Sample tango, salsa and more at Social Dance Weekend Immersion Bootcamp

Ema Sasic, Palm Springs Desert Sun
·4 min read

Ever wanted to pick up dancing as a hobby but weren't sure exactly which style would be best for you? An upcoming dance immersion weekend will let residents move, groove and find their footing.

The Social Dance Weekend Immersion Bootcamp will include 10 different classes on Saturday and Sunday led by four instructors. The classes will take place from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at Beyond the Beat Dance Studio, located at ​41-990 Cook St., Suite 401, in Palm Desert.

Instructor Sara Rose said the dance weekend is a fun and accessible way for people to sample a variety of styles without having to commit to a monthlong series, and get some exercise in, no matter their skill level.

What dance styles are offered?

Styles from around the world will be showcased at the Social Dance Weekend Immersion Bootcamp.

Four Argentine tango classes will be offered Saturday and Sunday. This social dance originated at the end of the 19th century in the suburbs of Buenos Aires. It's often referred to as "a secret danced between two people" because it relies heavily on intuition and connection between partners. American tango will also be offered on Sunday, which features sharp movements and head snaps.

Bachata will be showcased on Saturday, which is a dance that originated in the Dominican Republic and is characterized by smooth and fluid movements. Also offered on Saturday is salsa rueda, from Cuba, in which partnered salsa patterns are performed in a circle with a caller.

For those who are looking to ease their way into dance, single time swing is offered as the "beginner's easiest dance."

The full schedule of events includes:

Saturday

  • 3:30 p.m.: Argentine Tango, part 1

  • 4:30 p.m.: Bachata Flow: Social Bachata (all levels)

  • 5:30 p.m.: Argentine Tango, part 2

  • 6:30 p.m.: Salsa, rueda de casino style (all levels)

Sunday

  • 10 a.m.: Beginning Latin and Ballroom

  • 11 a.m.: Argentine Tango, part 3

  • Noon: Beginning American Tango

  • 1 p.m.: Nightclub Two-Step (all levels)

  • 2 p.m.: Argentine Tango, part 4

  • 3 p.m.: Single Time Swing

Who can attend?

There's no age range or limit for this boot camp. Rose said she especially hopes older residents take advantage of it so they can get their bodies, minds and spirits moving.

"I love helping older bodies remember that they can move. ... As people get older, they tend to become scared of falling, and when they become scared of falling, they get tense, and they aren't able to react with balance to movement," she said.

"What partner dance does is you've got another person there that has your back, and it just starts to get people loosened up and remind them that they can move sideways and backwards, and I think it's probably the best thing you can do for balance, proprioception and joint mobility that isn't solely focused on exercise or rehab," Rose continued.

She's seen the benefits of dance with elders firsthand. Once when she was out at 3 a.m. in Argentina, she noticed a 93-year-old woman "dancing her heart out" with people of different ages and backgrounds. Tango, she said, is a dance people can do "very comfortably" at all ages.

Studies suggest that any type of dance can significantly improve muscular strength and endurance, balance and other aspects of functional fitness in older adults. There are even cognitive and social benefits that come with the activity as well.

How much does it cost?

The dance immersion weekend costs $15 per class, or $100 for all 10 hours.

What to bring?

It's recommended that dancers wear comfortable clothes and leather-soled shoes, if possible. They should also bring water and some snacks to keep their energy up throughout the day.

Who are the instructors?

The instructors during the dance boot camp are:

  • Teresa Shiry, a Latin and ballroom dancer who has won a national title and currently teaches classes and private lessons in the Coachella Valley

  • Curtis Collins, who was in Disney's "Enchanted," has coached actors in the film "Shall We Dance?" and performs on Crystal Cruises.

  • Beverly Durand, who was featured in the original Broadway cast of "Swing!" and the first run of "Forever Tango" and its subsequent world tour, and performs for Crystal Cruises.

  • Rose, who previously had a long ballroom career and is dedicated to Argentine tango

How to join

Those who are interested in attending can pre-register at www.tangoenvie.com/palmspringstango.html

For more information, email Rose at tango@tangoenvie.com or call 206-834-5276.

Ema Sasic covers entertainment and health in the Coachella Valley. Reach her at ema.sasic@desertsun.com or on Twitter @ema_sasic.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Sample tango, salsa, more at Social Dance Weekend Immersion Bootcamp