ONE TIME ONLY... Thai Yoga Massage Workshop!

Dana De Luz Studio is honored to have Al Turner II teach this wonderful healing practice. Please, don't miss out on gaining from Al's experience and training in and out of Thailand while enjoying his gentleness and humor.

This a great opportunity with lasting benefits and memories.

Happy April Fool's Day! New Classes! No kidding!

Happy April Fool's Day... but this is no joke. With the NEW month comes NEW classes at a NEW location!You may now...
Posted by Dana De Luz Dance Studio on Tuesday, March 31, 2015

Kicking off 2015

We're ready to kick off a brand new year. (Look out, Rockettes)! 

We are excited to add a new Teen Ballroom class on Tuesdays! Two more new classes are in the works. A split class of contemporary and jazz for grade school students and we're working to add a tap class for all ages.

Please contact us via email, call (928) 862-0118, or find us on Facebook for more information or to sign up for classes. To see a calendar click here.

Classes to sign up for in 2015 are...

Tuesdays: Teen ballroom at 4:30pm

Thursdays: Adult classes - Salsa at 6:30pm and West Coast Swing at 7:30pm

Saturdays: Kids Creative Dance at 10am 

See you in the studio!

Support Dance Night at Sound Bites Grill

Finding a place to dance in Sedona hasn't always been easy in. Many places have music but no dance floor. Other places have a great floor and no dancing. Then there are the great places that discontinued dancing for various reasons. Finally, along came Sound Bites Grill with a dedicated dance floor and a good selection of bands.

Sound Bites Grill as been voted the best place to dance in Sedona for the past several years and now it's giving back big time to the dance community with a weekly dance night. Every Tuesday night a different dance band will begin playing at 7pm until 10pm. Owners Michele and Steven have expanded the dance floor area and removed walls to open up the space. They also added, new nightclub lighting, lighter menu items (because we dancers eat light), and a reverse Happy Hour from 9-10pm.

We have attended the first two of these Tuesday night Dance Nights. The first night the band was 3MKi and they were outstanding! They asked for the dancers' opinions during their breaks and took in what they heard providing us with great dance sets. Last week was a little disappointing. The band played fewer danceable tunes than we would have liked. This week, I suspect the room will be packed like the first night. JC and the Juke Rockers are scheduled to play. They will provide lots of rock, R&B, and Blues for Swing dancing (East and West Coast), Nightclub 2-step, and maybe even a Cha-Cha or two. :) Check them out on YouTube for a sampling of what they play.

We hope to see you out dancing at Sound Bites Grill this and every Tuesday! Let's support those who support dancing. Cover is just $8.00.

Stop by and say hi to my husband, Tony and I and... enjoy the dancing!

Children's Dance Classes begin August 16th!

Fall classes will begin on Saturday, August 16th!
Tell your kids. Tell your friends. Tell your friends' kids! 

Saturday classes will be...
Creative Dance ages 2.5-5 at 10am-10:45am.
Pre-Ballet ages 5-7 at 11am-11:45am.

Social/Ballroom for ages 6 and up is also open for registration! Date and time TBD.

Please, call Dana at (928) 862-0118 for more info AND TO REGISTER YOUR CHILD/REN!

We are looking forward to a creative, enlightening, and fun year of dance. :)

Summer Classes Begin May 27th! Call to Register NOW!

Summer classes for KIDS, TEENS, and ADULTS!

- Baby & Me is for parent and baby age 6 weeks to 2 1/2 years and is a one hour stimulating fun workout and bonding experience.

- Creative Dance is for 2 1/2 to 5 year old children that love to move, stretch, imagine, and giggle. The kids get a real dance workout while we make believe we are mermaids/men, shakes in a straw, pizza chefs, circus performers, animals etc. This is a highly active 45 minute class. This is an ongoing class.

- Preballet is for 5-7 year old children to learn the very basics of ballet while still using imagery and pretend to facilitate movements. This is an ongoing class.

- Social Dance & Social Graces is a specialty class for different grade levels. Students will learn how to dance with a partner in a respectful way to music they enjoy. Dance manners and basic social graces like when to answer/be on your cell phone, how to introduce yourself, how to enter a conversation gracefully without interrupting will be included. This is a one hour class each day for 10-days Monday-Friday. The final day is a one hour social dance! Grade levels include: entering 1st-6th grades, entering 7th & 8th grades, and entering 9th-12th grades.

- Dance for Stage Performers is a specialty summer class for ALL ages. This class will cover stage direction, moving in character, movement and stretch for actors. We will introduce students to theatrical dance steps as well as common dances used in party/club scenes like waltz, foxtrot, tango, mambo, Charleston, and Lindy Hop/Swing. Music selections will all be from musical theatre productions. This is a one hour class each day for 10-days Monday-Friday.

- Lindy Hop/Swing for Teens & Adults is a regular Tuesday night class at 6:30pm. We work on Lindy Hop and East Coast Swing steps.

- American Rhythm PLUS for Adults is a regular Thursday night class at 6:30pm. We work on our Latin rhythm and footwork in Rumba, Cha-Cha, PLUS Salsa and Merengue.

- American Ballroom Smooth PLUS for Teens & Adults is a regular Thursday night class at 7:30pm. We concentrate on Waltz, Foxtrot, American Tango, PLUS Nightclub 2-step... all of which have smooth gliding motions and heel leads.

- Country Dance for Teens & Adults is a new offering (time TBD). We will teach Arizona 2-step, Country Waltz, and Country Swing.

Cost: Discount “Little Happy Feet” 10-class cards are available for the Creative Dancers (2 1/2 - 5 years) at a cost of $60. All other students/parents may purchase a “Happy Feet” 10-class discount card for $80. Drop-in fees are also available.

Studio Location: 815 Lee Mountain Road in the VOC

NOTE: Dates and times will be selected based on enrollment and parent convenience. All classes are subject to cancellation if a minimum of 6 dancers is not met and maintained.

For more info, to suggest a class, and to register:
Please, call Dana at (928) 862-0118 or send an email to dancingdana64@gmail.com

NOTE: LINDY HOP CANCELLED FOR LABOR DAY HOLIDAY

This week's Monday night Lindy Hop class (Sept. 2nd) is cancelled for the Labor Day Holiday.

Enjoy your day and we will see you next week :)

September Class Schedule!

What dance classes are offered in September you ask?
We answer with a comprehensive listing 

Mondays:
7pm Lindy Hop
Thursdays:
10:30am Baby & Me*
6:30pm Ballroom - Smooth dances
7:30pm Ballroom - Latin dances
Saturdays:
10:30am Creative Dance for ages 2.5-5
11:30am Pre-ballet for ages 6-7*

NOTE: the 2 classes with an * will begin only when 6 students have signed up. Call (928) 862-0118 to learn more or be added to a class list.

Stay Connected...

Looking for more ways to stay up-to-date with what's going on at Dana De Luz Dance Studio and the Sedona Social Dance Scene?

Try this...
click on either link above and you will be rushed through cyber space to the Dana De Luz dance Facebook page or the meetup.com page with all sorts of dance classes and outings in and around Sedona, AZ :)

As always feel free to email or call us at (928) 862-0118 for information on group classes and private or semi-private lessons.

Have a great day and don't forget to dance :)

Dana

Dancing on the 4th and beyond!

Happy IndepenDANCE Day!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2R1jiVcIGcg

If dancing is a freedom you wish to enjoy on the 4th of July, may I suggest going to Sound Bites Grill?

Some great All-American Swing music will be playing from 6-9pm! The event is part of a benefit for the family of the late Greg Aitken, a fantastic local school teacher, mentor, and musician. This FREE event begins at 4pm... dancing begins at 6pm and... raffles will be held throughout the night. Proceeds from the raffles will be given to Greg's wife and two daughters.  

For the weekend try...

Friday night: 

At the Martini Bar (282-9288) beginning at 7:30p you can break out your Latin moves to the music of the Eric Miller Band. So, ready your rumba and study your samba for the evening. 

Over at Sound Bites Grill starting a 8p is Sir Harrison and the Blues Kings. Blues are always good for West Coast Swing, Argentine Tango and of course, blues dancing.

Saturday night:

At the Sedona Elk's Club, you can enjoy dinner and dancing. It's country music all night with the band Renegades. Spaghetti dinner begins at 5:30p with your choice of meat or vegetarian sauce and dancing kicks off at 6p. Polish up your boots and let them glide along the laminate tile floor. :)

For more country tunes you'll have to venture outside Sedona. The 1000 Trails Clubhouse (on 1000 Trails Road, 928-567-9862, off highway 260 between Cottonwood and Camp Verde) presents Hired Hands every Saturday night, 6-9p playing a good mix of country and rock. Food is served from 5-7p. 

Sunday afternoon:

You can always find dancing at the Cottonwood American Legion from 2-5p!  Throughout July dance music will be provided by these two bands...

-Happy Days, with Charleah Allen, playing great tunes of the 50s, 60s and 70s or... 

-Renegades which plays with a Western flavor, but also adds in some Latin rhythms as well. 

Please, note Sound Bites Grill and Martini Bar have poured concrete floors. Wear shoes that will allow you to spin at least 180 degrees without hesitation.

Now, GO DANCE! :D 

Get your weekend started TONIGHT!

There are some great dance venues this weekend and it begins TONIGHT....

Thursday, April 25th:
Head over to Marketplace Cafe (MPC) in the Factory Outlets in the Village of Oak Creek (VOC). Susannah Martin and Eric Miller take the stage at 6pm to play some Latin rhythms. If your salsa is rusty, come to the group salsa class tonight at 7:30pm at Dana De Luz Dance Studio. Class is being held at Canyon Moon Theatre... also in the Outlet Mall. NOTE: This is a tile floor with deep grout lines. Lower heels are best.

Friday the 26th:
Cliff Castle Casino's Dragonfly Lounge has the X's Band. Get your Latin on because this band plays a huge variety of Latin dance music. Be ready to stay up late. The X's Band doesn't start until 9pm. If you miss them Friday night, come Saturday night for an encore!

Saturday the 27th:
Sound Bites Grill in Uptown has Tom Tayback and the Daddy O's to get you swinging to some rock'n'roll. Whether you dance East Coast or West Coast Swing you can get on the floor. Bring your nightclub 2-step, rumba, cha-cha. waltz, ect., because these guys play everything! It starts at 6pm. NOTE: The dance floor is poured concrete which has texture. Leave the ballroom suede shoes at home and go with a smooth leather instead.

Also Saturday, over in Clarkdale at the 10-12 Lounge, the Sammy Davis Band plays beginning at 8pm. These guys put on a GREAT show for everyone... dancers and non dancers alike. They are a talented band that plays rock, R&B, funk and much more.

Remember if you want to brush up on your dancing, call Dana De Luz Dance Studio at 862-1008 to schedule a private lesson or join our group lessons on Thursday nights (TONIGHT)... Waltz 6:30p and Salsa at 7:30p. Please call ahead to get directions.

Have a GREAT weekend!
Dana

Weekend checklist: Take dance class, practice, go dancing!

Another weekend approaches and every dance enthusiast needs to know where to go dancing.

Let's start with taking a class tonight (Thursday) with Dana De Luz Dance Studio. Join our smooth class at 6:30pm featuring Waltz steps that can be used in other dances. Get things heated up by taking the Salsa class at 7:30pm. For details call 862-0118.

Students often ask about practicing.... how long, how often? Answer: Practice as often as possible even if that means for a short time. 15 minutes a day may be all you can do but it's better than not practicing. Go through as many steps as you can remember CORRECTLY. NEVER practice steps you are unsure about. You don't want to create bad habits. Instead, make a list of steps you need to work on and consider taking a private class for clarification.

Try out your new skills on a social dance floor this weekend.

The best dance spot in Sedona continues to be Sound Bites Grill at the Hyatt Shops in Uptown. Friday night they have Sir Harrison and the Blues Kings at 8pm but I recommend Saturday night dancing with the Rhythmystics at 8pm and Sunday night at 6pm with Susannah Martin & Eric Miller. Rhythmistics plays plenty of swings, rumba, niteclub 2-steps, and fox trots. Martin & Miller are known for their Latin Jazz so practice your Latin dances... you will use them all!


On Sat. April 13th you can combine class and social dancing or just the social part. Head over to Sedona Pilates in West Sedona for a class in beginning NiteClub 2-step at 7pm , intermediate steps at 7:30p, and open dancing begins at 8pm until 11pm.  Your hosts are Joyce and Thomas and the cost is $8.00 for both class and dancing or $5 for open dancing. For more info call Thomas at 301-0770.

In the VOC, Marketplace Cafe has the Michelle Williams & Alan Standingbear duo Friday night at 6pm. They sing a little bit of everything... so be ready for anything. Saturday night at 6pm Seymour and Cyge play Baby Boomer classics.... that means swing, niteclub 2-step, and some Latin rhythms will be danceable. NOTE: the grout lines between the tiles on the dance floor are deep so, wear a lower heel ladies.

Know of another dance venue? Feel free to post it below!


 

Soooo much dancing...

Whether you travel near or far, there are plenty of night spots for dancing in Northern Arizona, this weekend. In fact, you may just want to hop from one spot to the next!

On Friday night the 8th...

- Check out LeAnne Leman and Steve Sandner at Marketplace Cafe 6-9pm in the VOC for some smooth swinging jazz standards, sultry blues & ballads, and romantic bossa novas for your dancing pleasure.  That means you can swing (east or west coast), fox trot, night club 2-step, rumba and even argentine tango your night away.

- Also, the Rhythmistics play at Sound Bites Grill in the Hyatt shops beginning at 8pm. This band performs 60's-70's dance music to groove with your partner freestyle or you can partner dance when you hear the swing, rumba, cha-cha, nightclub 2-step, west coast swing and argentine tango beats they turn out.

Saturday the 9th...

Experienced swing dancers... there's a GREAT DEAL to be had on a Swing aerials class 3-5pm in NAU's Rolle Activities Center, room 103. IT'S JUST $5 per dancer for 2 hours of training! This class is hosted by both NAU and ASU swing dance clubs. You can find more info on Facebook... just search Aerials with ASU! *** NOTE: you will need a partner.***

- At the Sedona Pilates Studio (1350 West State Route 89A)  in the New Frontiers Marketplace Center you can get a dance class and open dancing for just $8.00. The night's theme is a "SoulTrain Tribute" and the dance lesson show you how to combine "free style dance" with West Coast Swing! For more info contact Thomas Felix tfelix88@yahoo.com or call 928-301-0770.

- In Clarkdale, the final Big Band dance of the season kicks off at 6:30pm until 9:30pm with Sentimental Journey featuring vocals by Jeannie Carrol. This is THE BEST wooden dance floor in the area. The glide is smooth and it's got plenty of room to move around. It's $10.00 at the door to get in and light snacks and soft drinks for sale. *** NOTE: Bring your ballroom shoes, They are best on a wood floor.***

- You will find Rosemary Chavez and the Platinum Trio at Marketplace Cafe in the VOC from 6-9pm. They play lots of great fox trots! It's an easy listening easy dancing kind of vibe.

- Sammy Davis Band will have the dance floor rockin' over at PJ's Pub also in the VOC. He hits the stage at 9pm. Sammy plays music for every dance known to man. So, if he hasn't played what you want to hear... just ask him nicely :D

Sunday the 10th...

- Susannah Martin & Eric Miller are at Sound Bites Grill starting at 6pm. Their infectious Latin rhythms  will draw you out on the floor to work your hips. Whether they play rumba, samba, bolero, cha-cha or meringue beats the results are fun to dance to.

Enjoy your weekend! I hope to run into you on the dance floor... well, you know what I mean.

Dana

 

Where are YOU dancing this weekend?

After reading the papers and searching my emails, here are my picks for the best dance spots on Sedona and the VOC this weekend:

Friday the 1st of March...
Check out Rosemary Chaves and Steve Sandner at Marketplace Cafe in the VOC Outlet Mall. They'll begin crooning old standards like Sinatra, some Ellington swing and a little Latin jazz at 6pm.  So brush up on your swing, fox trot, rumba, cha-cha and maybe some night club 2-step. They'll be entertaining from 6-9pm. Ladies a lower heel is best on this tiled dance floor.

Saturday the 2nd...
Marketplace Cafe makes the list again with a couple I just met a few weeks ago... Diversity. Tim and Renee play music from the 1920's to current songs you'll love to sing and dance to.... soulful and fun. Again, Ladies a lower heel is best on this tiled dance floor.

If you don't mind traveling a piece...
Friday and Saturday night at the Ranch House in Rimrock is a great little family band called the Hired Hands playing 6-9pm. {4250 N. Montezuma, 928-567-4492} They are mostly country but they play rhythms to swing, rumba, cha-cha, fox trot, waltz and... of yeah even country 2-step.

Sunday at the Cottonwood American Legion 2-5pm is Happy Days! They know the music that gets people on the dance floor.

Know of anywhere else for good dancing? Please, post below!

NEW "Baby & Me" Dance Class Opens!

Dana De Luz dance Studio is thrilled to announce the brand new "Baby & Me" dance class will open on Thursday, Feb. 21st!

This class has been in development for some time and it's debut is exciting. Class will include stretching, toning, dancing and bonding with baby. Parents and caregivers of infants through 30 months of age are welcome to join us.

"Baby & Me" dance class will be held every Thursday beginning Feb. 21st 4-5pm. Bring a floor mat and towel or baby blanket for you own comfort.

Baby sitting for older children IS available on site. Please, tip the baby sitter.

Class cost is as low as $8. per class with the purchase of a discount card! Please call, Dana, at 862-0118 to be added to the class list.

Join us and bring your friends. Your 1st class is Free!

Our FIRST Community Social Dance!

Our FIRST Community Social Dance and we'll have LIVE music!

Mark you calendars... save your pennies and... bring your friends!

Dana De Luz Dance Studio will host it's first open community dance night
on Saturday, February 23rd from 7-11pm. We are located in the Oak Creek Factory Outlets Suite A-7 next door to Canyon Moon Theatre in the Village of Oak Creek near beautiful Sedona, AZ.

What will it cost to get in?...
Since it's our first community dance we're going to leave that up to you. Simply, leave a donation at the door. We kindly suggest a donation of $15 for the dance class AND open dancing OR $10 for open dancing only. Current students with a "Happy Feet" class card can use one punch for the class and a half punch for the open dancing OR just one punch for open dancing only. That's a savings of $3 to $6! It's good to be a student at Dana De Luz Dance Studio :)

Give generously...
All proceeds will go directly to the purchase of our school's dance floor. The sooner we can afford it... the sooner you can dance upon it :) Note: There is only a cement sub-floor for now. Your best bet for footwear is a leather soled shoe, a dance sneaker, or a shoe that's well worn down and smooth on the bottom.

The night will begin...
with an East Coast Swing lesson from Dana De Luz and Dr. Grant Johnson beginning at 7pm and the fun will continue with open dancing until 11pm.

Who's playing the music?...
Our first musical guest will be the multi-talented Eric Williams!

Eric is a highly accomplished musician and performer who is capable of playing a wide genre of music. This makes Eric a great choice to play at a dance event. Eric will play everything you can imagine: all kinds of swing tunes, rumbas, fox trots, waltz, cha-chas, nightclub 2-steps, country 2-steps, samba, salsa, merengue and tango.

Eric is also a dance enthusiast... so expect to see him out on the dance floor when he's not playing.

Who's invited?
Everyone's invited! All ages. All dance levels. Even non-dancers who want to come watch and listen to some great music and dancing are invited.

Please, Share. 
Tell your friends, neighbors, FB friends, dance friends, work friends, your kids' friends, music lovers... anyone really. If this is a hit, we'll do it more often!

New Studio Space in the Works!

On Thursday, January 6th, 2013 the new Dana De Luz Dance Studio space will be open for business!

The new facility will include 1,700+ sq. feet of dance studio space, a welcoming lobby, a conference room, storage room, changing room and bath room, of course. The space will be shared with our neighbor Canyon Moon Theatre for their rehearsal use. Others may rent out the conference room or the main room studio for meetings, seminars, fitness classes, performance art, fine art showings ect.

We'd love to have you or your children come dance in this great new space! Dana De Luz Dance Studio current classes include...
-Adult ballroom/social Thursday nights at 7:30p
-Creative dance for ages 2.5-5 is offered Tuesday and Thursday at 3:30p and also Saturdays at 10:30a
-Private lessons are always available by appointment

Classes opening soon...
-"Baby & Me": A chance to workout WITH your baby. No daycare needed :)
-Preballet for ages 5-7 to learn what it's like to be in ballet class
-A Dancer's Workout: Created from many years of dance training

-Ballroom and Latin Dance fitness: a cardio and toning class all-in-one with moves you can use!

For more information call Dana De Luz Dance Studio at 928-862-0118 or post your questions/comments below.

Here's a look at some before clean-up pictures and a few during clean-up pictures.
Enjoy and come dance with us!

Who will win the Mirror Ball Trophy?

It's down to the final three dancers in this season's All-Star season of DWTS. All-Women have survived to dance another day.

Each of the the three gals performed their favorite dance number from this season and a Super Sized Freestyle.

Melissa and her partner, Tony, danced their samba that the judges called their break out dance this season and again it was met with high scores. Their contemporary freestyle was also scored highly but I didn't think it had as much emotion as the judges said it had and the choreography was a bit weak. Tony chose to use the contemporary style to show off Melissa's technique and softness after just performing an upbeat samba.

Kelly and her pro, Val, have been the center of much rumor this season over their close relationship. Neither one was talking about whether their romance is real or just for the cameras but... they certainly played it to the hilt during their steamy paso doble and later in their freestyle version of the famous final dance in the movie Dirty Dancing. Although I don't think Kelly is the strongest choice to win, she did herself proud with these two numbers.

Shawn and Derrick turned in two highly energetic and athletic (no surprise) dances. They chose to bring back the quickstep that the judges blasted them for rules breaking. Although Shawn questioned Derrick about keeping the routine the same, they still broke hold and kept the lifts and tricks that are a no-no in quickstep. Again the judges wagged less than perfect scores but the pair is hoping the fans will award them more kindness. For their freestyle, they brought out the Fantastic 5! Yes, the U.S. Olympic woman's gold medal gymnastic team were their back up dancers. No rule breaking here but what an advantage! It was certainly and All-Star Super Sized freestyle.

So, who should win? The former cheerleader become TV host, Melissa Rycroft, who is the only competitor who has NOT won a Mirrorball trophy? Soap star, Kelly Monaco, who has the least training but danced like a winner all while keeping the fans in suspense over rumors? Or Olympian, Shawn Johnson, who just wanted to regain her self worth by proving she's more than just a gymnast?

One more dance... the dreaded Insta-dance is the last showdown before the Mirrorball is awarded. A blind selection of music and 30-minutes to prepare is all each couple has left to prove they deserve to win. Who will you vote for?

2 Great Dance Spots for Saturday Night

Hi Dancers,

The two best dance opportunities in Sedona both happen on Saturday night, November 17th. So, pick one or the other or go to BOTH!

In the Hyatt Shops, La Cubanita's plays a whole host of danceable Latin tunes. Break out your salsa, mambo, cha-cha, meringue and rumba. Don't forget to have a bite to eat the menu is outstanding! www.soundbitesgrill.com

Further into Uptown at Canyon Breeze, dance to the Sammy Davis Band. These are some of Sedona's finest musicians and performers. They play a wide range of music including R&B, funk, rock, and beautiful ballads for slow dancing. You can dance freestyle, east and west coast swing, cha-cha, rumba, salsa, fox trot, nightclub 2-step and maybe even a waltz. Sammy may even teach you how to Wobble!
Check out this clip of Sammy...

All the live music begins a 8pm and both venues have poured concrete dance floors so... I suggest wearing a leather bottomed shoe. Leave your ballroom shoes at home. A leather sole will give you better turning ability on a cement surface. Cement will tear up the suede soles of your ballroom shoes and slow down your turns.

Remember, if you need lessons (group or private) give me a call 862-0118. See you on the dance floor!

Dana

Your Best Bet for Dancing this Saturday Night

In my humble opinion, the best spot for ballroom dancing this weekend is in Clarkdale on Saturday the 10th.

These are rare opportunities (only 5 each year) to dance to a great 15 piece big band playing the great music of the 30's and 40's.

So, grab your dancing shoes and head out to Clarkdale Memorial Hall at 19 North 9th Street. Be there at 6:30p and dance until 9:30p. It's $10.00 at the door and non-alcoholic drinks are for sale on site. Bring a snack, some friends, and family. It's perfect for all ages.

(photo by Bryan Chambers beflyer@msn.com)

I hope to see you on their big beautiful wood dance floor!

Dana