Sign up for Summer Dance Classes!

I'm gearing up for the Summer Activities Fair at Big Park Community School in the Village of Oak Creek on May 3rd at 5pm. Come out and see what's going on for kids and adults this summer. I'll be taking sign-ups for kids (and kids at heart) ages 3 and up. 

Moms and Dads don't forget about yourselves! You can sign up to take a "Date Night" dance class!

Also... if you have teenagers, I'll be offering swing and Latin dance classes!!! Both swing and Latin are very popular on college campuses across the nation. NAU has a thriving swing and Latin dance community.


Dance is a beneficial activity for ALL ages. It's cardio and calorie burning qualities improve overall health.  Dance is also a weight bearing exercise that improves bone strength. Want to improve your coordination, flexibility, timing, balance, memory and recall? Dance! That's right. Dance. Even if you need an exercise that is low or no impact, there's a dance out there for you. Additionally, dance has social benefits too!  The social aspects of dance build confidence, good manners and friendships.


If you can't make it to the Summer Activities Fair and need more info or want to sign up, give me a call at 862-0118 or email me at dancingdana64@gmail.com.


Let's get Dancing!
Dana 

One of dancings greatest advocates, Dick Clark, dead at 82

If is wasn't for watching Dick Clark's American Bandstand every Saturday of my childhood I don't know what I would have done.

My parents couldn't afford dance lessons for me as a child so I'd find dance shows on TV. Any kind of dance... ballet, musicals and variety shows and American Bandstand helped me learn all the latest dance steps. I'd watch and then grab my sister to see if we could do what we just saw. Dick Clark not only made stars out of bands and solo acts, he had songs created for specific dances and create hit show after hit show. Who hasn't seen a New York Rockin' Eve?

Rest in peace, Dick. You will be remembered well.

Dance enthusiasts enjoy the link below from UAS Today on Dick Clark's life and contributions. http://www.usatoday.com/life/people/obit/story/2012-04-18/dick-clark-dies-at-82/54390716/1

A New Twist on DWTS

Dancing with the Stars tried out a new way of eliminating a dancer on last night's show. The two couples who ranked the lowest after the judges scores were combined with audience votes were put in a "dance-off". I thought it was very fair because they each dancer had to dance the same dance to the same music and neither star had done that dance before.

The judges had the final say instead of the audience vote and Gavin was sent home. I thought is was a good call and I like that the final say is in the judges hands.

What do you think?

Rock 'n' Roll for the Cure Benefit

Just wanted to spread the word about a great LOCAL cause. A Sedona family who lost their 21 year old daughter to cancer just recently is continuing their fund raising efforts in order to help other local families fighting cancer.

Please, come out to Olde Sedona Bar & Grill this Thursday night (tomorrow the 12th) in West Sedona. The fun begins at 6pm with entertainment and raffles and then Sedona's own Oak Creek Band will be performing at 9pm! Come out with your dance shoes handy, a few bucks in your pocket to donate to the cause or join in the raffle and enjoy the night!

The event is FREE of change but please donate what you can. I will have a gift certificate up for grabs for a FREE private lesson or $60 off a larger purchase. Hope to see you there... I'll be there after 9pm!

Stay well... Dance often,

Dana

Got swagger in your dancing?

I always tell my students attitude can cover a multitude of mistakes. If you just take on the character of the dance, it will look a million times better.

Here's a great example.

Check out the attitude and character of this 2 year old who picked up his swagger by watching his parents' ballroom dance class (jive). I love his facial expression, poses and overall confidence! The audience eats it up and you barely notice that he never does a "dance" step. Enjoy! and remember to give your dancing some attitude, character... swagger ; )

Contact me to get your swagger on!

Zumba Dance Benefit for ALS!

This event came to my attention and I felt compelled for personal reasons to help get the word out. ALS is a fatal disease that paralizes the voluntary muscles of the body over a period of years. A person suffering with ALS (also called Lou Gerhig's disease) is fully aware of the deterioration of function in their limbs, throat, torso and eventually their lungs because the disease does NOT harm their brains. This cruel disease has no cure and limited therapy that does little more than prolong life by a few months. 
Just 2 weeks ago I learned a close family member was diagnosed with ALS; therefore, I must help promote this cause. Come to Flagstaff if you can. I know many of you work on Friday's. If you can't come, please spread the word. A full house would be nice : ) If you love Zumba or haven't tried it yet, this might be your chance to do it and also contribute to ALS research. https://www.facebook.com/events/351609038194799/?ref=notif&notif_t=event_invite
Thank you for your time and attention <3

Live Ballroom Dancing Demonstration in West Sedona

At 1:00pm and 3:30pm Saturday, March 10th (that's tomorrow), I will be performing LIVE with my friend, colleague and ballroom dance champion Michael Bickley. Ballroom Dancing with Michael Bickley has moved into a new space along with Sedona Pilates and  Sedona Photon Light and they're throwing a party!


The new location is next door to N.Y. Bagel in West Sedona's Old Marketplace Mall. Michael will be demonstrating several dances with me (Dana De Luz) and one of his students. The whole mall is getting involved to welcome the new businesses and there will be giveaways, samples and more. It's an all afternon event but if you want to see us dancing be there at 1:00pm or 3:30pm or BOTH!


See you there : )