While TV viewers marvel — or sometimes shriek with laughter — over the footwork on “Dancing With The Stars,” everybody is a star at DanceWorks in downtown Redmond.
The state-of-the-art dance facility offers group or individual instruction in all forms of social and ballroom dance and twice-a-week dance parties which are open to the community.
Ten years ago, DanceWorks manager Scott Franklin and his partner Suzanna Persa were teaching social dance in aerobics studios or private homes. “Suzanna really wanted to have a professional space, dedicated to dance,” Franklin noted. Voila! In September 2001, DanceWorks opened at its current location, 16641 Redmond Way.
“Our first dance party was the Friday after 9/11,” Franklin reminisced. They didn’t expect anyone to show up. But 40 people came. “We did a short prayer and then we had a party. You wouldn’t have thought it was a good time to open a business. But students have been very good to us and we’ve tried to reciprocate.”
Back at that distressing time — and again today, when people are frightened by reports of economic disaster — we’ve needed something to take our minds off the doom and gloom, as well as ways to strengthen personal relationships.
“We see people come in, who tend to be reserved, looking at ways to express themselves and then they go on to dance in competitions or costumes. It’s a mixed bag of personalities and they all come in for different reasons,” Franklin said. “It’s a skill that will last them for the rest of their lives. People have met spouses and had their (wedding) receptions here. … Couples often reserve one or two nights just for themselves, to go dancing, for bonding. Or for singles, meeting people is a component of what we do. We primarily focus on social aspects, then the technical aspects.”
Reality TV shows like “Dancing With The Stars” and “So You Think You Can Dance” have created more educated newcomers, said instructor Kat Morrison.
Instructor Alison Strong agreed, “They already know the difference between a Fox Trot and a Rhumba.”
Some come in to improve their dancing for a special occasion, like a wedding, anniversary or cruise vacation. And younger people are coming in, including groups of high schoolers who want to organize dance performances for their Culminating Projects.
“Ballroom dancing went from ‘something Grandma did’ to something they saw on TV,” said Morrison.
The dance parties, which include refreshments, are a good place to practice skills and discover new music, they noted.
“You can see what a style of dance looks like at other levels,” Morrison explained.
Experienced dancers who want to compete can also participate in showcases which happen four times a year at DanceWorks — linked to Valentine’s Day, springtime, an anniversary party in September and a holiday party.
Assistant manager Jeremy Virden said Swing and Salsa are currently the most popular classes at DanceWorks. Introductory sampler packages allow new students to check out many styles and decide which ones they prefer.
“They realize that they have options, each evokes a different emotion,” Franklin added.
Group course series begin at the start of every month and DanceWorks’ Web site includes a Frequently Asked Questions section to help get you started. For example, you don’t need a partner to participate.
Or just come to one of the dance parties:
Wednesday Night Salsa parties run from 8:30-11:30 p.m. Admission is $6.
On Friday nights, there are group classes (for rotating dance styles) at 8:15 p.m., followed by a 9 p.m. practice party. To attend both the class and party costs $10 for the general public. For just the party, admission is $8 for the general public or $5 for active students. If active students bring a new guest, both they and the guest get in free.
For more information, call (425) 869-7595 or visit www.danceworksstudio.com.
