Alans Dance Room

12/23/2025

09/24/2024

Our third Dancing in the Park at the Elora Bissell Park Pavilion has come to an end. Year one was held on Saturdays, year two on Thursdays and this year on Mondays. We began the season with absolute beginner dance lessons then transitioned to intermediate/advanced beginner and finished with intermediate dance lessons, as our regulars gradually progressed in knowledge and capabilities. Towards the end, we rapidly picked up the pace of learning, so there was minimal instruction and maximum practice time.

Another group of regulars are now competent to comfortably attend professional dance lessons and dances. They can easily join in several different line dances and have fun.

We progressed as follows;
1. Individual Latin (on the spot aka in the track).
2. Individual Line Dances.
3. Partner Latin dance styles.
4. Individual Ballroom (traveling) dance styles.
5. Partner Ballroom dancing.
6. Individual & Partner Swing.
7. Partner dancing Leading and Following techniques.

At the beginning of the year I promised to teach at least four dance styles and four line dances.

Dance styles we learned.... some more than others;
Bachata.
Rumba.
Mambo.
Cha Cha.
Salsa.
International Slow Waltz.
American Foxtrot.
Country Two Step.
East Coast Swing (Jive).
West Coast Swing.

Line Dances
The Electric Slide to Electric Boogie and other country songs.
Momma Maria to Fireball.
Cupid Shuffle.
Mambo Shuffle, S*x on the Beach version.
Wagon Wheel.
Jive to I Feel Like a Woman.
Waltz to last Cheater's Waltz.
Zorba the Greek..... with no instruction.

Great job everyone, now let's see you out on the dance floor.

Alan.

09/18/2024

Here is an insight into what we covered this summer 2024.

09/03/2024

Well now..... wasn't that a great evening of dance at our bonus intermediate/advanced beginner dance lessons. We practiced everything I have taught this summer both as individuals and partner dancing with your instructor. Once again, we ended the evening with Zorba the Greek without any instruction.

Thank you to everyone who has stuck with it, I sincerely hope this experience helps to open up your world; next week, next month or years from now. Who knows how it will impact you at some level.... maybe; you recognize and smile at a song on the radio, you join in a line dance at a gathering/party/wedding/dance, you are asked to dance, you take formal dance lessons, you go on to teach/help others, you join the social dance world and/or you meet new friends. All are possible after learning some basic dance moves.

Here is what we covered over 2.5 hours.
Bachata
Rumba
Cha Cha
Salsa
Swing
Waltz

Cupid Shuffle
Electric Slide
Fireball
Wagon Wheel
Mumbo Shuffle aka S*x on the Beach
Last Cheaters Waltz
Zorba the Greek

Cheers, Alan.

08/27/2024

Last night was another evening of fun filled dance lessons, as we come to the end of the season. This group is now at the point I can provide a brief explanation and they very quickly pick it up...... not perfectly and we all stumble but a few more practices and they will have it.

There is method to my madness.... it's called progression.
Most of my lessons are for individuals, so we learn Latin dances for timing and moves with quick steps and turns that provide the footwork found in many line dances. Walk before you run.

A few of my dancers are learning Waltz and asked me to teach a Waltz line dance to which I replied "What?..... Err OK!..... let me think a bit", but we go through it.... see the video. Good job guys.

Then someone asked me to teach Zorba the Greek line dance, something I have never taught before. Rather than provide instruction, I just put on the song (which starts very slow) and danced it...... and they followed along.

This is what we were able to cover;
1. Mambo Shuffle based line dance to S*x on the Beach, quick review and practice.
2. Jive based line dance to Man I Feel Like a Woman, practice.
3. Bachata quick review and practice (for someone new to the group).
4. Electric Slide line dance, quick review and practice to the original Electric Boogie (slow) and quicker country songs (for someone new to the group).
5. Waltz box review. Emphasis on shifting weight, especially when the feet come together.... that moment of beginner confusion and panic.
6. Waltz line dance to Last Cheaters Waltz, lesson and practice.
7. Zorba the Greek line dance without ANY instruction.
8. Waltz one on one, Spin Turn and Whisk/Chasse with feedback,

08/13/2024

Thank you to my intermediate/advanced beginner group who showed up Monday evening, including some new people with some dance experience who were able to keep up and did really well.

This is what we were able to cover;
1. Waltz one on one, Spin Turn and new Whisk/Chasse.
2. Basic Cha Cha Ballroom.
3. Cha Cha New Yorks, Back Break and Turns.
4. Cha Cha Club.
5. Cha Cha Club 360 turns.
6. Cha Cha 180 turns and Chase.
7. Basic Mambo.
8. Multiple Lock Steps.
9. Box Steps (basic and with a 90 degree turn).
10. Mambo Shuffle Line Dance to S*x on the Beach.
11. Convert Cha Cha back break into the start of basic Jive.
12. Jive Line Dance to Man I Feel Like a Woman.
13. Introduction and partner dance West Coast Swing.
14. West Coast Swing one on one advice.

Alan.