We have a 3-tier system of learning: private lessons, group lessons, and private parties.

In the private lessons you will receive most of the dance instruction in the dances that you are interested in learning. During the group classes you will get to practice steps with a variety of partners in a learning situation. At our member parties you will get to practice the dances that you have been learning in a friendly environment.

Every fourth Saturday of each month, we host a public dance. Thirty minutes before the dance starts, we offer a group class. These public dances are a great opportunity to get dressed up, put on your dancing shoes, and enjoy dancing the night away.

Festival of Dance is a fun place to learn to dance, meet great people and just have fun!

We have instructors for all dancing levels-ranging from beginners to advanced.

Call us for your FREE sample lesson today!
407-737-6772

BALLROOM DANCE STYLES:

FOXTROT- Invented by Harry Fox of the Ziegfeld Follies around 1913, the fox-trot is the most versatile and popular American dance. It is danced in four-four time, with the emphasis on the first and third steps. The foxtrot usually follows the line of dance, but a box step can also be used. The cadence can be “slow, slow, quick, quick.

WALTZ- The waltz evolved from early-17th century European dances. It is characterized by smooth, lifting, rise and fall movements and graceful twirls and turns. The waltz is danced in three-four time, usually in a large circle called “the line of dance” around the floor. The rhythm of the steps is “slow, quick, quick, slow ” with the accent on the first step.

QUICKSTEP- The quickstep is a fast and dynamic dance that developed in the 1920’s from a combination of the Foxtrot and the Charleston. It follows a 2/4 or 4/4 time beat. This style of dance has many advanced patterns which include hops, runs, and quicksteps.

TANGO- Tango is a slow, smooth, seductive, and powerful dance. It has long been a way of life in Argentina. It is danced with partners low to the floor and close to each other. The tango is characterized by promenade steps, corte’ dips, and twirls done across the floor and in the line of dance. The rhythm is “slow, slow, quick-quick-slow”

VIENNESE WALTZ- It is the oldest of all ballroom dances. The Viennese waltz emerged in the second part of the 18th century. It is characterized by graceful turns across the floor.

CHA-CHA- The cha-cha is of Cuban origin. It can be done slowly and smoothly, or spiritedly, with lively hip action. Dancers stay within a small area on the dance floor, and the step cadence is “slow, slow, quick-quick-quick. Just think, “step, step, cha, cha, cha”.

RUMBA- The rumba is a slow Latin dance based on Cuban Rumba and Son. Because of the interaction, emotion and soft rhythm between the partners, rumba is referred to as the “Dance of Love”.

SAMBA- It is a rhythmical dance of Brazilian origin. The samba is danced in 2/4 or 4/4 time. The basic movements are counted 1-a-2, and are danced with a slight downward bouncing action. This action is created through the bending and strengthening of the knees.

PASO DOBLE- Paso Doble is a lively Spanish style of dance based on music played at bullfights. The leader of the dance plays the part of the matador. The follower generally plays the part of the matador’s cape, but can also represent the bull or a flamenco dancer in some figures. The basic step is march-like.

BOLERO- Bolero is a 3/4 dance that originated in Spain in the late 18th century. It combines the patterns of Rumba with the rise and fall technique and character of the Waltz and Foxtrot. The music is 4/4 time and is the slowest rhythm of the Latin ballroom dances.

MAMBO- Mambo is a Cuban musical form and dance style. It originated in the late 1930’s in Cuba a combination of the Danza, a Spanish ballroom dance, and African folk dances. The basic movement concentrates on hip action.

SWING- A peppy all American dance that started in the 1920’s, swing involves lots of turning and twisting mostly by the women. It is also called the Lindy or Jitterbug. Swing is usually danced within a small area to lively big band or rock “n” roll music. The rhythm for single time swing is “slow, slow, quick, quick. The basic steps for triple time are “triple step, triple step, rock step.”

ARGENTINE TANGO- It originated in Argentina. Argentine tango is danced counterclockwise along the line of dance.

SALSA- Salsa is a partner dance done to salsa music. It is a fusion of African, Cuban and other Latin American rhythms. Salsa is danced on music with a recurring 8-beat pattern. Salsa patterns typically use 3 steps during each four beats, one beat being skipped. However, this skipped beat is marked by a tap, kick, flick etc… Salsa is a spot dance; the couple occupies a fixed area on the floor.

MERENGUE- It is a lively Latin dance that comes from the Dominican Republic. Merengue incorporates a variety of spins, turns, and fast hip motion with very small steps.

BACHATA- Bachata is a form of dance and music that originated in the Dominican Republic. It grew out of the bolero and it has been influenced by the meringue. Bachata is in 4/4 rhythm.

HUSTLE- It is a nightclub partner dance that originated in Hispanic communities in New York City and Florida in the 1970’s. It is usually danced in 3/4 time, but may also be danced in 2/4.

WEST COAST SWING- It is a partner dance derived from the lindy hop. It is one of the most difficult and one of the most improvisational.

TWO-STEP- It is danced with two quick steps and two slow steps. The dance is best performed with feet gliding just above the floor.

POLKA- Polka originated in the middle of the 19th century in Europe. It is a 2/4 beat dance popular in many countries.