Shall we dance?

The purpose of this blog is to share tips and resources with dancers, especially for those of you who are just starting to dance. The focus of this site is ballroom dancing in New Jersey however I have included other locations in NY & PA and other forms of dance such as Argentine Tango and Zydeco. Please use your own judgment before investing in any service or product listed here.

Please let me know if you find a great place to dance. I'd be happy to add new venues and help the social dance community grow. salsadancer74@yahoo.. Partnerdance.blogspot.com was established in July 2008.

Happy Dancing!



Ballroom Dance Syllabi & Competition Rules


Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing Syllabus
http://www.usistd.org//index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=39&Itemid=51

National Dance Council of America http://www.ndca.org/

Competition Rules from the NDCA http://www.ndca.org/information/rules/rules_pdfs/Rulebook_Master.pdf

Learn to Dance using the Internet


Learning 2 Dance: Commercial web site with some free videos http://www.learning2dance.com/

Ballroom Dancers.com - Great Online Dance Tutorials, examples of music, find partners, history of dances. http://www.ballroomdancers.com/Dances/

Dance, positions, posture, walking & more. http://www.ballroomdancers.com/Learning_Center/

You Tube Search for any type of dancing. Watch performances, competitions, dance lessons, etc. http://www.youtube.com/

Just for fun! - The Evolution of Dance - Watch this comedian dance. :) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMH0bHeiRNg

USA Dance Chapters


USA Dance
"Our mission is to improve the quality and the quantity of ballroom dancing in the United States." One part of their mission is to "...attract beginners to ballroom dancing and to both encourage and assist these dancers in meeting their goals; http://usadance.org/

Local NJ Chapters

Central Jersey Chapter #3059
Membership application can be found here, http://documents.usadance.org/social-dance/

Garden State Chapter 3023
serves the Northern NJ/Gateway region including Hudson, Union, Bergen, Passaic, Essex, Warren, Morris, and Sussex Counties. http://usadancenj.org/

Arts & Theater


Burn the Floor on Broadway
"...a breathtaking blend of Latin and Ballroom dance first conceived as a special performance at Sir Elton John's 50th birthday celebration in 1997. It takes audiences on a journey through the passionate drama of dance. The elegance of the Viennese Waltz, the exuberance of Jive, the intensity of the Paso Doble—audiences experience them all, as well as the Tango, Samba, Mambo, Quickstep and Swing. It's Ballroom dance with a sexy 21st century edge. It will be performed on Broadway for a limited engagement starting July 25, 2009 until January 3." http://www.burnthefloor.com/broadway/index.html

Teatro Si
Music, Dance, Poetry, Art. Lots of Flamenco & Tango. The premier Latin American and Spanish performing arts company of New Jersey.
http://www.teatrosi.com/events.html

Alborada Spanish Dance Theater
New Jersey's Premier Flamenco & Spanish Dance Company
http://www.alboradadance.org/

R&B/Soul Line Dancing


I Am Kenny J Productions (IAKJP)
http://www.iamkennyj.com/

Free dances & resources

Libraries have valuable free DVD's and books to borrow and they also hold free dance lessons & events at various times during the year. Check your library's web site for details. Ocean County Library is my favorite!

Ocean County Library, NJ
http://www.theoceancountylibrary.org/
(On occassion the library will host free dance events. To check for programs, click Events & News, in the Search by Keyword try separate searches for "dancing", or "dance" or "ballroom" or "latin".

Search for your local public library in New Jersey

Public Libraries.com List of Libraries
http://www.publiclibraries.com/newjersey.htm

New Jersey State Library List of Libraries
http://www.njstatelib.org/LDB/Reference/

Rutgers Dances

Rutgers University Ballroom Dance Club and Ballroom Dance Team
(Socials are open to the public)
http://ballroom.rutgers.edu/index.html

Photographers


Digital Photo Lab, by Dennis Belikov
http://www.dplab.com/

DJ's

a Song and a Dance DJ Co” (Manasquan)
732-292-0144

MB Music Services, LLC (Central Jersey)
http://www.mbmusicservices.com/

Bands to Follow


David Cedeno and His Orchestra
http://www.davidcedeno.com/

Gas House Gorillas
http://www.gashousegorillas.org/home.html
"The band's repertoire encompasses a broad range of styles that include Jump Blues, Gypsy Swing, early Rock & Roll, Cajun Music and even the occasional funk groove. Artists as diverse as Wynonie Harris, Groucho Marx, Sam Cooke, Fats Waller, and Albert King all coexist in the Gorillas' musical vernacular. "

Ray Rodriguez & Swing Sabroso
http://www.swingsabroso.com/
"Since it's inception in 2001, Ray Rodriguez y Swing Sabroso have generated a growing number of loyal fans throughout the tri-state area and abroad. The group's distinctive style (Salsa Dura) is the result of the unique and extensive musical back grounds of the band's individual members, who have performed and recorded with some of the most recognizable names in Latin Music before joining together to intergrate Swing Sabroso."

Fitness


Dancing your way to better health
By Miranda Hitti, Reviewed by Michael W. Smith, MD
http://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/features/dancing-your-way-to-better-health

Examples of workouts based on Ballroom dance moves

Dancing with the Stars Cardio Dance
http://www.amazon.com/Dancing-Stars-Cardio-Dance/dp/B000MMMTC8

Core Rhythms
http://www.corerhythms.com/

Dance Movies


The Best Dancing Movies - Listmania - Amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/The-Best-Dance-Movies/lm/6N9K4LFFEOBR

Best Musical/Dance inspired movies - Listmania - Amazon.com
http://home.amazon.com/Best-Musical-Dance-inspired-movies/lm/2KU77BHO5H8BD

Polka


Learn Polka
http://www.polkatoday.com/

Bay Way Polish Club (Elizabeth)
http://www.baywaypolishhome.org/

Dance Blogs


Dancing with the Stars Message Boards
http://abc.go.com/shows/dancing-with-the-stars/discuss?cat=23170

Fred Astaire Dance Studios Blog
http://fred-astaire.blogspot.com/

The Rhythm Lounge: Social Dancing & Dance Culture Around The World
http://rhythmlounge.tv/ older version: http://thehustlelounge.com/

So You Think You Can Dance Blog
http://fox.com/blogs/dance/

We Love to Dance….. Ras-This!
http://www.ras-this.com/

Dance Shoes, Apparel & Accessories

Shoes & Apparel

Back Bay Dancewear (apparel & dance shoes)
http://www.backbaydancewear.com/catalog_c36537.html

Ballo shoes (flat shoes)
http://balloshoes.homestead.com/

Dance America Online
http://www.dance-america.com/store/cart.php

Discount Dance Supply (shoes & clothing)
http://www.discountdance.com/index.php

La Duca Shoes (worn by Broadway & Hollywood stars)
http://www.laducashoes.com/

One Step at a Time (Monmouth County, NJ)
http://www.enzoascari.com/Shoes.php

Werner Kern Dance Shoes (produces a comfort line)
http://www.werner-kern.de/danceshoes.html

World Tone
http://www.worldtonedance.com/

Accessories

Custom Cufflinks
http://store.inthecuffcufflinks.com/

Tango Jewelry (made in Argentina)
http://www.tangojewelry.com/quienes/iquienes.htm

Supplies

Shoe Brush
http://www.thesolesaver.com

Wheelchair Dancing


What is Wheelchair Dance Sport
http://www.paralympic.org/release/Summer_Sports/Wheelchair_Dance_Sport/

Wheelchair Dance Sport USA
http://www.wheelchairdancesportusa.org/

American DanceWheels
http://www.americandancewheels.com/

Zydeco Dancing


Allons Danser events http://www.allonsdanser.org/directions.html

For Larry's Zydeco events join his email list. Events held in Central/South NJ
larryandava@yahoo.com..))

The Northeast USA Edition with Festivals of Arnb.Org's Cajun Zydeco event schedule http://www.arnb.org/Northeast.php

Argentine Tango: NJ, NY, PA


New Jersey

ArgenTangoDancers (Cherry Hill)
http://www.argentangodancers.com/

Firehouse Tango (Maywood) http://www.firehousetango.com/

Red Bank Tango (Red Bank) http://redbanktango.com/

Tango Asado (Brookside) http://www.tangoasado.com/

Tango Pantera (Middletown) http://tangopantera.net/

Two for Tango (Bergen)
http://www.2fortango.org/

New York

Richard Lipkin's Guide to Argentine Tango in New York City
http://www.newyorktango.com/

Philadelphia

Seven Day Guide to Folk, Social and Traditional Dancing in and around Philadelphia (Tango included)
http://www.phillydance.com/

Dance Directories - Find studios & dance events (NJ & NY)


Time 2 Dance: search by state http://www.time2dance.com/directory/EventCalendar.asp

NYC Dance Connection
http://www.nycdc.com/

Search the Asbury Park Press Events calendar for dances. Many
varied events appear on the app.com web site.
http://search.app.com/sp?skin=100&aff=1000

Join email dance mailing lists


SwingDanceNJ on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=49029586838

NJOYDANCING in Metro New York http://njoydancing.home.att.net/

John Lindo's Newsletter http://www.johnlindo.com/

CJF Danceworks http://cjfdanceworks.com/

Zydeco/Join Larry's email list. Events held in South NJ
larryandava@yahoo.com.

Ballrooms, Dance Studios, Organized Dances and Other Venues for Dancing in NJ

All Star Ballroom - (Brielle)
Saturday social dances!
http://www.allstarballroom.com/
 

Alluring Ballroom (East Brunswick)
http://www.alluringballroom.com/home.htm

Arthur Murray (Marlton & Princeton)
http://www.njarthurmurray.com/index.htm

Asbury Park Press Events Calendar.
Check the calendar often for local dances.
http://search.app.com/sp?skin=100&aff=1000

Ballroom Bliss (Waretown)
http://ballroomblissinc.com/

Ballroom Etc. (Sea Girt)
http://www.ballroom-etc.com/

Ballroom Dance Meetup
(check web site for details, location and to join group)
http://ballroomdance.meetup.com/

Battista Dance Studio (Hackensack)
http://www.battistadancestudio.com/

Brian Sexton Academy of Performing Arts (Spring Lake)
http://sextonacademy.com/ (lessons only)

Butch Artes Entertainment (North Jersey area)
http://www.djaabutch.com/

Central Jersey Dance (Princeton)
http://www.centraljerseydance.org/

Continental Dance Club (Bloomfield)
http://www.continentaldanceclub.com/

DanceCraft (Manasquan)
http://www.dancecraftonline.com/
Ballroom Dances every Sat nite-8-11pm including lesson-$15

Daniel's Ballroom (Brick)
http://www.danielsballroom.com/

Fred Astaire (Manasquan) 
http://www.fredastairemanasquan.com/
Join the Meetup group: www.meetup.com/fredastairesocialdanceevents

Fred & Teri's Dance Social
732-905-9508St. Barbara Greek Church
2200 Church RoadToms River, NJ
Every 3rd Sunday of the month from 5-9 pm
* Free Lesson from 5:00 to 5:30 pm
Singles & Couples ~ All Welcome
$8.00 per person

Fred Astaire (Red Bank)
http://www.fredastaireredbank.com/

Highland Park Dance Society (Highland Park)
http://hpds.webhop.org/

Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church (Lakewood, NJ)
1st Sunday of the month
http://www.ilutheran.net/home
Central Ave & Monterey Circle
Lakewood, NJ 08701
All are welcome.
$10 per person.7:00 -10:00 pm,
8:00 pm lesson
For info or questions call Pat & Lance


Indigo Ballroom (Somerville)
http://www.indigoballroom.com/

Jersey Shore Ballroom Dance Club (Somers Point)
http://worknotes.com/nj/jerseyshore/dancing/h1.stm

Just Dance (South Wall Banquet Facility, Wall)
http://www.justdance.us.com/

La Fitte Dance Club (Freehold)
http://lafittedanceclub.angelfire.com/

Long Beach Island Foundation of the arts (LBI, exit 63 GSP)
Ballroom Dance Socials, Call for Info: 609-494-1241
http://www.lbifoundation.org/

Ludos Ballroom (Whitehouse)
http://www.ludosballroom.com/

Middletown Arts Center (Middletown)
For the latest info on lessons & socials visit, http://www.middletownarts.org/events.php
Join the Meetup.com group at www.meetup.com/bigdancesocial

Friday Ballroom & Latin Socials
Friday, 10/09/09, 7:00pm- 10:00pm
Friday, 11/20/09, 7:00pm- 10:00pm
Doors open at 6:45pm, free lesson at 7pm, open dance 7:30 - 10 pm.
$15 per person, USA Dance Member discount available. *see the USA dance page to apply for membership.

Sunday Ballroom Socials
09/27/09, 2:00pm- 5:00pm
10/18/09, 2:00pm- 5:00pm
11/08/09, 2:00pm- 5:00pm
$15 per person, USA Dance Member discount available. *see the USA dance page to apply for membership.

Nash Dancenter (Randolf)
http://nashdancenter.com/

One Step at a Time (Manasquan)
http://www.enzoascari.com/

Rogers DanceSport (Fairfield)
http://www.dancesportcenter.com/

Sandra Fortuna's Universal Dance Center (Collingswood)
http://www.unidancesport.com/

Shall We Dance (Toms River & Middletown)
http://www.shallwedanceusa.com/default.aspx

Shore Ballroom Studio (Point Pleasant)
http://www.shoreballroom.com/

Stardust (Bellmawr)
http://www.stardustbellmawr.com/

Find Dance Partners using the Internet


Ballroom Dancers.com - Great Online Dance Tutorials, examples of music, find partners for free, history of dances. http://www.ballroomdancers.com/Dances/

Dancepartner.com http://www.dancepartner.com/

Restaurants with live music


Europa South - Point Pleasant
http://www.europasouth.com/
Restaurant, bar, dancefloor & live entertainment. Friday and Saturday nights.

The Mill, Sea Girt, NJ - Networking parties. Include lots of dancing and food however this is not formal ballroom dancing, no lessons are provided. Join their email list for coupons. Visit their web site for upcoming events. Arrive early! Age group is 50's - 70's. http://www.themillatslh.com/networking/index.html

Teak Restaurant - Red Bank
64 Monmouth St, Red Bank, NJ 07701, (732) 747-5775
Restaurant, bar, dancefloor. Live Salsa/Merengue usually starts around
10:30 pm, some Fridays. Call restaurant to confirm.

Dancing on TV


Past & Present TV Shows
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Dance_television_shows

America's Ballroom Challenge - PBS
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/ballroomchallenge/competition.html

Dancing with the Stars
http://abc.go.com/primetime/dancingwiththestars/index?pn=index

So You Think You Can Dance
http://www.fox.com/dance/