Book your place now. Call us on 1300 725 977 or book at  www.socialpartnerdancing.com.au All welcome

Please note that Salsa 1 & 2 are now also included in Firefly Dance Club Full Membership. Come and join the fun!

Salsa Level 1 Tue 7.45pm – for absolute beginners or for those who may not have danced for a while.

Salsa Level 2 Tue 8.30pm – This class will commence on 19th June. Suitable for those who have completed level 1 or equivalent. Ask your teacher or reception if you are not sure which level is best for you.

1 Class – $20

4 Class Pass – $75

8 Class Pass – $140

Elena currently has limited availability on Monday and Thursday evenings for Private lessons. She is also teaching the following group classes:

International Latin Intermediate/Advanced – Mon 7.45pm

International Standard Ballroom Intermediate/Advanced – Mon 8.30pm

International Latin & Ballroom Level 2 – Thurs 6.15pm

New Vogue Intermediate/Advanced – Thurs 7pm

Salsa Intermediate/Advanced – Thurs 8.30pm

Saturday’s Dance Sampler Class will remain unchanged.

We will be adding an extra class to the Thursday evening schedule at 6.15pm – International Latin & Ballroom Level 2. This class is for those who have been attending the International Latin & Ballroom for Beginners class and are ready for the next level. If you have had some International Latin & Ballroom experience and need a refresher this class may also be suitable for you.

We understand that many of you are unable to commit to 8 week series classes due to work commitments, family activites, travel etc. but don’t want to miss out on the fun you have in group classes at Firefly. We hear you! So from the 26th of July we will commence Salsa Level 1 & 2 as casual classes.

Salsa Level 1  every Tuesday at 7.00pm

Salsa Level 2 every Tuesday at 7.45pm

The benefits are:

• You can progress to the next level when you are ready – no pressure at the end of 8 weeks to move up a class
• You can pay $20 per class, buy a 4 class pass for $75 (expires 6 weeks after first class) or an 8 class pass for $140 (expires 10 weeks after first class)
• You can attend classes at levels below for practice and/or revision any week
• If you miss a class you can cover that material in the next rotation
• No need to pre-book you can just come and have some fun

Due to these classes becoming Casual we cannot guarantee numbers or gender balance.
Salsa Level 1 & 2 are now included in Firefly Dance Club’s Full Membership.

Check the full Casual Group Class Timetable for further information or ask one of our teachers which level is right for you.

If you would like to join our fabulous 8 Week Series dance classes in International Latin, Ballroom (Standard) & New Vogue classes, we have made it even easier. You can now start every 2 weeks! (Except Beginner New Vogue which can be started every 4 weeks)

Check the 8 week Series Class Timetable for times & dates.

Our group dance classes do have limited numbers to ensure you don’t get lost in the crowd so call the studio now on 1300 725 977  to book!

So what’s the difference between American, International and New Vogue?

• The American style starts with simpler patterns than International (or Modern) and the focus is more on learning partnership and floorcraft skills so that the patterns can be put together depending on the social situation.

• The American style has moves which are “open” (in which partners can separate from each other) while International Ballroom stays in closed position. Partners dance closer together in International style rather than the more “distant” connection which characterises the Social style at Bronze level and can be less intimidating for newcomers .

• International style is what you would recognise from dance competitions, but is also taught as a more social style, as what most people want is to be able to use dance in social settings. It tends to use a set sequence of patterns.

• Using an analogy, the American style starts with “words” and builds sentences then paragraphs. International style tends to come from the other direction, starting with sequences of patterns like paragraphs and then “pulls them apart” to examine sentences then words. For that reason, International style includes some dances that don’t lend themselves to social partner dance, such as Paso Doble.

• Both are legitimate styles with recognised curricula, technique, skills and levels

• The American style includes Waltz, Foxtrot, Tango, Viennese Waltz, Cha Cha, Mambo, Rumba, Bolero, Samba, and East Coast Swing. At Firefly we also teach West Coast Swing, Salsa, Two Step and Hustle which are danced in more casual social settings often to modern music.

• The International style includes Foxtrot, Waltz, Tango, Viennese Waltz, Qick Step, Rumba, Cha Cha, Samba, Jive and Paso Doble

• However, there are different steps in each style, differences in technique and more confusingly in some cases, the dances are very different even though they are called the same eg American Rumba and International Rumba.

• New Vogue started in the 1930s and is based on Modern Ballroom technique. However, in this style every couple on the dance floor performs the same steps at the same time and at the end of the sequence, the steps are started again. This makes it quite easy to learn at first and is very popular as a social dance. It is also a competitive style.

• International and New Vogue classes and private lessons are available with Serghei Bolgarschii from February 21, 2011. He will be bringing his existing students with him and we welcome them into the Firefly “family”.

If I have been learning one style can I try the other?

Yes is the simple answer. Any style Firefly teaches is open to everyone, although we do have some pre-requisities for some of our more difficult dances.

The best idea is to talk to your teacher about how this fits into your dance goals
For the students who have started with the International style, the Dance Sampler class is an easy way to experience the American style and anyone doing private lessons at Firefly can come to the Sampler class at no cost.

Which is best for me?

Over time it will be good to know the basics and basic differences in technique of both styles as you will be able to dance with a broader range of people at social events.
Anyone wanting to compete should do International style.
Learning both gives you a better understanding about dance, rhythm and partnership.

What’s the advantage of Firefly extending the range of styles we offer?

Firefly has always been innovative in its approach to partner dancing, and while most Studio’s tend to opt for one style or the other (and sometimes see a great divide between them), we are building a “dance community” which can benefit from knowing and using a number of different styles which exist in the broader social scene.
Firefly will continue to acknowledge and embrace other styles you may come across socially (eg maybe Zouk or Lindy Hop) as we continue to grow.

Will the introduction of International and New Vogue styles change Firefly?

Yes, for the better – we will have more to offer current and new students
No – Firefly Dance Club is dedicated to the social use of partner dance, to our Club, to the best teaching, the best experience, the best environment and to individualising our programs. So our underlying philosophy and approach will not change. Serghei will be a Firefly staff member and will bring some new dimensions to what we can offer existing and future students.
We already have people with International experience that come to Firefly Fridays and are made very welcome
We will be looking at Club membership to make sure our International style students have the opportunity to join.