b style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br style="margin-top: 0px;" /><span style="background: transparent; color: #9ff9ff; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;"><b style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LS6UTbxAiS0" style="background: transparent; color: rgba(8, 0, 26, 0.7); margin-bottom: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;">It's You (I've Been Looking For)</a></b></span></b></span></b></span></b></span></b></span></b></span></b></span></b></span></b></span></b></span><span style="color: #9ff9ff; margin-bottom: 0px;"><ul style="background-color: #a17c26; color: white; font-family: freight-sans-pro; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;"><span style="color: #9ff9ff; margin-bottom: 0px;"><ul style="background-color: #a17c26; color: white; font-family: freight-sans-pro; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;"><span style="color: #9ff9ff; margin-bottom: 0px;"><b style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #9ff9ff; margin-bottom: 0px;"><b style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #9ff9ff; margin-bottom: 0px;"><b style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #9ff9ff; margin-bottom: 0px;"><b style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #9ff9ff; margin-bottom: 0px;"><b style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #9ff9ff; margin-bottom: 0px;"><b style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #9ff9ff; margin-bottom: 0px;"><b style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #9ff9ff; margin-bottom: 0px;"><b style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #9ff9ff; margin-bottom: 0px;"><b style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="background: transparent; color: #9ff9ff; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;"><br /></span></b></span></b></span></b></span></b></span></b></span></b></span></b></span></b></span></b></span></ul></span><span style="color: #9ff9ff; margin-bottom: 0px;"><b style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #9ff9ff; margin-bottom: 0px;"><b style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #9ff9ff; margin-bottom: 0px;"><b style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #9ff9ff; margin-bottom: 0px;"><b style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #9ff9ff; margin-bottom: 0px;"><b style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #9ff9ff; margin-bottom: 0px;"><b style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #9ff9ff; margin-bottom: 0px;"><b style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #9ff9ff; margin-bottom: 0px;"><b style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #9ff9ff; margin-bottom: 0px;"><b style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="background: transparent; color: #9ff9ff; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;"> Peter Jones - for </span></b></span></b></span></b></span></b></span></b></span></b></span></b></span></b></span></b></span></ul></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #474747; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.3333px; letter-spacing: 0.466667px;">www.Ballroomweddingdance.com</span></ul>Peter Jones/BallroomWeddingDancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06290635139760189950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1750692224901956936.post-60054599081669990602015-01-19T14:18:00.000-08:002015-01-19T14:18:02.524-08:00<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.4444446563721px; line-height: 21.466667175293px;">Come to a hot SALSA Dance Party: Tues. 8:00pm with Peter! 1/20.Tommy's Brightside Tavern, Jersey City: 141 Bright Street, </span><a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fbit.ly%2F1zAbTh0&h=pAQHZZSXX&enc=AZOW8PIKOatqatpl3IcteBndi-vNvxCHkC3ScTyWDyvOLUEDNkOhCU3Rb0QM9uovx1QLZJ0xeTkKG0AK6e89ZfyJqCYbQECIgEqbT5fBcC5YSO65jBdbzWJzPkHiG7bUkZZJ8XdJ5bMEPvdq6nS2GC7vSNpe_7gMi5yhwN-6AMWkIg&s=1" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: white; color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.4444446563721px; line-height: 21.466667175293px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://bit.ly/1zAbTh0</a> <span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.4444446563721px; line-height: 21.466667175293px;">Dance, + drinks, +(wings) or + dinner! Really nice place</span>Peter Jones/BallroomWeddingDancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06290635139760189950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1750692224901956936.post-62012246573367954632014-10-31T08:22:00.001-07:002014-10-31T08:26:17.654-07:00Wow! Halloween already? What happened to the year? Hundreds of happy wedding couples and some genuinely amazing stuff came my way in 2014: snagged a Reality Show ("Married at First Sight"), an Independent Film (The First Lesson), Dancing With the Stars pro <strong id="yui_3_17_2_1_1414766841900_10313" style="background-color: #e5e5e5; color: #111111; font-family: proxima-nova, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.5200004577637px; margin-bottom: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"><a data-cke-saved-href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louis_Van_Amstel" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louis_Van_Amstel" id="yui_3_17_2_1_1414766841900_10326" style="color: #2777ae; outline: none; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;">Louis van Amstel</a> </strong>visited, Rachael Ray invited one of my couples to perform on her nationally broadcast show, Tony award winning Patina Miller studied with me, as did Eric Trump.... and the year isn't over yet!<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #29303b; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Peter Jones</span><br />
<span style="color: #29303b; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">www.BallroomWeddingDance.com</span><br />
And check us out on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ballroom-Wedding-Dance-with-Peter-Jones/103809976323955?v=wall">Facebook</a> or <a href="http://twitter.com/#%21/dancingbrides">Twitter</a>Peter Jones/BallroomWeddingDancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06290635139760189950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1750692224901956936.post-87566967022430309002014-04-01T12:25:00.002-07:002014-04-01T12:25:25.266-07:00<span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Last week I filmed a segment with one of my couples (Manisha Mahajan and her fiance Alex) for the </span><a class="_58cn" data-ft="{"tn":"*N","type":104}" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/rachelrayshow" style="background-color: white; color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: none;">#RachelRayShow</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> with </span><a class="_58cn" data-ft="{"tn":"*N","type":104}" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/dwts" style="background-color: white; color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: none;">#DWTS</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> pro </span><a class="_58cn" data-ft="{"tn":"*N","type":104}" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/louisvanamstel" style="background-color: white; color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: none;">#LouisVanAmstel</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> crashing my</span><a class="_58cn" data-ft="{"tn":"*N","type":104}" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/weddingdancelesson" style="background-color: white; color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: none;">#weddingDanceLesson</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">! It was a blast! Then they went on to the Rachel Ray studio and danced on National TV! They were amazing! </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Don't know the air date yet, but I'll keep you posted!</span>Peter Jones/BallroomWeddingDancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06290635139760189950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1750692224901956936.post-86277408014864450142013-09-18T14:02:00.003-07:002013-09-18T14:02:33.981-07:00I have been so busy teaching I haven't blogged in awhile! I miss it!<br />
Camille and Jonathan just did lessons, and they looked great1<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivPD4P0Yvbax_eSx5kOvS2I5Ws2nXlDbTVg0QJO5bHGNx_U59jRs7sxFfr1RaAhDFn0ZwyabfkN6XoR8R_Oe4qOOOT9q5jB088BkIrlGOR_NarT_EJs86Z1DgxYZPq7X_HVwUtD-x41To/s1600/Camille-Jonathan_crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivPD4P0Yvbax_eSx5kOvS2I5Ws2nXlDbTVg0QJO5bHGNx_U59jRs7sxFfr1RaAhDFn0ZwyabfkN6XoR8R_Oe4qOOOT9q5jB088BkIrlGOR_NarT_EJs86Z1DgxYZPq7X_HVwUtD-x41To/s320/Camille-Jonathan_crop.jpg" width="233" /></a></div>
Peter Jones/BallroomWeddingDancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06290635139760189950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1750692224901956936.post-5915987939194799572013-04-09T09:06:00.002-07:002013-04-09T09:06:53.473-07:00Everything is easy, once you know how, whether you want to recreate a dance or create your own unique wonderful moment, learning how to dance for your wedding is a fun part of the wedding planning. Oh, and you'll pick up a life skill you will use frequently, I hope!. The thing to remember is that, if you can walk, you can dance!<br />
<br />
<br />
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #29303b; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Peter Jones</span></b><br />
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #29303b; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">www.BallroomWeddingDance.com</span></b><br />
And check us out on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ballroom-Wedding-Dance-with-Peter-Jones/103809976323955?v=wall">Facebook</a> or <a href="http://twitter.com/#%21/dancingbrides">Twitter</a><br />
Peter Jones/BallroomWeddingDancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06290635139760189950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1750692224901956936.post-53755646018116577612013-04-09T09:03:00.000-07:002013-04-09T09:07:02.949-07:00Katherine and Mark took their last lesson last night getting ready for the big day. Michael Bouble's Everything is a fantastic Foxtrot which we combined with a Swing break, and a fast-paced piece of choreography in the middle when the song's dynamics kick into high gear. They look good after only 3 lessons, unfortunately spaced out over about 2 months! They look good, and have promised me pictures from the wedding, so I'll get the professional shots up as soon as I get them.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #29303b; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Peter Jones</span></b><br />
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #29303b; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">www.BallroomWeddingDance.com</span></b><br />
And check us out on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ballroom-Wedding-Dance-with-Peter-Jones/103809976323955?v=wall">Facebook</a> or <a href="http://twitter.com/#%21/dancingbrides">Twitter</a><br />
Peter Jones/BallroomWeddingDancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06290635139760189950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1750692224901956936.post-6462927332488053862013-04-09T08:59:00.000-07:002013-04-09T09:07:11.822-07:00Laura and Jason have decided to go back to At Last for their first dance. We're putting together a rumba/salsa mash with an uptempo style to match their personality, balanced on the slow beat of the music.<br />
They were off to see Alan Cummings' Macbeth last night. (I'm a little jealous...) But they are doing an amazing job. (pics to follow)<br />
<br />
<br />
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #29303b; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Peter Jones</span></b><br />
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #29303b; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">www.BallroomWeddingDance.com</span></b><br />
And check us out on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ballroom-Wedding-Dance-with-Peter-Jones/103809976323955?v=wall">Facebook</a> or <a href="http://twitter.com/#%21/dancingbrides">Twitter</a><br />
Peter Jones/BallroomWeddingDancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06290635139760189950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1750692224901956936.post-90543006217228876192013-03-21T11:38:00.003-07:002013-03-21T11:38:33.884-07:00Choosing a dance studio or instructor<b id="internal-source-marker_0.2731550671160221" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #29303b; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Choosing a quality Dance Studio or instructor takes some research and common sense. If you are shopping around and are looking for the cheapest thing you can find, keep in mind that you generally do get what you pay for - you may learn a few steps, but you might not be learning how to dance.<br class="kix-line-break" /><br class="kix-line-break" />Some of the factors you might consider include professional certification. Some studios employ teachers who are not certified. Certification is simply a professional affirmation of a skill level, and is always nice, but perhaps you are not looking for an instructor that will drive you to winning competions in a few months.<br class="kix-line-break" /><br class="kix-line-break" />One of the things I have noted in the past is that students work best when they are comfortable and relaxed, so be sure that you actually like your instructor! That should be the first thing you decide when you start your lessons. Take advantage of a Trial lesson, which is either low cost or free. (But be prepared for the interview afterward, when the instructor or studio presents their comments and recommendations, and of course the Pitch. After all, the Studio does want to sell you lessons - it has to, to stay in business. But do not let a hard sell trap you - if the studio has to resort to being a used car salesman, it may not have a lot of confidence in its instructors.)<br class="kix-line-break" /><br class="kix-line-break" />Know what you want, going in. Do you want the personal attention you get in a private lesson? Do you want a slower paced Group lesson? You will learn faster in a private lesson, but group lessons are much less expensive, and can be a lot of fun. Would you prefer to have a small group of your friends come in together and make a private Group lesson? There are always lots of options.<br class="kix-line-break" /><br class="kix-line-break" />Look for atmosphere. Are people friendly? Is the Studio clean?<br class="kix-line-break" /><br class="kix-line-break" />And always have fun.</span></b><br />
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #29303b; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #29303b; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Peter Jones</span></b><br />
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #29303b; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">www.BallroomWeddingDance.com</span></b><br />
And check us out on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ballroom-Wedding-Dance-with-Peter-Jones/103809976323955?v=wall">Facebook</a> or <a href="http://twitter.com/#%21/dancingbrides">Twitter</a><br />
Peter Jones/BallroomWeddingDancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06290635139760189950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1750692224901956936.post-65755324093053972552013-03-21T11:36:00.002-07:002013-03-21T11:38:45.924-07:00The real partner dancing pointer!<b id="internal-source-marker_0.2731550671160221" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="color: #29303b; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The most important thing is to remember to have fun when you're dancing. Specific step patterns and rhythms are just tools you use to make the dancing (communication between two bodies) easier.</span></b><br />
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #29303b; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #29303b; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Peter Jones</span></b><br />
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #29303b; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">www.BallroomWeddingDance.com</span></b><br />
And check us out on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ballroom-Wedding-Dance-with-Peter-Jones/103809976323955?v=wall">Facebook</a> or <a href="http://twitter.com/#%21/dancingbrides">Twitter</a>Peter Jones/BallroomWeddingDancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06290635139760189950noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1750692224901956936.post-17456066045639798502013-03-21T11:34:00.000-07:002013-03-21T11:34:36.351-07:00Ballroom dancing points and positions<b id="internal-source-marker_0.2731550671160221" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #1b0431; font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-size: 17px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Just some general notes</span></span></b><br />
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #1b0431; font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-size: 17px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></b>
<br />
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #29303b; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Some basic ballroom dancing points and positions</span></b></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #29303b; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In traditional ballroom dancing, the male dancer is the lead and the female dancer follows. In all these dance positions, the lead directs the follow with body language and initiates the motion. The follow should never try to lead, nor anticipate the lead's next move.<br class="kix-line-break" />These moves are all written in terms of the actions the lead initiates.</span></b></div>
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #29303b; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="color: #29303b; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Dancing in a Closed Dance Position</span><span style="color: #29303b; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" />The lead's left hand should have straight fingers pointing to the left with thumb up. The right hand rests on the follow's shoulder blade.<br class="kix-line-break" />The follow's right hand should hook onto the lead's left hand. The left hand rests on the lead's shoulder.<br class="kix-line-break" />The lead's right arm and the follow's left arm should touch at the elbows. There should be a small amount of pressure between the couple's arms so the lead can signal to the follow.</span></b></div>
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #29303b; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="color: #29303b; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Promenade Position</span><span style="color: #29303b; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" />The leader should link the left thumb around the follow's right hand. Both dancers’ palms should face out.<br class="kix-line-break" />The lead's right hand should rest on the follow's shoulder blade, exerting direction/ pressure with the heel of the palm . The follow's left hand rests on the follow's shoulder.<br class="kix-line-break" />Both partner's hips should face out.</span></b></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #29303b; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="color: #29303b; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Open Dance Position</span><span style="color: #29303b; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" />This is a more relaxed position where the lead's hands are at waist height. The thumbs should be up and the fingers should face inwards. Take care not to wrap the thumbs around the follow's hands. The follow should hook both hands over the lead's hands.</span></b></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #29303b; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="color: #29303b; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Apart Position</span><span style="color: #29303b; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" />Dancers are not touching each other with their hands, and there is no point of contact between their bodies</span></b><br />
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #29303b; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></b>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #29303b; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Peter Jones</span></b><br />
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #29303b; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">www.BallroomWeddingDance.com</span></b><br />
And check us out on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ballroom-Wedding-Dance-with-Peter-Jones/103809976323955?v=wall">Facebook</a> or <a href="http://twitter.com/#%21/dancingbrides">Twitter</a>Peter Jones/BallroomWeddingDancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06290635139760189950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1750692224901956936.post-64478035073404311332013-03-06T08:09:00.001-08:002013-03-06T09:07:35.523-08:00<br />
<table>
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<tr><td><img src="http://static.squarespace.com/static/50c16f70e4b08bba8489af4b/t/50c22424e4b0d8191c10c938/1354900516718/maureentomdip.jpg?format=300w" />
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<td>We're married! Thanks for ALL of the dancing help (and pre-marital counseling) at times ;-) As the dip attests (How about those arm stylings!) the first dance went GREAT, thanks to you! All of our family and friends were duly impressed! Thanks for everything!
<br />
<br />
<i>
-Maureen and Tom</i>
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<i><br /></i>
<i><br /></i>
<i><br /></i>
<br />
<br />
Peter Jones<br />
<a href="http://www.ballroomweddingdance.com/">www.BallroomWeddingDance.com</a><br />
And check us out on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ballroom-Wedding-Dance-with-Peter-Jones/103809976323955?v=wall">Facebook</a> or <a href="http://twitter.com/#%21/dancingbrides">Twitter</a><br />
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Peter Jones/BallroomWeddingDancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06290635139760189950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1750692224901956936.post-64508664260919499582013-03-06T08:04:00.002-08:002013-03-06T09:07:55.129-08:00How do you do the Waltz?<h4>
<img src="http://www.perfectweddingdance.com/waltzboxpat.gif" /> Waltz is a dance in 3/4 time. </h4>
<h4>
If that doesn't mean anything to you, it doesn't matter, because anyone can do a Box Step! </h4>
<br />
<table border="1" cellpadding="5" style="width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr><td><center>
<strong>Beat/<br />Step Timing</strong></center>
</td><td><center>
<strong>Lead</strong></center>
</td><td><center>
<strong>Follow</strong></center>
</td></tr>
<tr><td><center>
1</center>
</td><td><center>
The leader steps Forward on left foot.</center>
</td><td><center>
Follower steps Backwards on right foot.</center>
</td></tr>
<tr><td><center>
2</center>
</td><td><center>
The leader steps to the side with right foot.</center>
</td><td><center>
Side with left foot.</center>
</td></tr>
<tr><td><center>
3</center>
</td><td><center>
Close the left foot to the right.</center>
</td><td><center>
Close right foot to left.</center>
</td></tr>
<tr><td><center>
4</center>
</td><td><center>
The leader steps back on the right foot.</center>
</td><td><center>
Forward on left foot.</center>
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5</center>
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Side with right foot.</center>
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Side with left foot.</center>
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6</center>
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Then closes the right foot to left.</center>
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Close left foot to right.</center>
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Peter Jones<br />
<a href="http://www.ballroomweddingdance.com/">www.BallroomWeddingDance.com</a><br />
And check us out on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ballroom-Wedding-Dance-with-Peter-Jones/103809976323955?v=wall">Facebook</a> or <a href="http://twitter.com/#%21/dancingbrides">Twitter</a><br />
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Peter Jones/BallroomWeddingDancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06290635139760189950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1750692224901956936.post-86211572002668754392013-03-05T14:07:00.001-08:002013-03-06T09:08:17.385-08:00Ballroom Dancing can kill you!!!.... NOT.<b id="internal-source-marker_0.43210952100344"><span style="color: #29303b; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Ballroom Dancing has become huge in the US and the world in recent years. Tangos, waltzes, swing and foxtrots on (the still going strong) </span>Dancing with the Stars<span style="font-weight: normal;">, there was the amazing "</span>So You Think You Can Dance<span style="font-weight: normal;">,"and numerous others... In addition to being fun and social, Ballroom dancing also significantly improves both the mind and the body.<br class="kix-line-break" /><br class="kix-line-break" />So, you wanna dance?<br class="kix-line-break" /><br class="kix-line-break" />You're probably not going to train full time for months with a top professional dance partner, but you can still get a good workout. And keep in mind, anyone who can walk can dance.... so:</span>Is ballroom dancing exercise?<span style="font-weight: normal;"><br class="kix-line-break" /><br class="kix-line-break" />Of course it depends on the type of dancing and your skill level, but once you get your heart rate up, you're certainly going to get a great cardio workout, whatever you do. Dance builds bones, and is wonderful for your upper body and strength. If you have a health problem, be careful about throwing yourself into a really fast dance style, but even if you aren't in perfect shape, be willing to go for it! Just start slow and make sure you are comfortable.<br class="kix-line-break" /><br class="kix-line-break" />Dance is a "moderate activity" say the USDA's physical activity guidelines. The g</span></span></b><b id="internal-source-marker_0.43210952100344"><span style="color: #29303b; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">uidelines</span></span></b><b><span style="color: #29303b; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> say adults should get at least 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity daily so it doesn't take much, and it is always so much easier to stick to a weight loss or health program with fun activities. Take, for instance, maybe ballroom or Latin style dance.</span></span></b><br />
<span style="color: #29303b; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br class="kix-line-break" />You might feel muscles you don't know you have! Ballroom dancing works the backs of the thighs and buttock muscles differently than many other types of exercise.</span>How can<b> ballroom dancing help the brain?</b><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br class="kix-line-break" /><br class="kix-line-break" />Increased blood flow to the brain results from any physical exercise and there's less stress, depression, and loneliness from dancing's social activity part. There are mental challenges (memorizing steps, working with your partner) making it a complex activity -- it's not just physical. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #29303b; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><b>So, how should I get started dancing?</b><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br class="kix-line-break" /><br class="kix-line-break" />* Look for a good teacher who emphasizes what you can do, is positive and works at your pace.<br class="kix-line-break" />* Don't think you have to be perfect. Professionals aren't; why should you be?<br class="kix-line-break" />* Dance is for everyone, so it doesn't matter if you sometimes worry about your size. <br class="kix-line-break" />* Get into the music, as well as the movement.<br class="kix-line-break" /><br class="kix-line-break" />Gaining any new skill brings confidence. </span></span><span style="color: #29303b; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">So have some fun, and get confident!</span><br />
<span style="color: #29303b; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
Peter Jones<br />
<a href="http://www.ballroomweddingdance.com/">www.BallroomWeddingDance.com</a><br />
And check us out on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ballroom-Wedding-Dance-with-Peter-Jones/103809976323955?v=wall">Facebook</a> or <a href="http://twitter.com/#%21/dancingbrides">Twitter</a><br />
Peter Jones/BallroomWeddingDancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06290635139760189950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1750692224901956936.post-27399617462299011892013-02-27T13:28:00.005-08:002013-03-06T09:08:31.738-08:00Brooke & Michael<br />
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<span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; color: #777777; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14px;">Brooke & Michael working with Peter Jones on their Texas 2-Step for their First Dance. They soak up an amazing amount in their first lesson... and its <b>the day after he proposes!</b> How romantic is that!!! </span><br />
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Peter Jones<br />
<a href="http://www.ballroomweddingdance.com/">www.BallroomWeddingDance.com</a><br />
And check us out on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ballroom-Wedding-Dance-with-Peter-Jones/103809976323955?v=wall">Facebook</a> or <a href="http://twitter.com/#%21/dancingbrides">Twitter</a><br />
Peter Jones/BallroomWeddingDancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06290635139760189950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1750692224901956936.post-58822210636437108992013-02-15T12:01:00.002-08:002013-03-06T09:08:47.295-08:00Asmena and Fahim started dance lessons for their wedding only a week before the day. Their song is "Misty Blue," a Viennese Waltz. In this first hour, we started out with a simple hesitation step, added a separation break, plus a turn! Everything is easy once you know how! (and a little practice.) We'll see how things go in their next lessons, but I am certain we'll be able to put together a great, simple dance in only a few lessons.<br />
(Update: They are off to their wedding in India. and in their last lesson, they looked great! Elegant, fluid, relaxed and happy! Hopefully they'll be able to send a video!)<br />
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Peter Jones</div>
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<a href="http://www.ballroomweddingdance.com/">www.BallroomWeddingDance.com</a></div>
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And check us out on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ballroom-Wedding-Dance-with-Peter-Jones/103809976323955?v=wall">Facebook</a> or <a href="http://twitter.com/#%21/dancingbrides">Twitter</a></div>
Peter Jones/BallroomWeddingDancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06290635139760189950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1750692224901956936.post-6843823886833811042013-02-15T11:48:00.003-08:002013-03-06T09:09:31.683-08:00Music tells you how to dance!It's your song which determines what type of dance you do!<br />
For instance, salsa, foxtrot, swing, bachat,... are all specific dance styles that're appropriate for specific songs. The word Waltz is often used as a generic term, for a wedding dance, e.g. Wedding Waltz, but it is actually a specific type of music in 3/4 time (Moon River, Journey's "Open Arms" or Norah Jones' "Come Away With Me" are waltzes.)<br />
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Peter Jones<br />
<a href="http://www.ballroomweddingdance.com/">www.BallroomWeddingDance.com</a><br />
And check us out on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ballroom-Wedding-Dance-with-Peter-Jones/103809976323955?v=wall">Facebook</a> or <a href="http://twitter.com/#%21/dancingbrides">Twitter</a><br />
Peter Jones/BallroomWeddingDancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06290635139760189950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1750692224901956936.post-18926856562374478942013-01-17T08:37:00.000-08:002013-03-06T09:10:10.405-08:00Rumba /Salsa combo! BeginnersI'm teaching Alexis and Kerry, in only 3 lessons, a beautiful Rumba /Salsa combo for the wedding next week!<br />
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3r0kEewJPZk">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3r0kEewJPZk</a><br />
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Peter Jones<br />
<a href="http://www.ballroomweddingdance.com/">www.BallroomWeddingDance.com</a><br />
And check us out on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ballroom-Wedding-Dance-with-Peter-Jones/103809976323955?v=wall">Facebook</a> or <a href="http://twitter.com/#%21/dancingbrides">Twitter</a>Peter Jones/BallroomWeddingDancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06290635139760189950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1750692224901956936.post-41019653467513160622013-01-11T08:19:00.001-08:002013-01-17T09:26:03.551-08:00Dancing together is truly a beautiful, fulfilling experience. It is a perfect metaphor for any couple, especially a couple getting married, as in the learning how to do it, whether its Latin, Ballroom or Rhythm dance, its all about give and take, the constant flow of communication, creating a beautiful unity.<br />
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Peter Jones<br />
<a href="http://www.ballroomweddingdance.com/">www.BallroomWeddingDance.com</a><br />
And check us out on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ballroom-Wedding-Dance-with-Peter-Jones/103809976323955?v=wall">Facebook</a> or <a href="http://twitter.com/#%21/dancingbrides">Twitter</a>Peter Jones/BallroomWeddingDancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06290635139760189950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1750692224901956936.post-70414797554064435922013-01-09T10:13:00.000-08:002013-01-17T09:26:22.660-08:00Rumba - the most useful dance to learn. Some history<div>
Continuing my series of blogs about current social dances, their origins, etc....<br />
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The rumba is my default social dance, a box step in 4/4 time, that while primarily a slow Latin dance, can be done to many different styles and tempos of music. It will be the dance you use more than any other when you go dancing.<br />
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Some background and a brief rumba history!</div>
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Rumba's two primary sources are Spanish and African, and it developed primarily in Cuba.</div>
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The "rumba influence" came in the 16th century with African slaves. The native Rumba folk dance is essentially a sex pantomime danced fast with exaggerated hip movements, the man's sensually aggressive attitude countered by a defensive one on the part of the woman.</div>
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As recently as the second world war, the "Son," a modified, slower and more refined version of the native Rumba. Very small steps are taken, with the women producing a very subtle tilting of the hips, alternately bending and straightening the knees.</div>
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The American Rumba is a modified version of the "Son", and while the first serious attempt to introduce the Rumba to the United States was by Lew Quinn and<a href="http://www.streetswing.com/histmai2/d2jswyr1.htm"> Joan Sawyer</a> in 1913, real interest in Latin music didn't begin until the late 1920's when <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xavier_Cugat">Xavier Cugat</a> formed an orchestra that specialized in Latin American music.</div>
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In 1935, George Raft played the part of a suave dancer in the movie "Rumba", a light weight musical where the hero finally wins the heiress (Carol Lombard) through a mutual love of dancing.</div>
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In Europe, the introduction of Latin American dancing (Rumba in particular) owed much to the enthusiasm and interpretive ability of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monsieur_Pierre">Monsieur Pierre</a> (London's leading teacher in this dance form). In the 1930's he and his partner, Doris Lavelle, demonstrated and popularized Latin American dancing. Pierre and Lavelle introduced the true "Cuban Rumba" which was eventually established, after much contention, as the official version in 1955.</div>
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Rumba is the heart and soul of Latin American dance and music, and it's fascinating rhythms and bodily expressions make the Rumba one of the most popular ballroom dances.<br />
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Peter Jones<br />
<a href="http://www.ballroomweddingdance.com/">www.BallroomWeddingDance.com</a><br />
And check us out on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ballroom-Wedding-Dance-with-Peter-Jones/103809976323955?v=wall">Facebook</a> or <a href="http://twitter.com/#%21/dancingbrides">Twitter</a></div>
Peter Jones/BallroomWeddingDancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06290635139760189950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1750692224901956936.post-30229997839154253872013-01-04T07:47:00.003-08:002013-01-17T09:27:04.583-08:00Friday!Took the day off yesterday taking care of my sick little boy :-( http://on.fb.me/UL4yIl<br />
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Back tonight with 3 new couples! Happy New Year!<br />
(Last days for post Xmas special - http://bit.ly/YSRS0Y)<br />
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Peter Jones<br />
<a href="http://www.ballroomweddingdance.com/">www.BallroomWeddingDance.com</a><br />
And check us out on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ballroom-Wedding-Dance-with-Peter-Jones/103809976323955?v=wall">Facebook</a> or <a href="http://twitter.com/#%21/dancingbrides">Twitter</a><br />
<br />Peter Jones/BallroomWeddingDancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06290635139760189950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1750692224901956936.post-75163514450866329792013-01-02T07:54:00.003-08:002013-03-06T09:06:49.444-08:00How do you do a Foxtrot?<table><tbody>
<tr><td>Foxtrot is a casually elegant dance invented sometime between 1910-1914 by <span style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;"> </span><b style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Fox">Harry Fox</a></b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;">, </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;">a </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vaudeville" style="background-color: white; background-image: none; color: #0b0080; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.200000762939453px; text-decoration: initial;" title="Vaudeville">vaudeville</a> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;">dancer and comedian. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;">For social dance purposes, the Foxtrot, as it is currently done, is a travelling dance... that is, a dance which moves around the dance floor -- as opposed to a "Spot" dance, a dance which stay in one place.</span></td><td></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;">1. The Leader takes a</span> step Forward: (walk forward with the left foot);<br />
2. Then steps Forward with the right foot<br />
3. Place your left foot to the Side with a small step<br />
4. Close your right foot to left, transferring weight to right foot.<br />
Repeat! <br />
The Follower takes the same steps, moving backwards, starting with the Right foot.<br />
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You often dance the Foxtrot to standards such as The Way You Look Tonight, Fly Me to the Moon, etc, but you also use it in contemporary songs.<br />
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(We can talk about the Rhythm pattern - 4 steps in 6 beats of music, and various styling a little more later, but that's it, basically.)<br />
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It isn't complicated: just walk two steps, take a small step to the side, and close your feet together with the 4th step! (<a href="http://www.perfectweddingdance.com/steps.html">Animation of the above step</a>.)<br />
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(Compared with today's standards, the original Foxtrot was moderately fast, simple and unrefined. It was the rise to fame of <a href="http://www.paragonragtime.com/castle.html">Vernon and Irene Castle's</a> exhibition dances that led the elite of the dance world to try to capture the fox-trot's unusual style of movement, but it wasn't until the early 30's that Foxtrot began to take on the smoother and more flowing quality we recognize in today's dance.)<br />
<img src="http://www.perfectweddingdance.com/foxtrot%20basic.gif" /><br />
Peter Jones<br />
<a href="http://www.ballroomweddingdance.com/">www.BallroomWeddingDance.com</a><br />
And check us out on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ballroom-Wedding-Dance-with-Peter-Jones/103809976323955?v=wall">Facebook</a> or <a href="http://twitter.com/#%21/dancingbrides">Twitter</a><br />
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Peter Jones/BallroomWeddingDancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06290635139760189950noreply@blogger.com0