Our 2022 Winter Show had two Santas and a Grinch! The guys were cool, the ladies were hot, and the dancing was awesome. Who could ask for more?
So much Christmasy bodaciousness!
When “Santa Claus Wants Some Loving”, he goes all out to woo Mrs. Claus. Based on her attire, it looked like Mrs. Claus wanted some loving too, so it was no surprise that Kayla and Brian ended up under the mistletoe at the end of their saucy West Coast swing.
Hammerlock Time
Surprise Tuck
Heel-Toe Swivels
Santa Claus Wooing with a West Coast Swing
“We Wanna See Santa Do the Mambo” is a campy old song that’s loads of fun. Lulu and Brandon went all in (including full Santa and Mrs. Claus costumes) and their fresh and flirty energy was infectious. An exciting full body drop at the end really put it over the top.
The Hop Makes the Move
Take That Santa!
Crossover Breaks
Santa & Mrs. Claus Do the Mambo
When it comes to Christmas, Colleen is all sleigh bells and fairy dust, while John is decidedly bah humbug. That made “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch the perfect choice for them to show off their foxtrot skills. I’m not sure if Colleen was Max or Cindy Lou Who, but she handled the Grinch’s shenanigans well.
Kick Those Long Legs!
Flip Flop
A Grinchy Oblique Line
A Grinchy Foxtrot
And of course, as always, we really appreciate the friends, family, and fellow dancers who turned out to cheer everyone on and do some dancing of their own.
The Friends and Family Cheering Section
And Plenty of General Dancing
We’d love to have you join in the fun, so be sure to check our New & Events page regularly. Better yet, sign up for our newsletter, What’s Happening At Cat’s Ballroom, and get information about special events and classes sent right to your inbox.
And remember, your first lesson with us is free, so why not try one today?
Cat Tracks is an ongoing (and sporadic) series that features the students of Cat’s Ballroom and Memphis art installations. For Cat Tracks No. 3 we headed to the Memphis Sign on Mud Island. The sign was created for the Memphis River Parks Partnership by Tylur French (owner of Youngblood Studio), and the huge letters are clearly visible to anyone coming across the I-40 bridge into Memphis.
The Cat Tracks Crew
I love my students for a lot of reasons, one of which is that they’re usually up for anything. It came as no surprise then, that when I asked them to meet on Mud Island so we could film them dancing in front of the big Memphis sign, quite a few of them showed up ready to rock (or rumba, as the case may be). I also asked them to wear bright colors, which interestingly resulted in all the ladies wearing pink, and all the men ignoring me and opting for earth tones.
Scott & Nancy
Colleen & John
Brian & Kayla
Brandon & Kareem
Jesse & Cat
Generally, the tourists seemed unfazed by us as we were warming up and waiting for late arrivals, but once we spread out and really got going, everyone stayed clear of us. We weren’t there long though, so hopefully we didn’t ruin anyone’s vacation photo op.
One of our regulars was sick that day (We missed you Lulu!), but her partner brought a friend instead, and together with Jesse, they formed a slightly haphazard salsa line. We also rotated all the partners so that every leader got to dance with every follower at least once. Fun!
Tourists don’t care!
A quick salsa lesson for the guys.
The song we used, Beautiful Day by Jonathan Roy, was pretty open to interpretation. In the videos you’ll see rumba, push-pull swing, west coast swing, samba, Argentine tango (ridiculously difficult on grass), and salsa. You’ll also see me running in and out of frame because I forgot I could use the remote.
Cat Tracks No. 3 | Memphis Sign
(The good, the bad, and the ugly!)
Scott & Nancy
John & Colleen
Brian & Kayla
They’re a hot mess, but they’re cute!
Once we wrapped on the filming and pictures, we headed on over to the River Terrace Inn for and “after party”. Indulging in cocktails, nibbles, a glorious sunset, and a lot of good conversation was the perfect way to end Cat Tracks No. 3 (Memphis sign edition), and everyone seemed to have a great time.
My Little Ducklings
The View Didn’t Disappoint
So Relaxing
Accidental Twinsies
We’d love to have you join in the fun, so be sure to check our New & Events page regularly. Better yet, sign up for our newsletter, What’s Happening At Cat’s Ballroom, and get information about special events and classes sent right to your inbox.
And remember, your first lesson with us is free, so why not try one today?
The first thing a lot of people will tell you about caring for your dance shoes is, never wear them anywhere other than a clean dance floor. Frankly, I’m usually not that precious about my shoes, and have worn them in some pretty gnarly places. You may, however, want to dedicate a pair for outdoor events and sticky nightclub floors, and reserve the others for more pristine environments.
Caring for your dance shoes properly will help you get the most out of them.
Maintenance
Regardless of the surfaces you frequent, you will occasionally need to refresh the sued on the soles. Giving them a few swipes with a stiff wire brush is usually enough to rough up the surface and restore traction. If you’ve treated your shoes especially egregiously (think beer-soaked honky-tonk floor), you can take them to a shoe repair shop and have them run over a grindstone, and they’ll look like new. That will wear out the soles quicker though, so use it only if they’re irredeemably matted and slick. And when the soles do wear out completely, that same shop can replace or recover them to give you a few more miles.
Heel tips also experience a lot of wear and tear and may wear out long before the rest of the shoe. Fortunately, it is relatively inexpensive to have them replaced, and even cheaper if you learn to do it yourself. Alternately, if you don’t mind the look of them, you can use heel caps to protect the tips. Either way, if you plan to wear a long dress or flowing pants, you should use an emery board to smooth any sharp burrs on the edges of the heel prior to dancing in order to avoid getting your heel caught in the fabric.
Wire Brush | Heel Tips | Heel Caps
Storage
Dance shoes usually come with a simple cloth drawstring bag. I’ve always found that to be sufficient, but there are a couple of extras you might want, especially if you’ve invested in high-end shoes. Adjustable shoe trees fit inside the shoes and help them maintain their shape. They come in a variety of materials, but ones made of cedar also absorb odor and repel pests. Shoe boxes offer more protection than cloth sacks, and clear stackable versions might be worthwhile if you have several pairs and want to be able to spot them easily. Large empty lettuce boxes work well too if you want to save money and aren’t too fastidious about appearances.
Shoe Bag | Shoe Trees | Shoe Boxes
Cleaning
A simple shoe-shine kit will contain almost everything you need to keep your shoes looking good. You can periodically touch up any scratches on leather shoes with shoe polish, and when necessary, clean them with a soft cloth and saddle soap. Suede shoes will need to be buffed with a soft brush regularly to remove dirt and maintain the nap. Satin shoes are very hard to keep clean. Your best bet is probably a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser, which also works for spot cleaning leather and vegan leather.
Basic Shoe Shine Kit | Magic Eraser
Ultimately caring for your dance shoes is not a big deal, and you shouldn’t let it stress you out. Do the best you can and don’t worry about the inevitable scuffs they’ll acquire. Shoes that are starting to look a little seedy are a sign that you’re dancing a lot, and that’s a good thing!
Caring for your dance shoes won’t make them last forever, and that’s okay. 😉
Update
One of our students recently shared a method for cleaning satin shoes that she found on the Bella Belle website, and based on her before and after photo, I’d say it’s a winner.
So you’re ready to buy ballroom dance shoes, but you’re not sure where to start? Relax, I’m going to walk you through it.
Characteristics of Ballroom Dance Shoes
There are two main features that distinguish ballroom dance shoes from regular footwear. The first is a steel shank for maximum support and durability, and the second is a suede sole. Suede has the perfect amount of grip. Too much grip (think tennis shoes) and your foot won’t turn freely. Too little grip and you’ll slip and slide. Either can result in injury, so if you need to justify the cost of dance shoes, just think of them as safety equipment.
Beyond the basics, shoes are categorized by the type of dancing they’re intended for. For men the choices are pretty straightforward. A classic black 5-holed oxford, while designed for standard/smooth dancing, is a good choice for all around use. They usually come in leather or patent leather, but otherwise there isn’t much variation. If you plan to do mainly Latin/rhythm dancing (or if you want to add a bit of height), you’ll want a Latin shoe which will have a softer, less structured design and a Cuban heel. Smooth leather or suede is fine, but as with the oxford, they should be black.
Women’s shoes are categorized similarly. Where they differ is in the wide variety of styles, colors, and embellishments available. A classic pump, in either leather or satin, is the norm for standard/smooth dancing. Some come with a strap across the instep (which I highly recommend) to decrease the chance of you stepping out them. Shoes for Latin/rhythm dancing are strappier and often open-toed. They are probably the best choice for general dancing. For your first pair you can’t go wrong with a nude or tan color which matches everything, blends with the floor, and elongates your leg line. Sadly, it is still difficult to find shoes that match darker skin tones, so if you can’t find a good match, you may want to have them dyed. Your second pair will probably be black, followed closely by red, silver, leopard, rhinestone… You’ll see.
A third category, for both men and women, is practice shoes. Basically they’re a less stylish (but comfier) all-purpose shoe that you may appreciate if you dance a lot.
Materials
Leather is a good choice for both men’s and women’s shoes. It’s classic, durable, and will mold to your foot somewhat over time. It’s also the easiest to keep clean.
Patent leather may look snazzy, but it sticks to itself, so if you’re brushing your feet as you should be, you can easily trip yourself up. It also scuffs up pretty easily and doesn’t have much give.
Suede has a nice look and feel. Because it’s softer than leather it molds nicely to the foot, but that also means it’s a little harder to maintain.
Satin doesn’t have much give and it’s hard to keep clean. It does however come in an amazing array of colors and can even be dyed to match your attire.
Cost
Don’t waste your money on a cheap pair of dance shoes. They won’t be comfortable, and they won’t hold up. Expect to pay from $100 – $200 for a decent pair from a reputable brand. Oh, and those higher end brands usually come with double padding – sigh.
Fit
Sizes will vary some from brand to brand, so you may have to experiment a bit, but generally you’ll wear your usual size. One exception is with ladies open-toed styles where the toe should come all the way to the front edge (or even slightly beyond), in which case you might need a half size smaller. The shoe should feel snug and supportive. Don’t even think about trying to live with a heel that slips or a toe that binds. You’ll be putting a lot of miles on these bad boys, so they better be comfy. If in doubt, bring them to your next lesson and let your instructor check the fit.
Unfortunately, most dance shoes only come in a medium width. This is particularly problematic for the guys since they have fewer style options. For ladies with a narrow or wide foot, styles that lace or have adjustable buckles may be a good solution. Be careful of very strappy styles however, as they can dig in or allow toes to escape in weird ways. Styles with mesh panels can offer a similar look while still providing good support.
Finally, many companies can accommodate a certain degree of customization, such as two different sizes or different heel heights, but it will cost extra and the sale is final.
Heels & Closures
Men’s heel heights are usually 1 inch for standard/smooth and 1 ½ inches for Latin/rhythm. For ladies the default is a slender 2 ½ inch heel, but fortunately these days there are a lot of other options. Heights from ¾ – 4 inches are usually available, as are varying degrees of flare (how wide it becomes at the bottom) and much chunkier Cuban heels.
Men’s shoes generally just lace up, but because ladies shoes have a strap (or many straps) that can be adjusted, the types of attachments are also more varied. As mentioned before, laces can be helpful in getting a good fit, but they do run the risk of coming untied. Buckles are the most secure, but a faux-buckle clasp is pretty good too, and it’s quicker to take on and off. My favorite is snaps, but they’re not as widely available.
Where to Buy Ballroom Dance Shoes
Unless you live in a large city with a lot of dance studios (Hello NY and LA), you’re probably going to have to order online. Make sure to check return policies before you order, and when you try them on, stand on a towel to keep the suede clean. And remember, custom orders cannot be returned.
Shoe (and dress) vendors also set up booths at large competitions, so if you hear of one coming to your area, it may be worth checking out. I got one of my favorite pairs of all time on clearance at an event.
Alternatives to Buying Ballroom Dance Shoes
If you’re not ready to invest in a dedicated pair of ballroom dance shoes, it’s perfectly fine to dance in shoes you already own. A few simple modifications might be helpful though. If they won’t stay on securely, you can buy shoe bands to put around your instep. They’re basically wide rubber bands that come in colors (black, nude, clear, etc.) to match your shoes. Some are even adjustable. Another option to prevent slippage is double sided shoe tape. I haven’t tried it, so I can’t attest to its comfort or efficacy, but it’s worth a try. And finally, you can buy sued pads with adhesive backs, stick them to the bottoms of your shoes, and voila, your favorite kicks now have a dancing sole.
Time To Shop!
Here are a few links to get you started. I’ve purchased shoes from most (but not all) of these companies and been happy with them.
Fun final note – In the eighties male competitors often dyed their outfits to match their partners, so somewhere in Jesse’s stash of memorabilia is a pair of purple satin Cuban-heeled dance shoes.
With the Cat Tracks series we want to celebrate three things: 1) Memphis places and spaces, 2) our amazing students, and 3) the abundant variety of ballroom dance styles.
Pocket Garden
Tucked in an alley in Overton Square is a magical little world of murals, sculptures, and gardens. John is a car guy, so a mural of a vintage vehicle seemed like the perfect place to leave some Cat Tracks.
Our Hoopty Hoop
Colleen started dancing in college, and now John is happily along for the ride. They are smart, kind, and lovely to work with. At the time of this video, they had been dancing with us for about a year. West coast swing is just one of many dances they enjoy, which goes to show what you can accomplish with a little hard work and practice.
West coast swing is a laid back and playful dance that’s perfect for blues and funk. Danced in a “slot” (like an old mechanical bank), it was supposedly developed in Hollywood in the early days of film.
Showing out in Overton Square
Experienced dancers will notice that this demonstration doesn’t contain any whips (a staple of WCS). That’s because they learned this dance over Zoom during lock-down! Whips are tricky to teach by video, but since we’ve resumed in-person lessons, we’ve definitely added them to their repertoire.
West coast swing (sans whips)
Just in case you’ve never seen an antique mechanical bank
In Parts I and II of the Benefits of Dancing, I discussed the rational and emotional factors that induce people to choose dancing as a hobby. So why a third post with more reasons to dance? Because there are a few prospects that don’t fit squarely in either camp.
Dancing ticks many of the boxes we may have for a rewarding hobby. It’s social, provides both mental and physical exercise, and offers a creative outlet. How’s that for well-rounded self-improvement?
Avoiding embarrassment on the dance floor is both emotional and practical. No one wants to be left out or to admit that they’re a lousy dancer, but neither do you want to dance with someone and step all over their feet. Learning to dance properly is beneficial for both you, and your potential partners.
If you want to improve your conversational abilities, dancing is perfect. When you’re literally face-to-face with someone, it’s almost impossible not to speak to them. Since a song is only a few minutes long though, there’s very little danger of running out of things to say. It makes for good practice.
Have you every wanted to have a private conversation with someone who’s always surrounded by admirers? Or get the ear of someone who has access and influence? Not to sound Machiavellian, but dancing can work as an excellent networking tool. Think of the span of a dance kind of like an elevator pitch, but more fun.
Dancing is also unparalleled for developing leadership and teamwork skills. You simply cannot accomplish anything on the dance floor unless you cooperate. If you’re in the roll of the leader you must be attuned to your partner and everyone around you. You’ll also become better at planning, and simultaneously more decisive and more adaptable. As a follower you’ll develop patience, mental flexibility, and an ability to pick up subtle cues.
And the final reason is one you might not appreciate right away. Once you’ve learned to dance yourself, you can help ease other peoples’ anxiety about dancing. Ask someone standing on the sidelines to dance or help someone who’s struggling, and you’ll make their day.
So now that you know about all the benefits that dancing has to offer, what are you waiting for?
I love the Martha Graham quote, “Great dancers are not great because of their technique, they are great because of their passion.” In the first part of this series, I discussed the rational reasons for pursuing dance as a hobby. Some or all of them might apply to you, but emotion is what really turns an interest into a passion. Dancing feeds our deepest desires, and that’s why you really dance.
Dancing is sexy!
Deep down we all want to be special. Becoming a good dancer will give you a sense of creativity and achievement every time you step on the floor. When you dance, you’ll feel a glow from showing off a skill that most others don’t have.
Who do you picture as the epitome of grace? A dancer, of course. As you grow in skill, you’ll develop beautiful posture and carriage, and acquire more grace and poise. Your friends might not be able to put their fingers on it, but they will sense that you are radiating ease.
If you know how to dance, you’ll simply have more fun. No more sitting on the sidelines secretly wishing you could join in. Instead, other will be watching you with envy.
She must be a dancer!
Dancers are impressive. They’re fun, they’re fit, and they ooze sex appeal. If you’re trying to impress someone (or a whole lot of people), then learning to dance is a great place to start.
Being a good dancer will increase your social ease and self-confidence, which in turn will increase your popularity. Who wouldn’t want to be invited to more parties or be the person others count on to bring the fun?
There is tremendous camaraderie in the dance world. As you learn and practice with other students, you’ll form lasting friendships with people who share your joy in movement. Not only that, but being able to dance is almost like a secret handshake. You’ll be welcomed warmly by other dancers anywhere in the world you may go, because they’ll all know why you really dance.
I once worked with an instructor who also waited tables at a large Italian restaurant, and he told me something interesting about how the other guys on the staff reacted to his dancing. When they were all together, they would razz him unmercifully. But when it was one-on-one, they were curious and full of questions. If you take up dancing as a hobby, your friends will probably have questions too, so take some time to think about why you dance.
There are many reasons people choose to pursue a particular hobby (including dancing), and most of them fall into two categories: the rational and the emotional. In this post I’m going to focus on the rational. These are the clear (and socially acceptable) benefits that you can tell your friends and colleagues without feeling silly.
Dancing is great for relaxation and stress relief. We teach a lot of people with high stress jobs, and I believe it’s at least partly because of this. In addition to the physical component that burns off excess stress hormones, the mental focus needed to learn new steps pretty much blots out any nagging thoughts. Most people leave a lesson feeling refreshed and energized.
Dancing is good exercise. You can do it anywhere you have some space, you don’t need any special equipment, and it’s more fun than running on a treadmill. The number of calories burned and toning effects vary not only by the type of dance, but by how you dance. A gentle social rumba might be equivalent to a stroll around the block, while a full-on cha cha is more like running sprints. In other words, dance is adaptable to your goals and current fitness level.
Sometimes learning to dance is important to meet social obligations. My partner tells a story of a young army officer he once knew that always made it a point to dance with the wives of his superiors at military balls. The husbands were so grateful (or so the story goes) that he became a favorite among them and quickly rose through the ranks. True or not, the premise holds. If you regularly attend functions where there is dancing, you’ll be much more effective if you can participate.
Related to developing general social competence is preparing for a specific event. There are many possibilities, from teens learning to waltz for a cotillion, to boomers wanting to do the hustle at a 70’s-themed class reunion, to retirees going on a cruise. The biggie, of course, is weddings. First dance, father-daughter, mother-son – weddings are full of spotlight moments on the dance floor. And many parents will learn to dance together for the first time because of the momentousness of the occasion.
This is far from an exhaustive list, and every person will have their own set of rational reasons for pursuing this crazy hobby. So, what are you going to tell your friends about why you dance?
High school sweethearts who met in marching band – it doesn’t get any cuter than that. Add in Haley’s near obsession with Christina Aguillera (read dramatic song choice), and I knew Haley and Nathan’s first dance would be a lot of fun to choreograph.
Haley’s gown was beautiful and suited her perfectly. She did assume it would be bustled though, and only found out the day before that it wouldn’t be, but I think the improvised ribbon bracelet looked lovely as they danced.
As you can see from these clips, we were starting to get some pretty smooth dancing. And then Covid!
Unfortunately, we weren’t able to meet for the last several months before the wedding, but to their credit, these two did great. They even brought Haley’s dad to tears.
Thanks to the dream team for Haley & Nathan’s First Dance!
Quick – can you spot 3 things this couple is doing wrong? I can.
Don’t get me wrong, I love YouTube. It’s full of fun stuff, and I’ve used it to learn many things, from knitting to building a fence. But, there are some things it’s not good for, and learning to dance well with a partner is one of them.
Before I go any further, let me first explain what I mean by dancing well. Some people believe that being a good dancer means knowing a lot of steps. I beg to differ. The core of good partner dancing is being able to lead or follow effectively. Without those skills, you’re pretty much limited to dancing with people who have memorized the same patterns you have. Even then it might be rocky. Once you’ve mastered lead or follow however, you can dance with anyone in the world who has been properly trained. Anyone. Which would you prefer?
So now back to learning to dance using YouTube. We see a lot of people that have tried it and are so frustrated that they’re about to give up on dancing altogether. Why? Because videos don’t give you any feedback. It’s very difficult to evaluate your own movement patterns. That’s why athletes have coaches.
Try this. Put your arms around your partner and walk across the room. Remember, one of you is going backwards. Was it smooth and easy or did you step all over each other? Do you think it will be easier when you add in rhythm and changes of direction? Oh, you don’t have a partner? Do you plan to break out your new “skills” with a stranger in a crowded club? Hmmm. Let me know how it goes.
Leading and following both require a combination of subtle skills that must be mastered to be effective. They’re not difficult, but they’re not entirely intuitive either. If you’re learning with a partner and something isn’t working, you won’t know which one of you isn’t doing their part correctly. And guess what? It’s probably both of you. It’s even worse if you’re learning on your own, because you won’t even know if your move is working or not.
The truth is there are several things that almost every beginner does incorrectly at first, and an even greater number of individual quirks that are possible. Most videos don’t (or can’t) address all of them. That’s why learning to dance well requires the keen eye of a good instructor who can tell you what you’re doing right, what you’re doing wrong, and how to fix the problems. And that is something Professor YouTube will never be able to do.
Better.
One final thought. Once you’ve become a genuinely good dancer, if you want to go scouring YouTube for new moves, have at it. You have my blessing. 😉
