Get into dance

Argentine tango is not to be confused with the ballroom version of tango; it is a social dance with no competitions and no medals.

The dance originated in Buenos Aires in the early twentieth century and has enjoyed a worldwide revival since the late 1980s.

There are now thriving tango communities in just about every city in the world, and if you know the music, you know the language! The dance can be simple or complex, just as long as the couple are enjoying the movements and the music.

• Day: Tuesdays
• Dates: Ongoing
• Time: 7.30–8.30pm
• Venue: St Paul’s Centre, Hills Road
• Cost: £5 (£4 concessions) — try your first session for free
• Dance partner needed? No
• Who are the sessions aimed at? Everyone! The dance is popular with young and old alike and is fairly unique in that you will see couples from different generations dancing with each other
• What to wear and bring with you: Bring or wear secure-fitting slippery soled shoes (leather is best)
• Booking: Not required
• Booking and further information: cambridgetango.com

Led by the world dance company, you will learn the most popular dances: waltz, Viennese waltz, foxtrot, quickstep, tango, cha cha cha, rumba, samba and jive.

• Days: Thursdays and Sundays
• Time: 7–8.30pm
• Venue: Klub Polonia, 231 Chesterton Road, Cambridge, CB4 1AS
• Cost: £54 for the course or £6 a session
• Dance partner needed? No
• Who are the sessions aimed at? Adults, beginners welcome
• Booking: World Dance office: 07724 495006 or email worldance@ymail.com

Whether you’re wanting to learn sequence dancing steps for the first time or refresh yourself on some of the dances these sessions will be perfect for you. Led by Clive, an experienced teacher, these sessions will take you through the different dance steps in a fun and relaxed atmosphere.

Sequence dancing is a combination of ballroom and Latin-American dances, such as the waltz, quickstep, tango, foxtrot, cha cha cha and rumba, arranged in a repeatable group or sequence.

This type of dancing also includes old-time dances such as old-time waltz, two-step, blues, saunter, and swing.

You will learn the steps of the above dances at these sessions to give you the confidence to move around the dance floor.

• Day: Fridays
• Dates: 13th January – 17th February (6 weeks)
• Time: 2.00pm – 3.00pm
• Venue: Orchard Park Community Centre, Orchard Park, Cambridge, CB4 2EZ
• Cost: £25 for the course or £5 a session
• Dance partner needed? No
• Who are the sessions aimed at? Anyone over the age of 50
• What to wear and bring with you: Comfortable footwear and clothing
• Booking: CJ's School of Ballroom Dancing Tel: 01223 357556 or 07816 628747 or email dance@cjdancechool.co.uk

Come and experience the exuberance and sensuality of Belly Dance Fit class! Lively, exuberant, feminine, artistic: the mesmerising dance form passed on from mothers to daughters in the Middle East is ideal for strengthening abdominal and pelvic floor muscles, keeping the spine supple, and working all the muscles in the body in a fun way.

• Day: Fridays during term time
• Dates: Ongoing
• Time: 12 noon–1pm
• Venue: Chesterton Sports Centre, Gilbert Road, Cambridge
• Cost: £3.50 for block bookings or £5 drop-in rate
• Dance partner needed? This is a solo female dance
• Who are the sessions aimed at? Women of all ages, sizes and shapes who would like to gain control of their body and express their inner femininity
• What to wear and bring with you: Optional to bring a flowing skirt and a long scarf to pull on your hips to emphasise movements
• Booking and further information: Aurora Gercke — telephone 01223 359862 or 07745 238665

This class will focus on improving the fitness you need to be strong and supple for dance. All abilities are welcome and the dance twist gives the class a fun vibe!

• Day: Thursdays
• Dates: 12 January–22 March 2012 (excluding 16 February)
• Time: 6–7pm
• Venue: J6, Coleridge Community College, Radegund Road, Cambridge CB1 3RJ
• Cost: £40 per term or £5 per session
• Dance partner needed? No
• Who are the sessions aimed at? Teenagers–adults, novice–advanced
• What to wear and bring with you: Loose, comfortable clothing — we will be working in socks and bare feet. If you have a pilates or yoga mat, bring that although it isn’t essential
• Booking and further information: Jupiter Bangs — sinstars@aol.com or 01223 403359

Sanskrit School of Dance brings to you six taster sessions of Bollywood dancing!  Dancing to foot-tapping songs from contemporary Bollywood films.  Music will be a medley of three or four songs and the six sessions will lead to a complete choreographed dance sequence.

• Day: Every Tuesday
• Dates: From 7 February until 13 March
• Time: 7:00pm - 8:00pm
• Venue: Drama Studio, Parkside Community College, Parkside, Cambridge CB1 1EH
• Cost: £5.00 per session.  Either pay as you go per session, or pay for five sessions up front and get the sixth one free!
• Dance partner needed? No
• Who are the sessions aimed at? Adults only.
• What to wear and bring with you: Any comfortable clothing suitable for dance, and drinking water.
• Booking and further information: Please contact Krishna Zivraj-Nair - kzivraj@gmail.com   Further information - www.sanskruti.org.uk

Bhangra and Bollywood!  Vibrant, fun dancing for all.  Come and learn the basics of Indian dance with a Western twist......

• Day: Saturdays
• Dates: 21 January–25 February 2012
• Time: 10:00am - 11:00am
• Venue: Arbury Community Centre, Campkin Road, Cambridge CB4 2LD
• Cost: £5.00 per session or £25 to book the sessions up front.
• Dance partner needed? No
• Who are the sessions aimed at? Everyone welcome!
• What to wear and bring with you: No specific clothing is needed, just comfortable clothing and footwear.
• Booking and further information: Call the Sports Development Team on 01223 457532 to book your place. Pay up front for all the sessions to get a discounted price, or pay as you go (see above).

Ceroc, sometimes referred to as modern jive, is a fusion of salsa, ballroom, hiphop, tango and jive. These sessions will make learning to dance fun, easy and relaxed.

• Day: Mondays
• Dates: Every Monday excluding bank holidays
• Time:
  • Beginners session: 7.30–8.15pm (learn three moves each week)
  • 8.15–8.30pm: Optional freestyle dancing for all abilities
  • Intermediates session: 8.30–9pm. (Taxi dancers dance with the beginners in a separate room)
  • 9–10.30pm: Optional freestyle dancing for all abilities
• Venue: Cambridge University Sports and Social Club, Mill Lane, Cambridge CB2 1RX
• Cost: Download a free session voucher from ceroccentral.com
• Dance partner needed? No
• Who are the sessions aimed at? Everyone! You don’t need to have had any previous dance experience
• What to wear and bring with you: No specific clothing is needed, just comfortable clothing and footwear!
• Booking: No need to book for the sessions
• Further information: Visit ceroccentral.com. Contact Michaella Walker on 01234 378946 or 07801 734268

An accessible and dynamic class that will expand your body and mind through a series of exercises and lyrical movement combinations connecting breath, bodies, and space in imaginative possibilities.

• Day: Mondays
• Dates: 16 January–20 February
• Time: 8–9pm
• Venue: Netherhall Sports Centre
• Cost: £5 per session or £25 to book six sessions up front
• Dance partner needed? No
• Who are the sessions aimed at? Everyone
• What to wear and bring with you: Comfortable clothing and footwear
• Booking: Telephone the council on 01223 457532
• Further information: Visit janeturner.net

This movement and dance class is for the 50+ age group who are interested in getting back into dancing. The class will focus on exploring how our bodies move and developing an increased movement range.

The class will use an eclectic and wide range of music to invigorate and motivate us into dancing more freely and expressively.

This class is not about learning steps but is about discovering and enjoying how you move — and being inspired to dance!

• Day: Thursdays
• Dates: Ongoing
• Time: 2.00pm – 3.00pm
• Venue: DW Sports Centre, the beehive Centre, Cambridge (it’s not necessary to be a member of DW to join the class)
• Cost: £3.00 per session. Classes are booked and paid for in blocks of 5
• Dance partner needed? No
• Who are the sessions aimed at? The 50+ age group
• What to wear and bring with you: Comfortable loose clothing, with layers that can be taken off and put back on again
• Booking and further information: Through Barefoot dance Organisation, Filipa Pereira–Stubbs, telephone: 07525 626507

As a newcomer to Flamenco you will become familiar with one or two of the beautiful rhythm structures and be ready to learn basics of percussive footwaork, castanets and techniques of the arms, hands and turns.

• Day: Thursdays
• Dates: 2 February for six weeks
• Time: 7.45pm – 8.30pm
• Venue: Octagon Room, Wesley Church, King Street, Cambridge
• Cost: £5.00 per session or £25.00 to book all six sessions up front.
• Dance partner needed? No
• Who are the sessions aimed at? Beginners and all ages and abilities.
• What to wear and bring with you: Please wear good fitting hard soled shoes with a small block heel.
• Booking and further information: Maria-Pia Esteranza Molina (01223) 301168

This Latin fused workout is designed for the older adult or those wishing to return to a more active lifestyle. With fun moves and great music, this class promises to be a fun workout!

• Day: Thursdays
• Dates: 20 January‐23 February
• Time: 10–11am
• Venue: Arbury Community Centre, Arbury Road
• Cost: £3.50 for Forever Active members, £4 for non-members, £20 to book six sessions
• Dance partner needed? No
• Who are the sessions aimed at? All abilities welcome
• What to wear and bring with you: Comfortable footwear and clothing, and something to drink
• Booking: Not needed
• Further information: Telephone Cambridge City Council on 01223 458647

Cambridge Cuban Salsa classes are taught in a fun-filled yet technically sound way. It’s the perfect place to make your first steps in salsa in a friendly environment, or to go dancing to the sound of the most up to date, carefully selected salsa tracks.

Finish your weekend in style with a friendly dance or chat — it’s a great way to relax, keep fit and meet new people.

• Day: Sundays
• Dates: Ongoing
• Time: 7.30–8.30pm lesson, followed by a social dance until 11.30pm
• Venue: Man on the Moon, 2 Norfolk Street, Cambridge CB1 2LF
• Cost: £6 including the class and social dance
• Dance partner needed? No
• Who are the sessions aimed at? Everyone welcome
• What to wear and bring with you: Comfortable footwear and clothing
• Booking: Not needed
• Further information: Visit cambridgecubansalsa.co.uk

Cambridge Cuban Salsa also run salsa sessions in the week, as well as on Sundays:

• Day: Thursdays from 19 January
• Venue: Cambridge Working Men’s Club, 125 East Road, CB1 1DB (opposite the Crown Court)
• Cost: £6 for one class, £8 for two classes, including social dance

These lessons are perfect for those wanting to learn salsa steps before going along to the Cambridge Cuban Salsa classes (see Salsa, above) or just come along to enjoy learning the new moves.

It’s the perfect place to make your first steps in salsa in a friendly environment, or to go dancing to the sound of the most up to date, carefully selected salsa tracks.

• Day: Mondays
• Dates: 16 January2–20 February
• Time: 7–8pm
• Venue: Orchard Park Community Centre, Orchard Park, Cambridge CB4 2EZ
• Cost: £5 per lesson, or £25 to book six lessons up front
• Dance partner needed? No
• Who are the sessions aimed at? Everyone welcome, ideal for those wanting to try salsa for the first time
• What to wear and bring with you: Comfortable footwear and clothing
• Booking: Cambridge City Council, 01223 457532
• Further information: Visit cambridgecubansalsa.co.uk

The Cambridge University Strathspey & Reel Club runs lots of activities involving Scottish country dancing — like ceilidh dancing, but fancier! The session will involve social dancing and learning the basic steps and figures.

• Day: Mondays
• Dates: Term time only
• Time: 8–10pm
• Venue: Wesley Methodist Church, King Street
• Cost: £2 for members (membership is £5 per year), £3 for non-members. The first session is free!
• Dance partner needed? No
• Who are the sessions aimed at? Everyone is welcome, from beginners to old hands
• What to wear and bring with you: Wear anything comfortable
• Booking: Booking not needed
• Visit cusarc.soc.srcf.net or contact Edmund Croft at ewc20@cam.ac.uk or on 07837 648198

Sequence dancing is a combination of ballroom and Latin-American dances — including the waltz, quickstep, tango, foxtrot, cha cha cha and rumba — arranged in a repeatable group or sequence.

These social dances have live music playing and have a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. A teacher is not present at these sessions so you may wish to attend the lessons at Orchard Park (see Ballroom and sequence dancing, above) first if you’d like to familiarise yourself with the dance steps first.

• Day: Wednesdays
• Dates: 18 January, 15 February, 14 March, 23 May
• Time: 1–4pm
• Venue: Large Hall, Guildhall
• Cost: £2.50
• Dance partner needed? No
• Who are the sessions aimed at? Senior citizens
• What to wear and bring with you: Comfortable or dancing shoes
• Booking: Pay at the door
• Further information: Tea and biscuits are served at 2.30pm during a short interval

• Day: Thursdays
• Dates: November onwards
• Time: 7.45–8.45pm
• Venue: Trumpington Pavilion, Anstey Way
• Cost: £3 per class
• Dance partner needed? No
• Who are the sessions aimed at? Ladies wanting to improve their fitness through a fun dance class
• What to wear and bring with you: Comfortable footwear and clothing
• Booking: Not needed
• Further information: Helen Christy, Trumpington Pavilion — telephone 01223 847433

As part of the council's Chance to Dance and Forever Active 50+ programmes, these new tap sessions are ideal for anyone who would like to try tap dancing for the first time or get back into the dance form.

These sessions have been adapted so they are suitable for the 50+ age group and will be great for increasing bone strength as well as general fitness.

• Day: Tuesdays
• Dates: 17 January–21 February
• Time: 4–5pm
• Venue: Netherhall Sports Centre
• Cost: £3.50 for Forever Active members, £4 for non-members, or £20 to book the six sessions in advance
• Dance partner needed? No
• Who are the sessions aimed at? The sessions are suitable for the 50+ age group but anyone is welcome to attend
• What to wear and bring with you: Tap shoes aren’t required but please feel free to bring some along if you have them! Comfortable footwear and clothing is recommended
• Booking and further information: Cambridge City Council, 01223 457532

Over six weeks we will teach the basic steps in the above dances. We aim to improve your dancing style as the course progresses so that you will feel more confident when dancing, as well as giving you time to practice your dancing.

• Day: Fridays
• Dates: 6 January–10 February
• Time: 7.30–8.30pm
• Venue: Orchard Park Community Centre
• Cost: £40 per person
• Dance partner needed? No
• Who are the sessions aimed at? Everyone is welcome
• What to wear and bring with you: Comfortable footwear and clothing
• Booking: CJ’s School of Ballroom Dancing — email dance@cjdancechool.co.uk or telephone 01223 357556 or 07816 628747