Studio News at Fred Astaire Dance Studio of Upper Montclair

Valentine's Day Gifts in Northern New Jersey

2012-01-23T16:23:00.000-08:00

Here's our top 10 Reasons why Dancing Lessons Make the Perfect Gift

You're buying your sweetie a date-night
It's a gift that creates memories
You'll have your partner as a captive audience
It's suitable for any stage of your relationship - from a first date to a 25th Anniversary
It says "I want to spend time with you."
It's a memorable gift - in a good way. Not like a fruitcake.
It's easy and affordable
It's healthy
It's romantic
It'll probably be the best gift you ever gave.

At Fred Astaire of Upper Montclair, we have gifts starting at just $60 - a Zumba® 6-Pack class makes a great gift for your co-worker or best friend. For $99 you can get your Mom an Introductory Program, or $198 for your Mom and Dad. Your teacher will love it too. Great gifts for Mom and Dad, your husband or wife, teacher, kids or friends. Stop in all week until 10PM! Or Click here and purchase our Introductory Program from Paypal (look for the shopping carts!) and we'll mail you a gift certificate!

Fred Astaire Dance Studio
604 Valley Road
Upper Montclair, NJ 07043
Like us on Facebook for upcoming events and day to day announcements!

Fred Astaire Dance Studios of Upper Montclair, NJ for romantic couple outings or fun with friends. Learn to dance. Live. Love. Dance. 604 Valley Road, Upper Montclair, NJ. Dancing lessons in NJ at Essex County's Best

"I Can't Dance"

2012-01-12T17:13:00.000-08:00

Don't Let This Be You!
Call Fred Astaire Today!
Warning - some of the lyrics are explicit. But this is why we're here!
Enjoy - Dirt Nasty - I CAN'T DANCE

When I walk into the club I can't feel the beat
Don't ask me to dance I got two left feet
Tryin' to mack but I got no game
‘Cause it look like my whole damn body's in pain
I can't dance
I'm at the bar
Or at home watchin' dancin' with the stars
I got the looks
I got the money
When I dance the ladies think I'm funny, funny, funny, funny...

When I dance the ladies think I'm funny...
I can't dance...

Get More: Dirt Nasty, I Can't Dance, Music, More Music Videos

Things to Do at Fred Astaire

2012-01-08T14:46:00.000-08:00

There are literally a hundred reasons why people take dance lessons. They're bored, they're lonely, they have "learn to dance tango" on their bucket list, to get in shape, to lose weight, to meet new people, to spend time with their spouse. The list is endless.

That's why at Fred Astaire of Upper Montclair, we offer so many different opportunities for you to learn to dance, and so many social events for you to practice your dancing.

You may want to try our Beginner's Classes on Monday Nights, where we study waltz, foxtrot, tango, cha-cha, rumba, swing, hustle, samba, merengue and more.

Or you might be interested in joining our ladies only performance group, which meets on Monday nights.

Every Tuesday and Thursday at 7:30pm we have our Zumba® Fitness Classes, directed by Zumba® Certified Instructor Jennifer Donayre-Mandericchio. Jennifer's classes are easy for the beginner and challenging for the more advanced Zumba® enthusiasts. Loyalists will say Jennifer's Zumba® class is the best in Montclair or Upper Montclair. Our Zumba® students travel from Little Falls, Cedar Grove, Glen Ridge, Verona, Clifton, Wayne and further to take class with Jen, because her Zumba classes are the best around. Visit our website for more information. Zumba classes are $12 per drop-in or $10 per class for a pre-paid 6-pack ($60).

Want your children to experience the joy of dance? We have ballroom group classes for kids on Wednesdays at 4:45, and Kids Latin-Fitness classes on Thursdays at 4:45.

Every Thursday night we have a beginning ballroom dance lesson that is aimed at the "two left-feet" crowd. And of course, most Thursdays we have our "free" open practice-party, which are a complimentary part of your experience at Fred Astaire. There's never a charge to practice if you're a registered Fred Astaire Student.

On Friday nights we have our Advanced Classes, and our Club-Style Latin classes, where you'll learn salsa, merengue, bachata and more.

And on Thursdays, we have MUSIC FOR AARVARKS®, a music and dance class where your babies and toddlers can explore rhythms, rhyme and movements with a trusted national franchise.

Saturday mornings, stretch and strengthen with our "I ♥ Dance" with Broadway-VeteranLois Englund. Burn calories with Lois' adult jazz/pilates/yoga/dance class for adults every Saturday morning in Montclair.

We even have wedding dance seminars so you can be sure to step onto the dance floor in harmony with our wedding dance classes.

Every few weeks we have a special event planned, such as Valentine's Parties, competitions, formal parties, informal showcases, dance camps, formal dinner-dances, fun trips and more.

We also rent the studio out for private parties, kids birthday parties, bar mitzvahs, baby showers and more. What a beautiful party rental location in Montclair! Your friends will love it!

Now is a great time for crossing "learning to dance" off YOUR bucket list.

Join us, at Fred Astaire Dance Studio of Upper Montclair. You can get started with our $99 Introductory Special.

I ♥ Dance

2012-01-02T07:34:00.000-08:00

Lois Englund, Broadway Veteran, brings her unique gifts of Yoga, Pilates and Broadway to Upper Montclair, Saturday Mornings @ 9:30am

If you're New Year's (ahem) Resolutions include getting ♥ healthy, we can help! Everywhere you look, dancing is included in the top 10 activities for fitness and weight loss, burning calories and improving your health!

If you ♥ Dance, you will love Broadway Veteran Lois Englunds' reformatted class - I ♥ Dance
Designed to get your heart rate pumping, stretch and strengthen and get acquainted with muscles and skills you never knew you had! Lois will combine her expertise in pilates, her yoga certification together with her mad jazz and Broadway dance skills to spin, twist, bend, jump and pas-de-bouree you into the best shape of your life. Or at least better shape than 2011.

Class begins at 9:30 am on Saturday, January 7. The class has been reformatted to 1 hour to get your heart rate pumping and keep it up. Like a popular Zumba class, but with a stretching and cool-down phase. Beginners are welcome, as are teens age 15+. Wear yoga gear or jazz pants, leggings, t-shirt or work-out tops. If you're thinking about buying jazz sneakers, ask Lois fist.

You may register all week at Fred Astaire - cash or check only. The class is a 6-week program, $90 for all 6-weeks or $18 per drop-in. Please tell your friends and family!! We need at least 5 people to keep the class going, so spread the word!!!

If Jazz isn't your thing, be sure to check out our January calendar for class schedules and events. And remember, our Annual Trophy Ball and Astaire Awards are coming up soon! January 14, at the Sheraton in Mahwah.

To read more about our Upcoming events, check out our last blog http://fadsstudionews.blogspot.com/2011/11/fred-astaire-dance-studios-of-nj-2012.html

And remember as we move into 2012, your experience at Fred Astaire should always be perfect. If it isn't, please tell us, we will do whatever we can to fix it.!

Happy New Year, and Happy New You!
Fred Astaire Dance Studio of Upper Montclair


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Unique Gifts from Fred Astaire Dance Studio

2011-12-13T14:12:00.000-08:00

Here's our top 10 Reasons why Dancing Lessons Make the Perfect Gift

You're buying your sweetie a date-night
It's a gift that creates memories
You'll have your partner as a captive audience
It's suitable for any stage of your relationship - from a first date to a 25th Anniversary
It says "I want to spend time with you."
It's a memorable gift - in a good way. Not like a fruitcake.
It's easy and affordable
It's healthy
It's romantic
It'll probably be the best gift you ever gave.

Fred Astaire Dance Studios of NJ 2012 Upcoming Events

2011-11-09T07:46:00.000-08:00

There is no such thing as "jumping the gun" in dancing! We plan your dance programs with you before you finish your current program, and we help plan your year for you so you can budget, plan, save, prepare, practice and invite your family to watch you grow as a dancer! Please share our upcoming Fred Astaire 2012 Events with your friends!

Fred Astaire Trophy System

2012 Fred Astaire New Jersey Awards Ball
Now is the time to wrap up the portion of the program that you are working on currently. If you're a Social Dancer, you'll pass your level into Bronze, Pre-Bronze to Intermediate, etc. The Fred Astaire Trophy Program is the best way to keep you on track with your growth, compare your dancing with others on a regional and national level, and get the coveted Trophy Award when you finish your Bronze, Silver or Gold Programs. At the NJ Astaire Awards Ball, you'll receive State-wide recognition for your accomplishments as a dancer, have a chance to compete in your favorite dances (or improve by competing in your most challenging dances) and show-off your dancing to a crowd full of supporters. The day starts with a competition geared at the beginning dancer, and ends with a grand buffet dinner, dancing and awards.

Fred Astaire Upper Montclair Red Party

February 16
F(RED) Party and Valentine's Spotlight
Join us February 16 for our RED PARTY. If you're a novice, you'll be able to demonstrate a spotlight dance, a short showcase that we call a "work in progress". If you're a seasoned dancer, you may want to dance last year's showcase one more time, or try out a new open routine or a new dance you're working on. Or if you're more of a spectator, join your fellow dancers wearing red, enjoy some great food and wine and an evening of dancing with your new friends. $25 Per Person

Join Fred Astaire at Bally's in Atlantic City

March 8-11
NY/NJ Metropolitan
Dance Sport Championships
Enjoy, mix and mingle during this opportunity to meet other Fred Astaire Students, enjoying some great "adult" refreshments and gaming. Atlantic City attractions and activities will entertain and delight you. With antique shops, museums, piers and arcades, casinos and nightclubs, you're certain to discover more than enough places to visit and play at one of the oldest and best boardwalks in the United States.
And then there's the dancing!!!! You’ll have the chance to dance – both competitively and socially - as never before. As a spectator, you’ll witness all levels of dance, from beginners through professionals, and watch some of the finest ballroom and Latin dancing in the world today.

Join us while we celebrate our LUCK

March 15
Lucky You Party
Whether you're Irish, like the color green or not, March 15 we celebrate YOU! Join us for an evening of contests, games, prizes and a lot of fun on the dance floor. We'll be featuring you, showing off your new skills and dances, talking about you, showing you off and celebrating how lucky WE are you're dancing with us. Chances to win free lessons at this lucky party!

Go Cross-Country With Fred Astaire

VEGAS, BABY!

What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, unless, of course, you happen to win the title of NATIONAL FRED ASTAIRE CHAMPION. The more the merrier. You should START PLANNING AND SAVING for Vegas now!!!!! Let's show the country Upper Montclair means - well, DANCING BUSINESS! April 11-15, The Mirage, Las Vegas

That's our Jazz Teacher, Lois on the left

AUDITION DAY

No stage fright here, folks, Audition day is just a fancy name for "plan your September showcase". Join us for a day of master-classes lead by New Jersey Master teachers, who, by the way, have earned the highest acclaim and titles in the country, and even the world of ballroom dancing. NJ Professionals boast US and World Chamion professionals who will teach workshops and master-classes while you plan your showcase, costumes, music and fan-fare for our NJ Regional Showcase in September. May 12 - studio TBD.

THE WHITE PARTY

Join us as we celebrate our 13th year in Upper Montclair. Our Anniversary Party is the Black-Tie Event of the year, a chance for you to dress up, feel like a star, and perform your best showcase. Catered Elegance and five-star treatment all the way. You'll feel your beauty at our WHITE PARTY. May 18, 2012.

JERSEY SHORE SHOWDOWN

This fun-filled one-day event is your chance to prove to Jersey who's the boss! We are. A full day of competition followed by an evening of Jersey Shore Partying! Held at the beautiful Ocean Place Resort, proving Jersey residents are fun, competitive and elegant and classy!
June 3, 2012

Fred Astaire Dance Studio of Upper Montclair QR Code

Link straight to our Facebook page and check our status updates for inclement weather closings, competition updates and up-to-the minute inspiration and announcements. It's the fastest and easiest way to stay connected. Share our FACEBOOK page link on your home pages, Share, Stumble, digg, comment, repeat and retweet to your friends. The more people you share with, the more likely you are to get a guest. The more guests you refer, the more free lessons you earn! Share and share some more!!

Your experience at Fred Astaire should be perfect every time. If it's not, please let us know, and we will do everything we can to fix it! 604 Valley Road, Upper Montclair, NJ 07043

973-783-8999 - www.DanceAstaire.com - http://www.facebook.com/uppermontclairfredastaire

Fred Astaire Dance Studio of Upper Montclair, voted Best Dance Studio of Essex County Thanks to YOU!

2011-10-13T10:12:00.000-07:00

Carve a "Fred Astaire Pumpkin" and win a free private and a free group!

Halloween Happenings at Fred Astaire

Thursday, October 27, 2011 – Upper Montclair, NJ - Looking for a preternatural grown-persons party to parade your phenomenal Halloween costume! Come to Fred Astaire of Upper Montclair on October 27!

At 7:30 we’ll have our Costumed Halloween Zumba® Fitness Class, followed by a Free Introductory Ballroom Class @ 8:30 PM for the “two-left-feet” zombies who’re looking to spiff up their “impress-the chicks-and-dudes” dance moves.

Dancers dressing up at Montclair Fred Astaire Costume Contest 2010 Runner's Up Beth and Steve with Carrie B

Fred Astaire Dance Studio "Best Dance Studio of Essex County" Award winning Staff

2010 Best Costume Winner Andrew Pincus

Dancing with Dexter - Pete and Carrie dance a Tango at Fred Astaire

Then at 9:15 pm, Eat, Drink and Be Scary with the staff and students of Fred Astaire, where we’ll bust a move to great tunes and show-off our swanky new dance moves. $100 Cash prize for best costume.

Or, if you like to sit and watch, but have a flair for the artistic, you can enter our Halloween Pumpkin Carving Contest. Carve the image of Fred Astaire, our logo, dancing couples or any ballroom dancing themed image into a pumpkin and enter it in our PUMPKIN CARVING CONTEST. All entrants will be posted on facebook at http://www.facebook.com/uppermontclairfredastaire and displayed at the studio during the party. Bring your pumpkin in before the party on October 27. The pumpkin with the most votes will win a gift certificate for a free private lesson and a free group class!

Why Take Group Classes

2011-09-26T15:22:00.000-07:00

Imagine your life of learning up until today. You studied history in class, you went to college, took classes, you wanted to learn to sing, you joined the chorus. Most of your learning has been in the group class format. At the Fred Astaire Dance Studio of Upper Montclair, our entire system of teaching is based on the group dance class. Let's see how much you know!
There are just as many reasons to take group classes as there are reasons as to why individuals don't want to take group ballroom dance classes.
Why Not?
You've probably heard it around the studio water-cooler, and even discussed it with your friends, "I don't take group classes because.......(I want the private attention), (they don't have a group class my level), (I can't learn in a group setting), (I don't want to change partners). I could write an essay on each category, but I'm only going to address the partner switch today.
Why you don't want to change partners in a ballroom group class, and why you should.
You might be shy, or have decided that you came to the studio to spend more time with your partner, or feel like you can't learn as fast as the rest of the class. You may not want others to see you struggle. The fact is, everyone has difficulty at some point in the learning process. Rotating parters can actually give you CONFIDENCE when you discover that Mr. Smith has trouble with timing, and you don't, or that Ms. Cooper has trouble with directional movement and you don't. You'll develop empathy for sure!
Experience shows the couples who ROTATE partners in group classes tend to learn faster, have less difficulty dancing together, and certainly argue less! Rotating partners allows you to feel what the step should feel like with a wider-range of skill levels. You might be the best in the class, but if you can't follow the worst student in a group, you've got work to do! Changing partners can allow you to see that you may be leading or following incorrectly. You may discover that you aren't a strong enough leader, or that you're too strong. You may discover that in fact, you've been leading your husband in every dance, and have finally decided to stop. (You're a closet BACKLEADER)
I've always noticed that when couples who came together dance together, they chit-chat about the step or (gasp!) try to TEACH each other (tsk tsk!), or correct one another. When you rotate away from your partner and dance with the 4, 5 or 6 other people in the class, you'll come back to your partner having improved and you'll BOTH BE HAPPIER!
OK, SO WHY SHOULD I TAKE GROUP CLASSES AT MY BALLROOM STUDIO?

MONEY (read this) (all of it)

How group classes can save you money in ballroom studios

And the survey says, the number one reason you should take group classes is MONEY. You'll save $$$ by learning in group classes. We can teach groups for le$$ money than private lesson$, and that money goes right back to you. By learning new steps in DANCE CLA$$, you enable your private le$$on teacher to get right into the REFINING PROCE$$. If you're constantly learning new steps in your private le$$ons, you'll end up spending twice as much, because learning new steps takes time! If you come with the new step and (gasp! again) actually practiced or TRIED to practice it before your lessons, your teacher can work out the bugs very quickly and start teaching you how to expre$$ the new material, how to make it feel authentic, how to relax while you're dancing it, and how to present the $tep with (pardon us) your best foot forward.

*did you know some of our students take 3 to 1 (3:1) groups to every private lesson? - that's a sure-fire way to save a lot of moolah!

SOCIAL NETWORKING BALLROOM STYLE

Win new friends and score a new dance partner with
Group classes at Fred Astaire Upper Montclair

Your group class is a chance for you to meet and mingle with other dancers with the same program as you. As you're learning new steps, you'll also meet new people that have similar interests and go to all the swanky places you go to. When you come for our THURSDAY NIGHT PARTIES you'll automatically have doubled, tripled or QUADRUPLED YOUR DANCE PARTNER OPTIONS. Studies show (real important, scientific studies) that people who progress through programs together, people who take group classes SEEK OUT THOSE PARTNERS in practice sessions and say "hey, twinkle-toes, let's try that jazzy new foxtrot step we learned Monday night." Rumor has it even relationships have BLOOMED because of group class friendships. But that's just rumor.

And speaking of SOCIAL NETWORKING BALLROOM STYLE, you can use our social networking sites like www.facebook.com/uppermontclairfredastaire to see if your friends are going to class tonight, or tweet on www.twitter.com/fredastaireupmt that you're "going to get your groove on at Fred Astaire" or "big party at freddy's tonight - don't miss it - all the cool people will be there" Then your friends will think you have a secret, think you're cooler, and will sign up and CHA-CHA-CHING!$$$$$$ you get free lessons!!!!!!

Bring it!

If you have a competitive nature, group classes are for you! Check out Sandy Samba - she started two months after you! How come she's so much better? This will reportedly make you work harder. (If your name is Tim, it already has). Bring out your inner rivalrous champion and aggressively learn that Tango. Be better than her next week!

Change it up!

All the instructors at Fred Astaire Dance Studio are superior teachers. Every one of us, all of us, all of them, have something brilliant they are DYING to tell you about your dancing. Who knows, it just might be the key that you've been looking for, to unlock all your inner Astaire, J-Lo or Gene Kelly finesse. If you only take lessons from ONE TEACHER you are missing the amazing benefits of learning from a collective pool of knowledge. Seriously, our teachers are fountains of ballroom information. Shake it up, so you don't get bored, boring, addicted, enabled or fizzle-out with one teacher.

Balance

Face it, if you can't dance a step by yourself, you're not going to be the belle of the ball. And you might find a swarm of Sadies who say "see ya, no thanks" when you ask them to dance. By learning in a group class setting you'll learn your steps thoroughly by yourself -- you'll learn to twist, turn, spin, spot and trip the light fantastic without spilling over onto your partner. Your partners will thank you for it. You'll be the one EVERYONE wants to dance with.

Confidence

Once you know your steps, you know your steps. You'll feel better about yourself, you'll feel more comfortable and less shy about your dancing. You'll feel better because you know some people at your school, and you may even get a graduation certificate when you and all your fancy new friends pass from social to bronze, from bronze to silver and more. Can you say GRADUATION PARTY!

WHAT GROUPS ARE FOR ME?

Monday @ 7PM - Latin Group Show Dance - beginners and advanced dancers, here's your chance to perform a group salsa, bachata, merengue showcase. Get ready for our HOLIDAY BALL AND SHOWCASE with our Group Show class.
Monday @ 7:45 - Beginning Bronze Group - if you've had more than 20 lessons, you'll want to join this class. Learn 2-3 steps in TWO DIFFERENT DANCES in each group each week.
Monday @ 8:30 - Social Dancing - if you've had less than 20 lessons, here's your group. Learn the basics in our inter-related teaching method. We pair waltz and rumba, cha-cha and swing, foxtrot and tango, salsa and hustle. Every Monday is a different duo.
Monday @ 9:15 Ladies Night - join this ladies only performance group. They've just started their HOLIDAY BALL showcase and you'll love it!
Tuesdays @ 8:30 THEME MASTER CLASSES - join Carrie for a master class designed for everyone in the studio revolving around the theme of the week. Next Tuesday's class - PRESENTATION.

For a complete schedule of group dance classes at Fred Astaire Dance Studio of Upper Montclair, call the studio at 973-783-8999

Dancing for Kids

2011-09-09T20:00:00.000-07:00

Children Love To Dance


	Fred Astaire TAP and JAZZ for kids starts Septemb

Let's face it. Children love to dance. The best dancers we know began studying dance as children. Dancing is a great way to get kids out of the house, moving and developing friendships that will last a lifetime.

Benefits of Dance

While the benefits of dance for children and adults is essentially the same, children usually experience a certain joie de vivre in their dance classes that adults sometimes, well, let's say, might have forgotten. Children who dance learn self-confidence, leadership ablities, how to make friends, learn to set goals. They have improved self-esteem, learn to focus, improve muscle tone and develop their circulatory system.


You pre-schooler will love dancing tap and jazz at http://www.DanceAstaire.com

Often, children who dance have a sense of self, of individualism and pride. They are proud they participate in an activity that helps identify them as unique, gifted even.

Young Children Ballroom dance too! Fred Astaire of Upper Montclair

If your child loves music or dance, likes SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE or DANCING WITH THE STARS, DANCE MOMS, ANGELINA BALLERINA, BACKYARDIGANS or any other program that features dancers, they might have a life-long love of dance. While all children who dance don't become professionals, all adults who danced as children have fond memories of their dance class, and every person who walks into the Fred Astaire Dance Studio who danced as a child is proud to say "yes, I studied dance when I was young"

CLASSES
Tuesdays @ 4:45 Latin Fitness for 9-14 year-olds.
Rev up your childs' metabolism, tone and improve their coordination with our Latin-based fitness class for kids. Loosely based on the International Latin Syllabus approved by the NDCA and the Fred Astaire National Dance Board and taught by a certified ballroom dance instructor. Zumba inspired. Children between 9-14 are welcome and parents must sign a release form

Wednesdays @ 4:45
Ballroom & Latin Dance
For 8-12 year-olds. Your child will learn the basics of Latin and Ballroom dancing. This class is progressive and for serious students only, but beginners are welcome!

Thursdays @ 10 AM
Music for Aardvarks
For 0-5 years-olds. Play, Rock and Groove with this nationally recognized music and movement program, featured on Nick Jr. Visit http://harmonizenj.com/ for details. Suitable for ages 0-5

Thursdays @ 1:45 PM
Preschool Tap/Jazz

3-6 Year-old, potty trained tots. Face it, kids love tap shoes. And kids love music. Start them out right with a master dancer who is also lots of fun and a very experienced teacher.

Saturdays @ 10 AM – Broadway Jazz(Starts 9/17)

Join Broadway Veteran Lois Englund for this amazing technique class in Broadway Jazz!

Check out our website at www.DanceAstaire.com
Call the studio at 973-783-8999

Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/uppermontclairfredastaire

Fred Astaire Infomercial

2011-09-08T19:27:00.000-07:00

If you've been considering taking dance lessons, you'll want to see our video. You'll never regret learning to dance. Let this be your first step!

Fred Astaire Dance Studio of Upper Montclair - 604 Valley Road, Upper Montclair NJ

Fred Astaire on You Tube

Summer Swings at Fred Astaire!

2011-07-02T18:51:00.000-07:00

Looking to shake up your summer routine?
Let the masters at Fred Astaire of Upper Montclair put some steam in your summer!

Whether you're interested in signing up to explore ballroom dancing for the first time, looking for a new "step" in your fitness routine, or a seasoned ballroom dancer, we have something for EVERYONE at Fred Astaire.

CHECK OUT OUR SUMMER 2011 CLASSES

Saturdays @ 10:00 AM

Broadway Jazz with Lois


Lois Englund (far left), in A CHORUS LINE on Broadway. Lois teaches the Adult Jazz Dance Class in Upper Montclair on Saturday Mornings @ 10 AM.

Lois Englund appeared as Val in A CHORUS LINE on Broadway in addition to dozens of Broadway shows. She's studied with Bob Fosse and Michael Bennett and teaches a fantastic jazz class for adults!

Please call the studio if you're interested! New students welcome!

Tuesdays @ 6:30 PM AND Thursdays @ 7:30 PM - Zumba Fitness

Stretch your body and burn some major calories with our latin-based fitness/cardio class, led by Zumba Certified Instructor Jenn D

Mondays @ 7:45
Social Bronze Steps and Styling

If you've had between 15 - 40 lessons, this is the class for you!

Mondays @ 9:15 PM

Ballroom/Latin Toning & Strengthening with Vesko

Condition your body to muscle memorize a dancers poise and posture, tone, strengthen and stretch your body to it's ultimate form.

Tuesdays @ 7:45

Social Foundation Group Class

If you've had less than 30 lessons, this is the class for you!

Tuesdays @ 8:30 PM

International Standard with Tim

Every Bronze Student should really consider taking this class. June will be Foxtrot and Quickstep.

Wednesdays @ 7:00 PM - Beginning

Belly Dancing 8 Week Session - Beginning June 15

Wednesdays @ 8:00 PM - Intermediate

Belly Dancing 8-Week Session - Beginning June 15

Thursdays @ 7:30 PM - Zumba

You can take Zumba every Tuesday @ 6:30 or Thursday @ 7:30 at Fred Astaire in Upper Montclair, NJ

Thursdays @ 8:30 PM - Introductory Ballroom Class
This is the class you should take if you've never taken ballroom or Latin classes before.

Thursdays @ 9:15 - Free Practice Party
Join us from 9:15-10 PM each Thursday Night to practice your new moves on the dance floor, meet new people and socialize with your new Fred Friends. Our practice parties are always free to our registered students. Sometimes on Thursdays we have a party, with games and shows and contests - check the studio at (973)783-8999 to be sure we have a free practice if you're planning to attend.

Practice Parties are free to our Registered Students. Every Thursday Night you can dance at Fred Astaire in Upper Montclair!

Fridays @ 7:45 - Advanced Bronze Technique and Steps (6-10)
Learn the styling, pattern and expression of the six-major dances in our bronze technique class. For experienced dancers only.

Fridays @ 8:30 PM - International Latin
Cha-cha, rumba, Paso Doble, Jive and Samba your way to fun and better dancing!

For information on some or all of these classes, please call Fred Astaire of Upper Montclair @ 973-783-8999

Why Compete Ballroom Dancing?

2011-06-14T20:55:00.000-07:00

Why Compete Ballroom?

“I didn’t come to learn competitive ballroom dancing!” Sound familiar? It’s our number one objection when we announce we have a competition coming up. Let me take you on a little journey, one that begins with you deciding you want to be a better dancer.

Once upon a time, you saw an ad in the newspaper, or you watched Kirstie and Max on ABC-TV’s hit show Dancing with the Stars, and you thought – “that looks like fun. I think I’d like to learn how to dance.” So you Googled “ballroom dancing lessons in NJ” and you came up with 5 choices near you. Hooray for you – you chose the Fred Astaire Dance Studio. You took the 2 lesson special, then the 5 lesson special. You decided to continue to learn how to social dance, and set your goal to become a good Bronze dancer. You learned that a good Bronze dancer is someone who could lead or follow anyone on the dance floor with confidence, and that is why you started.

You remember when your teacher explained the “Trophy System.” She mentioned the Gold Dancer. She pointed out that lady on the dance floor who is awesome. That lady goes to competitions every month and won the U.S. Pro-Am, blah, blah, blah, and you thought, “No, I never want to do that.” Then your teacher mentioned the Silver Program and said “Silver dancers compete a few times a year, but live for dance. They come to lessons every day, they attend every ‘Practice Party,’ they go to every event, and they even practice on their own.” Still, you said, “nope, I’m not that ambitious.” So you decided you wanted to be a Bronze Dancer. After all, a Bronze dancer is better than what you are, but not as fancy as a Silver or a Gold dancer. Now, all of the sudden, your teacher is talking about competitions! What happened? “I swore I said I didn’t want to compete.” And that’s true, you did.

You also entrusted your teacher with your dance education, and said your goal is to become the best dancer possible. One way to achieve your goal is to dive into a dance competition. The reason is simple, it’s not about winning, but once you have made the commitment to compete with a deadline to perform, the entire experience of learning and practice changes.

Practice parties will suddenly help you build your stamina. You’ll begin to think about your posture and your poise, and about reaching your arms farther. You might also watch a better dancer twirl her fingers in that sexy way. You’ll begin to watch your wife’s teacher move his hips, wondering if you’ll ever be able to do that. You’ll begin to plan your lessons with your teacher, and study your chart after your lesson. You’ll learn that you had better get that babysitter committed to every Tuesday and Thursday night for the next month, and you’ll have a back-up plan ready, because your practice time is limited and needs to be scheduled. You’ll start to take more group classes, because they’re less expensive. You’ll become goal oriented, whether during practice parties, in a class, or with an instructor, or yes, even when you practice on your own.

In essence, you will push yourself to achieve more. And wasn’t that your goal all along? All the money you invest in your dancing isn’t going into your teacher’s pocket, or your studio owner’s or competition organizer’s. It is going into your dance education, your self-improvement, your confidence, and your happiness. It’s also going into your poise, posture, time spent with your spouse, your personal relationships. It is going into your fantasy of wearing rhinestones and being swept off your feet, your weight-loss goals, your health, and your relaxation. When you have successfully completed a competition, you will have improved your dancing more than if you took ten lessons in one day.

We seriously doubt that you decided to pursue ballroom dancing because you needed another activity to fill your dull and boring life. Most of us barely have time to watch the Dancing with the Stars episode that we TIVO’d. Competitive dancing is a bonus—an extracurricular activity that will help us enjoy our dancing. It gives us the opportunity to try hard, to practice, to study, and become the kind of dancer we dreamed of being when we started out. If we happen to pick up a blue ribbon in the process, it’s an exciting added bonus.

Kostadin Bidjourov and Carrie Babcock

Benefits of Competitive Ballroom Dancing
· Have a vision
· Setting goals makes work more productive
· A little competition inspires you to work harder
· Find practice more productive
· Build stamina
· Increase opportunities to go out dancing
· Improve your poise, posture
· Improved self-confidence
· Overall self improvement
· Use your competitive routines to social dance at parties and practice parties
· Focus your training
· Working with accomplished coaches and trainers helps you improve faster
· Having a deadline makes you work now
· You’ll probably stick to your diet or exercise program, knowing you have a competition coming up
· Earn respect from your peers
· Turn dancing into a passion
· Because you love to dance
· Improve your self-esteem
· Develop memories that will last a lifetime
· Give your grandchildren, neighbors, friends a great story
· Improve muscle tone
· Meet people who love what you love
· Reduce stress
· Increase energy
· Stimulate your mind, like sudoku or cross-word puzzles
· Develop circulatory system
· Reduce heart rate
· Teaches you to be the best possible dancer you can be
· Competitive dancers make the best partners – they are the easiest people to lead and follow on the dance floor, making them the person everyone wants to ask “could I have this dance?”

Carrie Babcock is a 5-Time US Champion and co-owner of the Fred Astaire Dance Studio of Upper Montclair. She began her career as a competitive ballroom dancer at the age of 28.

If you'd like more information about ballroom dancing, call our studio in Montclair, NJ at 973-783-8999, or visit our website at www.DanceAstaire.com

The Fred Astaire Dance Studio of Upper Montclair will be hosting a ballroom competition on July 29, 2011. Ask your instructor for more information!

Come What MAY

2011-05-06T08:36:00.000-07:00

There is so much happening at Fred Astaire Upper Montclair this month I'm dizzy! I hope you'll take advantage of every opportunity to dance, have fun and live your life more fully!

May 14 - "A DAY OF DANCE - Dance Camp and Audition Day for our NJ Regional Showcase "Dancing Through the Decades" on September 24, 2001. Join us for a day of master classes featuring technique and lectures from NJ's finest dancers, National and US Champions.

$95 Per person includes lunch, a consultation with Stephen Knight and Ilya Ifraimov (if needed) and the following:

10:15 AM Zumba with Fred Astaire Champion Gaby Jileva
11:15 AM Ballroom Stretch with US Champion Carrie Babcock
12:00 PM International Latin with Fred Astaire Champion Vesko Matakov
12:45 PM Group Showcase Choreography with Fred Astaire Champion Ilya Ifraimov
1:30 PM Peabody with US Champion Charles Penatello
2:15 PM Salsa with US Champion Charles Penatello
3:00 PM Dance Party

May 15 - Swingman and the Misfit-Mutts Band open for the UNICO fundraiser

Join Swingman at Bliss Lounge in Clifton, NJ for the UNICO fundraiser
UNICO (Unity, Neighborliness, Integrity, Charity, and Opportunity) is an Italian American service organization that engages in charitable works, supports higher education, and performs patriotic deeds.
Swingman and the Misfit-Mutts Band is a swing, rock, rhythm and blues band founded by Fred Astaire Student Ray Grabowski (drummer) and studio owner Carrie Babcock (really just a muse) to provide swing dance entertainment to ballroom dancers, dancers and the community in general. Swingman features the sounds of Chubby Checker, BB King, Etta James and is rich with swings, west-coast, rumbas and cha-chas.
You'll love a night of dancing and entertainment, beginning with Swingman and followed by 5 other bands
Doors open at 4PM
Swingman plays at 5PM Sharp!
DJ and Live Bands all night long
Tickets are $10 through Fred Astaire in Advance, $12 at the door
Proceeds go to UNICO
You don't have to be a dancer or have a partner to love SWINGMAN

May 20 - Upper Montclair Anniversary Ball

Join your fellow students and friends for our Annual Black-Tie Anniversary Ball and Showcase
Early-bird tickets are $65 now through May 14
7pm Champagne Reception
7:30 Showcase
Dancing, Drinks and lite fare following the show
Black-Tie Optional

June 5 Jersey Shore Showdown -

Ocean Place Hotel, Long Branch

Join your friends from the Fred Astaire Dance Studios of NJ for this exciting one-day event. Start the day off with a fun-filled day of competing and end it with a night of dinner and dancing with your favorite amateurs and professionals. At our events, everyone is a winner just by stepping onto the dance floor!

For tickets, entries or information to any of these events, please contact Fred Astaire of Upper Montclair, 604 Valley Road, Upper Montclair, NJ 07043 - 973-783-8999

SWINGMAN AND THE MISFIT-MUTTS BAND - A Fred Astaire Upper Montclair Exclusive!

2011-04-12T13:49:00.000-07:00

CHECK OUT SWINGMAN!
Notice the coupon at the very bottom of the page!

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Fred-Astaire-Dance-Studio-and-Swingman-and-The-Misfit-Mutts-Band.html?soid=1101454919737&aid=JTgpYa9NyAc

Live. Love. Dance.

2011-04-10T06:42:00.000-07:00

Imagine my delight when I saw the cover of the May 2011 O Magazine and saw the words "Live, Love & Thrive". My fabulous and talented web-designer, Kelly DelRosso, owner of Semplice and master-mind behind ShopLocal Montclair gave us the tag line Live. Love. Dance. almost two years ago when we launched our re-designed website.

To me, Live. Love. Dance. nails it on the head. Try to remember the last time you felt like living, really living. As I teen I had the opportunity to play Kim MacAphee in Bye Bye Birdie, who sings a song with Conrad Birdie "A Lotta Livin' To Do"

"there's music to play, places to go, people to see,
everything for you and me
Life's a ball, if only you know it
And it's all just waiting for you
You're alive, so come on and show it
I've got a lot-a-livin to do!"

If you're reading this, you're probably taking dance lessons. That's living! Maybe you've danced in a showcase or a local competition. That's really living! If you've been to a National Competition, you really know how to grab life by the (ahem) ballroom and try new things. Kudos to you!

For me, singing in a new band (Swingman) is living right now. Reading BODY BY GOD which I happened to see in my new chiropractor's office, has been inspiring. Just making one healthier choice today (one piece of bread at dinner last night instead of delighting in 4!) is relatively easy and gives you energy and more self-confidence! Eat more broccoli! Don't buy the chips!

For you, maybe it's your dance lessons, or buying a new costume, this one with lots of stones and feathers, and a bright "look at me" color! Maybe you flirted with the barista this morning while at the coffee shop, or enrolled in night school. Or went for a run for the first time in 20 years. Or went to a bar to hear a live-band play for a date, instead of just dinner and a movie. (Yes, adults go to bars, and not everybody's tipsy or 22! Woot-woot!)

Today, try something new! Get that hot, new shade of fuchsia lipstick and wear it, sign up for Pilates, improve your health, volunteer to walk a foster dog at the shelter, visit a museum, plant corn (not yet), get a facial, cut your hair really short, get a new bag, smell a baby, watch a little-league game. Search your soul for what you loved to do when you were a child. (Sing, dance and twirl). Maybe you're sick of the gym and want to start roller-blading again. Buy a jump-rope. Volunteer to teach reading to kids. Take an art class. Re-read THE RAZOR'S EDGE, memorize a Shakespeare sonnet, dance a tango, whistle. Share your thoughts on what living really is with us below!

You're alive, so come on, show it! Happy Spring! Thrive!

Congratulations, Kudos and Way to Go! Good for You!

2011-03-20T20:03:00.000-07:00

CongratulationsCongratulationsCongratulations to you!

First of all, a belated congratulations to SUSAN FARRUGIA. Susan traveled to Atlantic City with us to compete in the Metropolitan Dance Sport Championships and won the Bronze International Latin Scholarship with Vesko! We couldn't be happier for you Susan! All your hard work, discipline and, need we say it, natural talent payed off! We're so proud. Visit our facebook page at www.facebook.com/uppermontclairfredastaire to view photos!


Susan Farrugia and Vesko Matakov, winners of the Metropolitan Dance Sport Championships Bronze International Latin Scholarships, representing Fred Astaire of Upper Montclair!

Kudso also to Beth and Stephen Ullrich, who also placed in their Bronze American Smooth scholarships, with Betty placing 3rd and Stevie 6th. Way to go team!

Beth and Stephen Ullrich, Scholarship Finalists, 2011 Metropolitan Dance Sport Championships

Congratulations to George and Lanie Hill, winners of our Shamrock Drawing Grand Prize! They bought 5 lessons and got 5 free! How? They came to our St. Patrick's Day Party and gambled on a shamrock! And boy are we thrilled they won! George and Lanie (Dr. and Dr. Hill) have been our students since 1998, when they "won" a gift certificate for dance lessons at an American Cancer Society Fundraiser. You NEVER WANT to miss a party at Fred Astaire! You never know what you could win! Next up, our Anniversary Party!

And a big thank you and congratulations to Ray "Swingman" Grabowski, for making his vision come true. About 2 years ago, Ray started talking to me about forming a band that would cater to ballroom and Latin dancers. Now, 2 years later, Swingman and the Misfit-Mutts band is here. More about the band at a later date, but for now, you can "like" us on Facebook at Facebook.com/SwingmanBand or visit our website at www.SwingmanMMB.com. Congratulations Ray! And check us out April 17 at Bliss Lounge!

And finally, congratulations Fred Astaire Dance Studio of Upper Montclair! We've been ranked #1 in Ballroom Dancing Lessons in New York by Thumbtack.com! If you'd like to see our listing our write a review on how Fred Astaire of Upper Montclair has changed your life, click away! http://www.thumbtack.com/ny/new-york/ballroom-dance-lessons/ or Ballroom dancing instruction

Ballroom Dance - A Natural Antidepressant?

2011-03-06T14:00:00.000-08:00

BALLROOM DANCE YOUR WAY TO BETTER HEALTH

Ballroom Dancing Instruction Can be beneficial to your health! Check out our Benefits, thanks Wordle

I've been a massage junkie for years now, having sampled the spas in hotels all around the country during our competitive years, and settling on my favorite in NJ, Mark at Mountainwall Massage, conveniently located 4 doors down from us on Valley Road. So obviously I'm thrilled to come across the article called "Feeling Good" in the March 2011 Oprah, which helps explain, or, ahem, justify, my need for the regular massage.

"The Cedars-Sinai study is part of a growing body of research that shows a link between many forms of touch - from massage to hand-holding- and improved health."

In the article, on page 108 of this months' Oprah, listed No. 1 on "more ways to incorporate more touch into your day"...."Find a hands-on form of exercise, like ballroom dance........."

Kudos to all you ballroom dance teachers in New Jersey and everywhere, who may be helping boost your student's serotonin, lower their blood pressure as well as creating more fun in their lives!

Click here to read the whole article, and thanks Oprah.
http://www.oprah.com/health/The-Health-Benefits-of-Massage

Metropolitan Dance Sport Championships, Bally's Resort, Atlantic City

2011-03-01T11:28:00.000-08:00

Join us for a fun-filled weekend of dance and entertainment at Bally's Atlantic City

March 10 - 13, 2011 - Join us for weekend like none you have ever experienced before along Atlantic City's beautiful boardwalk.

Enjoy, mix and mingle during this opportunity to meet other Fred Astaire Students, enjoying some great "adult" refreshments and gaming. Atlantic City attractions and activities will entertain and delight you. With antique shops, museums, piers and arcades, casinos and nightclubs, you're certain to discover more than enough places to visit and play at one of the oldest and best boardwalks in the United States.

And then there's the dancing!!!! You’ll have the chance to dance – both competitively and socially - as never before. As a spectator, you’ll witness all levels of dance, from beginners through professionals, and watch some of the finest ballroom and Latin dancing in the world today.

Check in on Thursday Night and join your friends for cocktails or dancing in the casino or bar.
Join your friends from Fred Astaire at our competitions all day Friday and Saturday. Here are your friends that are competing - in our pro-am smooth, Latin, rhythm and show-dance competitions - Beth and Steve, Pete, Tom, Lekha, Erroll, Susan, Bonnie and Mercedes too! What a crowd! Congratulations to all of you! You're already winners! We've got quite a team of supporters going too, and spectator tickets will be available all weekend.

Over the weekend, you will create beautiful memories with existing friends and make new friends in the world of dance while helping you reach your fullest dance potential. You will come away from this event with a feeling of accomplishment and a renewed sense of focus.

Friday 8:00 AM Smooth and Latin

Friday 7:00 PM Professionals, Showcases, Novelty, Solo & Standard

Saturday 8:00 AM American Rhythm

Saturday 7:30 PM Grand Banquet, Awards and Professional Show starring International Latin Phenomenon Roman Kutskky and Anna Kovolova

Don't miss the professional Latin show with one of America's hottest young couples, Roman and Anna. You'll be delighted by their skills and showmanship! Where else can you have this much fun with the best group of people imaginable? Only at Fred Astaire!

Please check out our Competition Checklist, and feel free to post your own additions here if I forgot anything! Watch youtube in the next week for some great warm-up tips and exercises, and check facebook for updates on your friends competition results, and our groups crazy antics!

Practice Makes Better. VID00003

2011-02-20T21:22:00.000-08:00

Practice Makes Better

Practice Makes Better! Emi on youtube.com

I'm sure you don't remember how long it took to learn how to use scissors, tie your shoes, shoot a basket, hit a home-run. But I assure you it took more than one try.

If you're taking lessons right now, try to remember that learning "muscle memory" takes time, even if you're not 2.

In time, with practice, you'll become the dancer that you want to be. Take advantage of our group, private and practice sessions, ask for homework, and come in and practice before your dance lesson starts.

Fred Astaire Dance Studio of Upper Montclair. Teaching people to dance, one day at a time.

Live. Love. Dance. Practice.

Congratulations Kostadin and Erin

2011-02-19T19:50:00.000-08:00

Fred Astaire Dance Studio of Upper Montclair ownerKostadin Bidjourov and Erin Marie, manager, at the Constitution State Championships.

Congratulations to Kostadin Bidjourov and Erin Marie! They recently traveled to Montreal where they won La Classique du Quebec. We couldn't be more proud! Kudos to you both! Next up, Indiana Dance Sport Challenge! Good luck!

Valentine's Day at Fred Astaire

2011-02-09T11:50:00.001-08:00

The Perfect Gift for Valentine's Day
Ballroom Lessons from Fred Astaire

If you're reading this, you must be looking for the perfect gift idea for Valentine's Day. Here's our top 10 Reasons why Dancing Lessons Make the Perfect Gift

You're buying your sweetie a date
It's a gift that creates memories
You'll have your partner as a captive audience
It's suitable for any stage of your relationship - from a first date to a 25th Anniversary
It says "I want to spend time with you."
It's a memorable gift - in a good way. Not like a fruitcake.
It's easy and affordable
It's healthy
It's romantic
It'll probably be the best gift you ever gave.

And if you need more convincing, check out these benefits, thanks to wordle

And lastly, if you're still not convinced, come to our FREE INTRODUCTORY CLASS on Valentine's Day.

Please visit our website or click here for information about our gift certificates starting at $99*
Happy Valentine's Day!

Things to do in Montclair in February

2011-01-31T17:38:00.001-08:00

Live. Love. Dance. February.

Here's what's happening at Fred Astaire of Upper Montclair in February! Hope to see you there!

February 10, 2011
VALENTINE'S DAY PARTY
9:15 - 11:00
$25 Per person
Early bird tickets $20 per person before 2/3

Mondays

Social Foundation Group Classes - 7:45 PM - Designed for the beginning social dancer. If you've had a few lessons and want to learn some steps that will give you continuity and flow on the dance floor, this class is for you. We'll cover waltz, tango, foxtrot, cha-cha, rumba, swing and salsa in this group class format. Students who come to this class have taken more than 5 but >30 private lessons and are on a SOCIAL FOUNDATION PROGRAM

Tuesdays

Beginners International Quickstep & Viennese Waltz with Tim - 8:30 PM - Learn the basics of International Quickstep and Viennese Waltz. It'll help with your social and bronze dancing!

Wednesdays

Kids Ballroom Classes - 7-10 Year Olds - 4:45 PM - If you have a child who's interested in dance, this is the class for them. Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot, Viennese Waltz and Quickstep. Also Rumba, Cha-cha, Jive, Paso Doble and Samba. 6-week courses available.

The Art of Belly Dance – Beginner
Dates: Wednesdays
Time: 7pm – 8pm
Fee: $120 for 8-class card* ($20 per class) / $25 per class for drop-ins
This fun and unique class will give you a solid foundation in the basic techniques of belly dance, as well as the confidence and skills to express yourself and experience your sensuality, fun and playfulness. You will build strength, flexibility, coordination and gracefulness and get a great cardiovascular workout, all in a friendly, safe and supportive environment. Regardless of age or body type, anyone drawn to dance & movement can enjoy this class. Please wear comfortable clothing, similar to what you'd wear for a yoga class (hip scarves will also be available to borrow and for sale).

The Art of Belly Dance – Intermediate
Dates: Wednesdays
Time: 8pm – 9pm
Fee: $120 for 8-class card* ($20 per class) / $25 per class for drop-ins
This continuation on the beginner class will allow you to discover and develop your own personal style and build on the basic techniques of belly dance. We will place more attention to detail regarding self-expression, hand movements, transitions, rhythms and shimmy layering, as well as improvisation. You will also learn basic techniques of dancing with a veil and using zills (finger cymbals). Zills & finger cymbals will be available for purchase and required for the class.
Please call 973-783-8999 to register over the phone. Have a credit card handy! Please arrive at least 10 minutes early to class.

Thursdays

Music for Ardvaarks - 10:00 AM - We offer music classes and parties for little kids where we rock, play, & groove. We also offer guitar and keyboard lessons for older kids, teens, and adults. A typical HARMONIZE class is all about rockin', jammin', singin', dancin', groovin', and playin'. Babies, toddlers, and pre-schoolers "make music their own" in joyful surroundings. The original music featured in a HARMONIZE class is straight from Manhattan - the hip 'n happenin' phenomenon known as Music for Aardvarks & Other Mammals, written by David Weinstone. The Aardvarks experience splashed onto children's TV when NICKELODEON and Nick Jr. discovered Weinstone's music. (See videos from Nick Jr. in our "videos" section.)
Taxi

Zumba TM Fitness Class by Guest Artist Jenn D - 7:30-8:30 PM - Creative, clever and calorie burning, this class is for everyone. Whether you love music and dancing, or you've never danced before and just want to lose a pound or two. You can check out our quick 30-second video to see what it's like. No dance experience necessary. Think of it as aerobics or a cardio-class, but fun. $12 per drop-in or $10 per class for a 6-pack.
It's all about me

Introductory Ballroom Class for New Students - 8:30-9:15 PM - This is your introduction to ballroom dance. If you've never taken a dance class, you'll want to start here. No partner necessary. If you've enrolled on our $99 Introductory Program, this is the class for you!

Free "Practice Party" For Fred Astaire Students - 9:15-10:00 PM - Join us every* Thursday night for our social dancing party. Learn a new dance with our minute-and-a-half samba and salsa lessons, practice your new moves, dance with our instructors and our other students, and have a great time meeting and mingling with our students and staff. We alternate our playlist between a smooth (foxtrot, waltz, tango, quickstep and Viennese waltz) then a latin/rhythm (cha-cha, rumba, swing, jive, hustle, mambo, merengue, paso doble, samba, salsa and bolero). This party is free for our registered and active students. Note * Some Thursdays we don't have a session, if we have an event or banquet that weekend, or if we have a themed party like our VALENTINE'S DAY PARTY on THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10 ($25 CHARGE). Check with Kelley at 973-783-8999 if you plan to attend on a Thursday night!

Friday Nights

Intermediate Bronze Classes with Carrie - 7:45-8:30 PM - If you've had more than 30-40 lessons, this is the class for you. In February we're studying steps 4 and 5 in Advanced Bronze W, FT, T, CC, R and Swing. Call the studio if you think you'd like to join this group class!

International Latin with Vesko - 8:30-9:15 PM - Learn from a champion. Vesko is a 2010 Fred Astaire Professional Latin Champion, and you'll learn Rumba, Jive, Paso, Samba and Cha-cha the right way. For beginners.

Saturdays

Broadway Styles Jazz Class for Adults - 10:00-11:00 AM - Learn from a Broadway Veteran. We'll start in the center in bare-feet with plies, tendus, battements. Then stretch and split, diagonals across the floor, core-work, and of course, musical theater choreography. Read our blog to find out all about it!

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Broadway Styles Dance Class

2011-01-24T22:21:00.000-08:00

Broadway Dance Class West of the Hudson

Upper Montclair, NJ – The Fred Astaire Dance Studio of Upper Montclair NJ announces its latest addition in dancing genres – Musical Theater/Broadway Styles. Led by Broadway veteran Lois Englund, the class will be every Saturday from 10-11 AM.

I've been looking for a place to take class without having to trek to NYC. When I met Lois this fall, I knew the time was right to start our own program. I hope this class will fill the niche for high-quality, professional Theatrical/Broadway dancing for adults in Northern New Jersey. There are few adult classes around Montclair, and they’re all at night, when I’m working or putting the baby to bed. I’m thrilled we could hold a Saturday morning class. I'll be attending the class, but wants to assure you the class is Open to any level. We’ll teach a high standard, but you don’t have to be a professional dancer to attend. Think of it as your community theater. They’ll be some advanced people who’ll get the leading roles, and some new people who just want to have fun and use dance to get fit. Eventually, maybe we’ll divide the class into beginners and intermediate/advanced. But for now, we’ll all dance together.

Lois Englund will be teaching the Musical Theatre Technique class on Saturday Mornings from 10- 11:00 a.m.

Best known for her portrayal as Val in “A Chorus Line” on Broadway, Lois has performed feature roles in over a dozen other Broadway shows including DANCIN, CABARET, SHOWBOAT, CAROUSEL, MAME, and ANNIE. Lois has worked with Hal Prince, Bob Fosse, Michael Bennet, Francoise Szony and Agnes DeMille. In addition to acting, directing and choreographing shows all over the world, Lois has served as Artistic Director for Musical Theatre Works at NYU Tisch School of the Arts. Lois is a certified yoga teacher in Ashtanga, Anusara and Vinyasa.

The 16-week course will be broken into 2 eight-week sessions – January 29 – March 19, and March 26 - May 14. Beginning January 29, the first eight weeks will focus on center work, jazz, and musical theater. The second 8 weeks will focus on one or two Musical Theater Masterpieces that we will perform at the Fred Astaire Anniversary Party in May. Class on January 29 will be your orientation and registration. Registration will be accepted the week before, and starting at 9:30 am Saturday, January 29. RSVP is required. Only cash or checks will be accepted as payment. $18 per drop in or $12 if you pre-pay for the 8-week course. Call 973-783-8999 to RSVP. Reservations are required!

604 Valley Road, Upper Montclair, NJ 07043

Fred Astaire of Upper Montclair

Like us on Facebook!

A Blog About A Blog

2011-01-21T12:20:00.000-08:00

Greetings Dancers and Prospective Dancers,

Yesterday I asked a student if he read my blog. He replied, "What's a blog?" A very common question indeed.

The way we communicate with each other has been revolutionized. Remember the letters from Dear Old Aunt Elsie that your mother used to get, in ancient script, talking about the weather, her arthritis and the price of eggs? When is the last time you got a snail-mail letter? I got a thank you letter from my niece in October, and that's one of the first hand-written letters I've received in.... well, in a long time.

I'd like to briefly update you on why I correspond the way I do, in hopes to edu-tain and perhaps get a few new "subscribers" and "friends" and "followers."

FADS Newsletter and Mass Email
I consider this mass email and my full-color email from Constant Contact to be necessary once a month or so to update students on our plans for the next few months. I'll send a mass email out for cancellations because of snow, emergencies, and a number of other reasons. The Newsletter and Mass email is to get a lot of information to you. Who knows how much you read, but it saves paper and printing fliers and calenders to hand out. I try to keep the newsletters professional and business like.

The Newsletter and Email is sent to you if you gave us your email address. If you received this email but did not receive the constant contact email and would like to, reply with "add me" in the subject line.
Email us at uppermontclair@danceastaire.com if you'd like to receive our Newsletter.

FADS Blog - You're reading it.

http://fadsstudionews.blogspot.com/

A blog (orig. "weblog") is like an on-line journal or diary. Our FADS blogs has topics such as Your New Year's Resolution, Zumba, Our Class Schedule and EVERY DAMN DAY. I use the blog to write about current events in dancing at Fred Astaire, and to provide in-depth information about the benefits of things like group classes and trophy tests. My blog is my op-ed, full of information I think you should know, or keywords that someone searching for information on the world-wide-web might stumble across and link them to DanceAstaire.com. It's also a way of cross-marketing on the internet. It helps link sites back to Fred Astaire.

The blog is news that you probably want to know. Some of it you might like to read if you have 10 extra minutes, instead of sitting in front of the TV.

Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Fred-Astaire-Dance-Studio-of-Upper-Montclair-NJ/193388519120?ref=ts

Facebook is a social networking site that allows users to find people they know who are also users on facebook. I've found friends I never thought I'd see or speak to again. As a business, I use our Fred Astaire Facebook page to announce winners from competitions, snow-closings, or that I have a new blog. Facebook "Status Updates" are usually one liners. We can upload videos or pictures from Trophy Balls and Competitions, Showcases and Parties. It's also where we promote our students and their accomplishments, like Dr. Hill, who's book about EDISON is now available on Amazon. "Friend Us" on Facebook for bi-weekly updates, one-liners and to look through our virtual scrapbook.

Twitter
https://twitter.com/FredAstaireUPMT
To tweet, or not to tweet. Frankly, I think Twitter is a California thing, but I have our Twitter account linked to our Facebook posts. For me, Twitter is a one-liner. "Sit up straight and breath, and practice your dance position." "Studio will be closed at 5PM today due to snow." "Louis Van Amstel will be here.....", "Thanks Jen, for an amazing Zumba Class." "Follow Us" on Twitter.

In short, a Newsletter is a letter, a Blog is a journal, Facebook is a bulletin board and Twitter is a post-it.

Here's what you do. "Subscribe" to our blog, "Friend Us" on Facebook and "Follow Us" on Twitter.

I'll be looking at our google-analytics to see if you did. (Ask me in person.......)

Your New "New Year's Resolution" Ballroom Dancing

2011-01-12T12:14:00.000-08:00

re~solve
How many of us have come up with a new "New Year's Resolution"? How many articles have you read for inspiration, related to and thought - "Oprah has a clear understanding of how I feel?" only to forget, in a week, that you read the article and, only a short-time ago, were so inspired?

So, here's the tie-in. Ballroom dancing lessons satisfies quite a number of birds on the NYR list, and it's just one, big, glitzy, glamorous [rhine]stone as the tool!

Here's a few links to the google search TOP TEN NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS. Hat's off to the authors and publishers. I'm going to ** the ballroom related resolutions in RED!

(from http://pittsburgh.about.com/od/holidays/tp/resolutions.htm)

1**. Spend More Time with Family & Friends

2**. Fit in Fitness

3**. Tame the Bulge

4.** Quit Smoking

5.** Enjoy Life More

6.** Quit Drinking

7. Get Out of Debt

8.** Learn Something New

9. **Help Others

10. **Get Organized

http://www.squidoo.com/top-10-resolutions

And, lest you think I wouldn't pontificate the reasons, here I will authoritatively and arrogantly try to prove these unprovable associations.

1. Spend More Time with Family and Friends.
If you have a partner or spouse, you will certainly spend more time with them if you're taking ballroom dancing lessons together. The key word here is together. Your partner has to do it too! Typically, you'll come to your lessons together a few times a week. Ideally, you'll come once for a private lesson, once for a group class and once for a practice session. Don't freak out. Nobody starts out coming to their dance studio 3-times a week. But many couples end up dancing 3-times a week or more. Goal accomplished. You're spending more time together, and you're inviting fun and enjoyment to the equation!

At Fred Astaire, many of our student make new friends at the studio. Your studio friends become some of the best friends you'll ever meet. Many of our students, who met at the studio, travel together, go out to dinner together, have house-parties so they can invite their new friends. It's an amazing social vehicle. You're meeting people and spending time with people who have similar interests, goals and tastes. It's really delightful. (And as a studio owner, one of the more rewarding parts of my job.)

2. Fit in Fitness
According to calorie count, slow ballroom dancing burns 204 calories an hour, and dancing fast burns 374.
Although ballroom alone may not be a "fitness routine" but we can arrange it that your 40-minute lesson is all muscle, sweat and high-impact. And being around dozens of dancers, setting goals for yourself, (like entering your first competition or show-routine), will certainly inspire you to stay on track with your fitness goals. When you decide you're going to wear a dress like this in 6 months, adding 2 planks-a-day to your busy schedule suddenly become easy. And urgent!

3. Tame the Bulge.
Here's an insider secret. Your ballroom teacher likes you and wants to see you succeed. Most of us teach ballroom because we like people, we like to dance, and we like to teach other people how wonderful ballroom is for you. If you tell your teacher one of your goals is to tame the bulge, your teacher may have some exercises to help you get on track. Take note - is your teacher physically fit? Do they compete? Then they're probably an athlete. Save on the personal trainer. Have your teacher help you!

Second point, at some point in your career, your teacher is going to put their hands on your love-handles. If you don't tame the bulge for yourself, do it for your teachers! If you're dancing long enough, we'll probably also touch your cheeky-thighs, your back-fat and your flesh-curtains (the jiggly-bits above your elbows). That's surely motivation enough to keep you on track!

4. Quit Smoking
Ok, here's the deal. If you want to quit smoking, go to a place full of healthy people where you have to hold them at arms-length or closer. They will smell you. And you reek. Also, it occupies your time. Want a cigarette? Practice your rumba first. Still want one? Practice your tango. And lastly, you want to go to a dance party and dance for an hour straight, but one cha-cha makes you winded? Time to heal your lungs!

5. Enjoy Life More.
Ballroom dancing is enriching, rewarding, beneficial, essential, fun, challenging, athletic, artistic, beautiful and enjoyable. Stick with it. You'll find more pleasure in life.

6. Quit Drinking.
When do you drink? After work? Well, Monday you have a dance lesson at 6:15 pm to relax you. Tuesday you decided to meet up with that couple from your Friday-night tango class and go to the movies. Thursday you have your ballroom studio's practice-party and Friday you have your group tango class. You just eliminated 4-nights a week of drinking. And you're certainly not going to attempt to DWI, are you (Dancing while intoxicated?) We thought not. By Saturday you'll have broken the 2-drink-a-night habit. And you'll discover you don't need a drink to relax and have fun at parties. You can dance!

7. Learn Something New.
Really? foxtrot, waltz, tango, Cha-cha, rumba, swing, samba, mambo, merengue, quickstep, Viennese waltz, bolero, salsa, jive, paso-doble................

8. Help others
Maybe a stretch. You'll be helping our number one platform SAVE THE TOES! You'll be helping your partner become more graceful, poised, confident. You'll be showing your children that you're committed to bettering yourself. Your studio will gladly donate to your 5k for charity, tricky tray or cancer-society. They may even host a party for your charity. Use your imagination!

9. Get organized.
Now that you have activities planned for 3-4 nights a week, and you have 6 goals set for the year (Party in February, showcase in April, competitions in May, August and November, Holiday party routine), you'll be juggling your schedule around your ballroom events. You'll hire a babysitter weeks in advance, leave work on time, finish your to-do lists early and get off facebook, all because you have such a wonderful hobby that is helping to keep you motivated and on track. You may even organize your closet more often!

10. Travel more.
Most studios go to 3-8 competitions a year. You'll travel with your teachers and ballroom friends. You'll go to NYC, Boston, Tampa, Vegas, Orange County, Orlando, Ohio. You might even travel to England, Russia, Venice or Argentina! We have competitions in Costa Rica, the Bahamas, California, NY, Paris. Learn the Viennese Waltz and go to Vienna for New Years!

So in January 2012, don't beat yourself up again for resolving to resolve something. Make ballroom dancing part of your life, and you'll be happy that you did.

For information on Ballroom lesson in Upper Montclair, please click here! or visit our website at www.DanceAstaire.com

For ballroom dancing lessons outside of Montclair, NJ, please visit our National website at www.FredAstaire.com

If you agree, please like us on Facebook and share us!

Holiday Ball and Showcase

2010-12-16T11:20:00.001-08:00

Do you love DANCING WITH THE STARS, Broadway or any other live performances? Join us Friday, December 17 for our annual FRED ASTAIRE OF UPPER MONTCLAIR HOLIDAY BALL AND SHOWCASE!

Holiday Ball and Showcase
Friday, December 17, 2010
7:30 PM Champagne Reception
8:00 PM Showcase
9:30 PM Dancing and Light Fare by TIA'S FOOD OF LOVE

Tickets available today and tomorrow for only $75!

2010-10-19T07:33:00.000-07:00

The Best Gift Ever
Gift ideas for Montclair, NJ and The Surrounding Universe

by Carrie Babcock,
Business-owner , mother, wife, daughter, sister, dancer, actor, singer, US Champion, amateur photographer, gardener.

Every year around gift giving time, I google search "great gifts for Dads" or "best gift ideas for my husband" or "gift ideas, Montclair, NJ". You see, I am the owner of the Fred Astaire Dance Studio of Upper Montclair, and all my friends and family already know how to dance, so I have to come up with ideas for gifts for them. For them, it's the quest for the perfect tie, cologne, pot or pan, candle, massage or other gift. Again. And it's boring me!
Why Ballroom Dancing Lessons Make a Great Gift

If you're like me, you want to buy something special for your parents or sisters, loved ones or friends. Tastes are difficult to guess, fashions come and go, some people won't wear cashmere. Dancing lessons have benefits that suit everyone.

Ballroom dancing changes lives.

I know it sounds corny or cliche, and pitchy at best, but it's true. Don't believe me? I googled it! And 159,000,000 entries came up. That's an astounding number.

Advanced Search

WebHide optionsShow options...

Results 1 - 10 of about 159,000,000 for how dancing changed my life. (0.41 seconds)

Search Results

How Dance Has Changed My Life | Suite101.com
How my love for dance helped me to achieve my academic goals.
www.suite101.com/article.cfm/dance_stage.../67525 - Cached - Similar

How could it be there are 159,000,000 search results for "HOW DANCING CHANGED MY LIFE"?

Well, for me it's easy. I'm a dancer and a teacher. I see it every day. I've seen it every day since I started choreographing community theater for the Dansville Rotary Club production of DAMN YANKEES in 1983 or 1984.

While your reading the descriptions below, think Zen, think health....

Connection
Dancing, specifically, ballroom dancing, allows you to connect with another human being. Physically and mentally. Even if you don't have a partner, you connect with your teacher. And if you're like half the people who take lessons for the first time, you return, week after week. Connecting with your teachers, with your new friends at the studio. Weekly, For years. There are books out there about the innate desire for humans to have a human experience, searching for that connection. (Hey, if they don't want dance lessons, that book would make a great gift!)

New Friends
Once you've established yourself as a fixture at your studio, you make new friends. You see the same people week after week, and one day you strike up a conversation about art, politics, kids, tango, the merits of your teacher, and BAM, the next thing you know you're having monthly dinner outings with your new-found friends. And often your new friends trump your old friends. Sorry old friends. That's just the way it goes.

Therapy
Ok, so we're not therapists, we dance teachers, but you'd have to convince some students that we aren't at least as good as their life-coach or yoga teacher. Weekly Ballroom lessons get your mind off your troubles. Period. And your dance teachers now know about your sick dog, your aging dentist, your doctor who retired, the cancer scare, your kids' report card and your shingles. And we care. And we'll remember. And for 40 minutes or so, you'll forget.

Exercise
Whether you could get a gig on THE BIGGEST LOSER and can barely walk a mile, or you're a gym enthusiast looking for the next fitness craze, ballroom can be great exercise. Compare a foxtrot and a salsa. Anyone can do it. And everyone can benefit. Dancing burns calories. Watch the magazines this holiday season. "How to burn off the holiday weight" I guarantee you'll find at least 5 mentions of some form of ballroom for cardio.

Stress Relief
I could explain the benefits of physical exercise and the rise of endorphins, seratonin levels, etc. But if you've read this far you probably understand all that.

Ok, now, if you want to read more about the benefits of ballroom, do your own google search. Now I'll just list some more, otherwise I'll start thinking I'm an author too!

What to Buy
If you purchase an Introductory Program as a gift, your friend, parent or loved one will get a chance to explore the world of ballroom dance in just a few short weeks, and they can make a decision for themselves if they'd like to continue. At the Fred Astaire of Upper Montclair, our Introductory Program is 2 private lessons and 1 group class, and it's only $99.

It's not Cheap
If it's a really special occasion, like a 25th or 50th anniversary gift, a gift for your spouse,
or a wedding gift for your best friend, perhaps you'd like to spend a little more. For only $360, you can give your friends 5 private lessons. That's like the gift of 5 personal training sessions. Yes, ballroom dance is a luxury gift. Your friends will think you have great taste!

If you'd like to talk about the perfect gift for your loved one, feel free to give us a call at 973-783-8999 Monday-Friday from 1-10PM. Or send an email to uppermontclair@danceastaire.com. If you don't live near Montclair, NJ, visit www.FredAstaire.com for the studio location nearest you.

Still not convinced that ballroom dancing lessons make the best gift you can give? Go ahead. Find a tie. I heard Macy's was having a 0ne-day sale.

Build stamina Increase opportunities to go out dancing Improve your poise, posture Improved self-confidence Overall self improvement Use your competitive routines to social dance at parties and practice parties Improves focus Combat fatigue You’ll probably stick to your diet or exercise program, knowing you have a dance lesson coming up Earn respect from your peers Turn dancing into a passion Because you love to dance Improve your self-esteem Develop memories that will last a lifetime Give your grandchildren, neighbors, friends a great story Improve muscle tone Meet people who love what you love Reduce stress Increase energy Stimulate your mind, like sudoku or cross-word puzzles Develop circulatory system Reduce heart rate

What's Happening @ Fred Astaire - October

2010-09-30T08:45:00.002-07:00

Seems like September didn't happen! I know it did, but here we are moving swiftly into October. We hope you can join us for some of these upcoming events!

ZumbaTM Fitness Classes - Our new 6-week session starts tonight! Join certified Zumba instructor Jenn D to get it in gear and burn some serious calories! 6-weeks pre-pay for $60 or $12 per drop in. Thursday nights at 7:30 PM (Don't know what Zumba is? Click here for our Zumba blog or here for the Zumba website.
Practice Session Tonight @ 9:15 PM
No Practice Next Thursday - October 7
Dress Rehearsal Thursday October 7 - This is a closed rehearsal with no spectators
TRIBUTE TO THE STARS - Join NJ Fred Astaire Dancers as they perform on-stage at the Bergen Tech Theater - Show starts @ 7:30 PM. See your dancing friends for discount tickets!
LEE DENIM DAY - October 4-8 it's Denim Week. Wear jeans to your lesson and we'll ask for a $5 contribution to Lee Jeans Drive for Breast Cancer. Click here for Lee's Denim Day Site.
NEW BRONZE CLASSES - Beginning Friday, October 15 @ 7:45 an in depth look at the Advanced Bronze Curriculum. Every Friday at 7:45 all Bronze Level Students are welcome. Singles and couples! You don't want to miss it!
October 28 - Fred Astaires' Annual Halloween Costume Party - $25 Tickets on Sale Now
Just a reminder - our Annual Holiday Ball and Showcase will be December 17. Mark your calendar now!

What

2010-09-30T08:45:00.001-07:00

Tribute To The Stars - Fred Astaire New Jersey

2010-09-21T20:00:00.000-07:00

Come see the Fred Astaire Regional Showcase “Tribute to the Stars” on Saturday, October 9, 2010! The show is being held at the beautiful Bergen Academies Theater located at 200 Hackensack Ave, Hackensack, NJ 07601. The show starts at 7:30 PM and the doors open at 7 PM. Best part is, tickets for this spectacular event are still on sale! Contact Kelley at 973-783-8999 to purchase your tickets. I can guarantee you won’t want to miss this performance!

Need Directions! Here's what we got from MAPQUEST

From: 604 Valley Rd, Upper Montclair, NJ 07043-1420 US
To: 200 Hackensack Ave, Hackensack, NJ 07601-6110 US

DRIVING DIRECTIONS
--------------------------------------------------
A) 604 Valley Rd, Upper Montclair, NJ 07043-1420 US
--------------------------------------------------
1. Start out going NORTHEAST on VALLEY RD/CR-621 toward LORRAINE AVE. (go 2.2 miles)
2. Merge onto US-46 E toward G. WASHINGTON BR.. (go 1.2 miles)
3. Merge onto GARDEN STATE PKWY N (Portions toll). (go 5.9 miles)
4. Merge onto NJ-4 E via EXIT 161 toward PARAMUS. (go 0.6 miles)
5. Stay STRAIGHT to go onto NJ-4 E. (go 2.3 miles)
6. Take the HACKENSACK AVE. SOUTH ramp. (go 0.2 miles)
7. Merge onto CR-503 S/HACKENSACK AVE. (go 0.2 miles)
8. 200 HACKENSACK AVE is on the LEFT. (go 0.0 miles)
--------------------------------------------------
B) 200 Hackensack Ave, Hackensack, NJ 07601-6110 US
--------------------------------------------------
TOTAL ESTIMATED TIME: 21 minutes | DISTANCE: 12.56 miles

2010-08-24T10:44:00.000-07:00

Everybody Dance Now!

At Fred Astaire Dance Studio of Upper Montclair, we're initiating a sort of Every Damn Day Campaign thanks to Nike. I wish we had their advertising firm! It's a new slogan they have (I have the T-Shirt), and it's an amazingly inspirational slogan for me. We'll call it EVERY SINGLE DAY. Or FRED ASTAIRES' FIT FOR FIVE! Five days of dancing, five days of fitness! Since you have to exercise every single day, why not choose something from our FIT FOR FIVE schedule? Choose one of these classes as a supplement to your private lessons, and an alternative to your gym.

Monday 6:15 PM - Yoga with Stacy Lyons** - Who couldn't use an hour on a Monday night to relax, stretch, twist, strengthen, burn and meditate? The benefits of yoga can be as rewarding as a massage, as relaxing as a nice glass of Merlot. Stacy's class is both relaxing and invigorating, and a great way to kick-off your week! If you're looking for yoga in Montclair, Fred Astaire has it!
Monday 7:45 PM - Bronze Routines - If you're looking to strengthen your social dancing skills and need help remembering your dance steps from your private dancing lessons, you'll want to take our Bronze Routines class. Whether you're getting ready for a competition and need to practice your best moves, or your bronze dancing is on hold while you prepare for your Holiday showcase, this class has something for everyone. You'll brush up on some social foundations steps, learn some advanced bronze moves and put them together in a routine that you'll review weekly. Every week we'll review last weeks' group class, and choose a new dance. This week you might have a cha-cha lesson and review a tango. Next week might be a waltz and a rumba, and a quick review of your cha-cha. If you're on a BRONZE program, this class is for you! Best of all, you can use these routines for your next competition or at the practice party!

Monday 9:15 Ladies' Night - Join our rockin' divas for this ladies only performance group. New sessions start in January and June, 2011

Tuesday Rush-Hour Latin Club Classes** - 8 weeks of Group Classes beginning September 28 @ 6:15, with a private lesson included for you to brush up on your lead and follow skills. Learn to club salsa, mambo, merengue and bachata, plus brush up on your Latin Love dance, the Bolero!

Tuesday 7:45 - Social Foundation Group Dance - Learn the basics of Foxtrot, Waltz, Cha-Cha, Rumba, Swing and Salsa in this group dance class format. You'll learn the patterns, arms and basic footwork, as well as when to lead and follow up to 5 basic figures in each dance. This class is for an intermediate beginning ballroom dancer. If you've had more than 5 but less than 30 lessons, this dance class is especially for you.

Wednesday Night Belly Dancing - Discover the Ancient Art of Belly Dancing** 7:00 PM Beginners Class and 8:00 PM Intermediate Led Valerie Paik, Montclair has the good fortune of experiencing Belly Dancing Classes with a truly elegant spirit. Val's classes will inspire your femininity, release inhibitions and help develop flexibility and strength in your lower back and abdominals. Belly dancing is a wonderful alternative to your regular work out.

Wednesday Night Group Dance Class - Whether you want to participate with New Jersey Regional Showcase TRIBUTE TO THE STARS in a group number, or you just want to learn a fun, ballroom based free-style routine, check-out our TRIBUTE group class. Not only will this group dance be a fun way to express yourself, but it's a great form of exercise, it'll enhance your cha-cha, and you can add another night of dancing to your fitness routine and spend another evening with your Fred Astaire Friends.

Thursday Night Zumba 7:30 PM** - Zoom, zoom, Zumba your way to a fitter you. This is the class that jump-started my own personal FIT FOR FIVE quest. Join us for this high-energy, calorie burning, high-kickin', Latin Rhythm cardio-dance class. Led by certified Zumba fitness instructor JennD, (Jennifer Donayre), we're sure you'll love it and make it part of your regular fitness regime. Read my Zumb a blog I just had to write after my first class!

Thursday Night Introduction to Ballroom - 8:30 PM- This is the class for all you newcomers. Learn the basic elements that make up all the ballroom and Latin dances, and get out on the dance floor in no time. If you have friends that you think might like to try dance lessons at Fred Astaire, this is the class to tell them about. Fast, easy and fun! No experience or partner necessary! Aimed at the "two left-feet" crowd. Read more about our Introductory Special.

Thursday Night Practice Party - 9:15 PM- This is where you get to try out all your fancy new dance moves on the floor in a party atmosphere. Every Thursday @ 9:15 PM, we play all your favorite ballroom, Latin, and salsa songs, and we're there to dance with you, guide you, and introduce you to all the other students and teachers at Fred Astaire. This PARTY is always free to our active and registered students, and is the fastest way for you to improve your social dancing! Make it your priority for the week. (Check the studio weekly to make sure it's on the schedule for the week. Sometimes Thursdays are cancelled, sometimes we have a theme or a party.

Friday Night Tribute Class - Friday @ 7:00 PM- Can't come on Wednesdays? Join us on Fridays instead for our TRIBUTE TO THE STARS group class. Can't perform on October 9th, or you just don't want to? No problem. You can take the class just for fun! Come to one, five or 20 classes. It's up to you. You don't have to take all the classes if you feel you've learned the routine. Ask your teacher if you're ready, then come again to the last class in September before we perform with the rest of NJ in our TRIBUTE TO THE STARS Showcase, on October 9.

Latin Classes - Friday @ 8:30 PM - Can't get enough of the rumba, cha-cha or swing? Study International Latin Dancing with Vesko on Fridays @ 8:30. He'll take you through step-by-step the basics of International Rumba, Cha-Cha, and eventually Samba, Paso and Jive. A must for every serious dancer!

We hope your ballroom lessons are enough to keep you motivated to stay on track with your fitness goals, your healthier lifestyle choices or your desire to stay active. And remember the early bird - you could schedule your private lessons before or after any of these classes, or alternate a class day with a private day, and make Thursdays your fourth or fifth day! But do it now before all your friends snatch up the time slots! Watch for group changes or additions monthly. Now, I have to go get changed for my Zumba class.......

Cheers! Strictly Come Dancing!

2010-08-11T14:07:00.000-07:00

NEW TEACHER IN TOWN

Fred Astaire Dance Studio of Upper Montclair welcomes 10-Dance Phenomenon Timothy Emmott to the studio. For those of you who haven't met him yet, you'll want to be sure to come to Thursday's GREAT BRITAIN aka ENGLAND aka LONDON themed practice!

Here's our interview! (Editor's note, be sure to feign your best "bri-ish" accent during Tim's answers to get a "propah" feel for him!

CB:When did you start dancing and why?
TE:When I was seven and I started after an argument with my sister and she said I couldn't do it. I wanted to prove I was better then her.
(editor's note: Tim's HIGHLY COMPETITIVE. For any of you students who want to WIN....Win with Tim)

CB: How many times have you competed at Blackpool?
TE: Numerous times

CB: Which do you prefer, standard or Latin?
TE: Depends on how well my lesson has gone, but at the moment, I'm leaning towards Standard but yesterday it was Latin. (CB, yes, yesterday he did say Latin!)

CB: What do you think of our American Smooth?
TE: I like American Smooth. I can't wait to get started with it. I've only done a little so far, but what I've done, I really enjoy.

CB: How many partners have you had?
TE: 2

CB: What's most important to you as a dancer?
TE: Passion

CB: As a teacher?
TE: Communication and understanding

Editor's note : Remember the above questions are about DANCING PARTNERS! Ahem!

CB:Ricardo, Franco or Slavik? ( you don't have to answer that)
TE: Riccardo, but Bryan Watson will always be my idol. (click the names to youtube their jives)

CB: Best standard couple ever?
TE: Marcus and Karen Hilton without a shadow of a doubt (click to see their Foxtrot)
but I'm a huge fan of William Pino & Alessandra Bucciarelli (click to watch the Tango masters!)
(CB -Kostadin and I had the honor of seeing this Foxtrot at a competition in NY back in 2000 or so! O.M.Gaaaaaa!)

CB: What do you like so far about the good ole US of A?
TE: The people are all really friendly and welcoming.

Things I like about Tim already

He's spontaneous. I asked Tim if he wanted to move to the US and work for us and he said sure - why not!
He's experienced! He's already a good dancer! He has helped out 2 of my students during their lessons with great information. The Brit's have amazing training!
He's kind! He's great with Emi and I'd hire him as a manny if he wasn't already a great dancer!
He's a soccer fan. But he calls it football. Double surprise!
He's inspiring us to stay on our fitness tracks EVERY D@MN DAY!
He's very quick. Both witted and dancing! He's learned the Social Foundation in 3 days!
He has one of the best accents in the world!

Thursday, August 11, Wear your British Gear and help us Welcome Timothy Emmott, the newest and most English member of our Team!!

Calling All Wedding Couples

2010-08-07T05:26:00.001-07:00

First Dance Wedding Dance Craze

There's a new trend in wedding dance lessons, and we're quite excited about it! More and more, brides and grooms are bustin' a move on the dance floor, surprising and entertaining their guests with their own stamp on their wedding first dance.

If you're planning your wedding, your first dance is likely to be the last detail to cross your mind. I'm not a wedding planner, but for my wedding plans it was: date, venue, dress, guests, flowers, cake, then the smaller details like time of day, invitations, etc. On your wedding check list, where do dance lessons fall?

Here's a few questions that will help you decide how, when and where to take your dance lessons for your upcoming first steps together.

Who are you? If you're traditionally the last man standing in beer-pong, you're the life of the party. Do you want to make'em laugh with "Bust a Move" or put on a show with an out of character, elegant Waltz, pulling off your best Clark Gable?

Do you have a song or artist that you love? If you're a Beatles fan, you could have some friends mix-up "The Long and Winding Road" to "Twist and Shout" to "In My Life" to "Help", "Come Together" and end it with "And I Love Her". If BREAKFAST AT TIFFANYS is your favorite movie, "Moon River"is a perfect waltz!

Do you have a favorite dance? Any worthwhile dance teacher ought to be able to teach you your favorite dance, whether it's a swing to "Rockin' Robbin" or MJ's "Thriller"

Do you have a signature move? Show us! We'll put it in. MC Hammer, moonwalk, fist-pump? What ever it is, you should feature it.

Did you star in your High School Musical? Please let us know! We will turn you back into that leading lady with lifts and bows and fancy-dancy moves!

Do you have two-left feet and REALLY don't want to do a first dance? Tell us that too, we'll make it REALLY EASY for you to learn to dance and practice, so you look comfortable and confident on the dance floor.

Is your wedding party game? Involve them in the process! We can teach you a formation foxtrot or teach them all the cha-cha slide. Or the electric slide if you know what that is!

Wedding First Dance Specialists at Fred Astaire in Upper Montclair, NJ

How long do you have? Realistically, you're not going to learn anything in 2 days. Give your teachers and yourself enough time to really learn whatever it is that you're going to dance.

Don't expect miracles. If you've never taken ballroom lessons before, there's a small window of basic training where everything is a blur. "Left foot, frame, 5678, Promenade, chin up, elbows strong, heel-lead, U/A turn, HUH! " Be patient with yourself and each other. After about 5 hours (whether that's lessons or 5 hours of practice time logged), you'll start to feel more natural. If you only HAVE 5 hours, KISS (Keep it Simple, silly!) Your teacher should ONLY GIVE YOU the amount of material that you can handle in the amount of time you have

Be honest and up front - if you're not going to take more than 2 lessons, tell your teachers at the beginning so they don't waste your time or theirs trying to teach you material that you don't have time to master. We can still help you improve your over-all look and feel on the dance floor. And see above!

At The Fred Astaire of Upper Montclair, we teach dozens of wedding couples a month. The average couple takes about 20 lessons. That means some people take lessons for a year (50 lessons before their wedding) and some couples only take 2-7 lessons, just enough to learn a clutch and sway and a basic Foxtrot or Waltz move to keep them moving. Whatever you choose, our main objective is to make you look good doing what you're doing. If you're doing the chicken, you're really going to ham it up. (I admit, that was a clunker.)

Here's a little something about my favorite wedding couples:

Father Daughter Dance Lessons At Fred Astaire Upper Montclair, NJ

M and B - Shania Twain "From This Moment". Mike was an architect and they took lessons for a year. He memorized the whole routine, the whole song from beginning to end, the angles, the alignments and amount of turn and did a perfect dance. (Read Mike's Testimony and click READ MORE FROM OUR STUDENTS)

P and J - "September" - Started out as a traditional "clutch and sway" and turned into a disco hustle, complete with the "bus-stop" and P even "reeled her in" so fun!
C and F - "Comparisita" - A proper tango with fans and ochos, 2 lifts including one over-head. They danced it on the beach

Runner up - Daddy brought his oldest daughter for a James Taylor father-daughter "How Sweet It Is", then 5 years later brought his next daughter, then his next daughter and finally 2 years ago came in for his 2nd marriage. I taught him on and off for 10 years!!!! I love that!

Here's a fun video I found to give you an idea of what's out there. But remember, we can give you simple, easy, romantic too. It's all up to you and your partner!

And one that took on a life of its' own.
http://www.jkweddingdance.com/
If I could give program credits to the choreographers, I would. Clearly they're worthy ballroom dance teachers in your area.

If you want to learn to dance, call us! If you're not near us, we'll help you find someone qualified in your area! Or visit http://www.fredastaire.com/ for a Fred Astaire in your state!

Remember! Put your best foot forward, give yourself time and let your personality shine through. It's your day. Your wedding dance lessons should be as memorable as your wedding day.
If you're getting married in NJ, here's a few of my favorite wedding related businesses in the area. This is unsolicited from them, and they don't pay for advertising on my site. Just thought I'd throw in a few props!
We were lucky to have Mamma Mary from Carlos Bakery in Hoboken as a student years ago, so when it came time for our wedding, we went there. That was before Cake Boss and Oprah! Luck us! http://www.carlosbakery.co m /

We got Emi's first birthday cake there too!!

Holly at BARBARA ECLECTIC on Valley Road will make you feel like a million bucks in whatever you try on. Rehearsal dinner clothes that'll make you feel pretty and young! She's the best in town, and she has shoes and jewelry and party dresses too!

We love Le Baker's Dozen. Located a block away from the studio on Bellevue Ave in Upper Montclair, their cupcakes are delightful and the cake they made for my daughter's second birthday was the most delicious cake I've ever tasted! Try their scones!

And finally, for registering or wedding gifts, visit:

National Dance Day at Fred Astaire Upper Montclair

2010-07-22T21:59:00.001-07:00

Get Excited for
National Dance Day @ Fred Astaire
Featuring Free Lessons

Here's our press-release! Hope you can join us!

July 31 - Fred Astaire Dance Studio, 604 Valley Road, Upper Montclair

NATIONAL DANCE DAY is a grassroots initiative that encourages the nation, young and old, to move! The expressive and creative quality of dance causes individuals, families, organizations and communities to gather together in celebration. Fred Astaire of Upper Montclair is offering classes in various styles of dance to join in the national celebration.

“I knew this was going to be big, and it’s about time we came together as a community to promote health and wellness through dance,” says Carrie Babcock, owner of the Fred Astaire Dance Studio on Valley Road and herself a life-long dancer.

On Saturday, July 31, dancers from Fred Astaire, along with Zumba class instructor Jennifer Donayre, and Certified Movement Analyst Kelley Blessing, will migrate to the Fred Astaire Dance Studio to continue to generate national awareness for dance. This medium of expression and storytelling which can be seen through shows like SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE (FOX-TV), has proven its value in bringing individuals from all walks of life together through a positive platform that has no boundaries and cultivates imagination and passion. Most importantly, National Dance Day is intended to promote health and wellness nationwide.

“We intend to show people of all ages and sizes that dancing can be easy and is fun,” says Babcock, “not to mention one of the best forms of exercise a body can do!”

The Fred Astaire Dance Studio recently had Louis Van Amstel, pro-dancer from ABC-TV’s DANCING WITH THE STARS and Emmy-nominated choreographer of FOX-TV’s SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE kick off the National Dance Day promotion with his cardio-ballroom fitness class LOUIS’ DANCE BLAST. “The blast was not-only blasting 600 or more calories, but having a blast doing so. We had over 40 people in one cardio-class, and that was with only one-weeks p.r,” Babcock states. “Paired with First Lady Michelle Obamas’ anti-obesity campaign and hit shows like DANCE YOU’RE A#* OFF and LOSING IT WITH JILLIAN MICHAELS, National Dance Day is right on time. We need to collectively start making healthier choices, and amp up our fitness routines.”

All classes are 30 minutes in length, and intended for you to be able to start and end the day with us. All classes are free.

10:30 AM Family Salsa—Bring your whole family (including the kids and grandparents!) for this family inclusive introduction to salsa dancing. No Experience Necessary!

11:15 NappyTabs SYTYCD Hip-Hop Class with Erin or Ballet and Movement Dynamics with Carrie and Kelley—Ever want to dance like the stars on “So You Think You Can Dance?” Well, here’s your chance to learn a Hip Hop routine from the show! See the video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKUyp1GMQVg If Hip Hop is not your style, explore the elegance of Beginning Ballet and Laban based Movement Dynamics. This class will include basic ballet moves, some barre work, stretching and movement awareness exercises. Best part? No Experience Necessary for either class!

12 PM Zumba Class (45 minutes) with Jennifer Donayre — Get your groove on with this Latin and Hip-Ho p inspired workout class! Have fun while toning your body. Ditch the workout, join the party! No Experience Needed!

Space is limited, so call the studio at 973-783-8999 to R.S.V.P. Log on to www.DanceAstaire.com for more information. 604 Valley Road, Upper Montclair. 973-783-8999

For updates, follow us on Facebook!

Louis' Dance Blast and Zumba Fitness Class in the Same Night!

2010-07-22T21:59:00.000-07:00

Dancing With The Stars Right Here in Upper Montclair!

2010-07-14T20:28:00.000-07:00

TV PERSONALITY COMING TO FADS

With FOX-TV'S Smash hit "SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE" and the success of ABC-TV'S "DANCING WITH THE STARS", ballroom dancing has never been bigger.

Twelve-time champion, Emmy nominated personality of DANCING WITH THE STARS and SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE, Louis Van Amstel, will visit the Fred Astaire Dance Studio of Upper Montclair to teach his famous cardio-ballroom class, “Louis’ Dance Blast.” Visit http://www.danceastaire.com for details!

Aimed at men and women who want to lose weight or just feel better about themselves, Louis is teaching others, just like he taught the stars on DWTS and the dancers of FOX-TV’s smash hit SYTYCD. “You don’t have to be famous to get into healthy rhythms,” he recently said. Dance Blast is not your typical dance class. It’s based on a cardio workout, and no partner is required. “It’s a great way to get your stress out,” he explained.

Louis created the program after helping his Season 9 partner Kelly Osbourne lose weight during the season. His one-time “Dancing With the Stars” partner, Lisa Rinna is a big fan of Dance Blast, and even Cindy Crawford has shown up for class.

This class is for everyone, non-dancers and dancers alike. You don't need any dance training to enjoy the health benefits of Louis' Dance Blast. We have so many students who are Louis fans, or fans of the shows. I'm excited to open the class up to the public and have them see how ballroom and cardio can fit hand-in-hand. We're thrilled to have Louis at the studio on July 22! All the students are talking about it and totally buzzing! If you've ever taken a Jazzercise or Zumba class but missed the ballroom aspect of dance in the class, you're going to love it. Fred Astaire Dance Studio of Upper Montclair is best known for it's ballroom and Latin dance instruction in Montclair, NJ, but they've expanded their services to include Yoga, Belly Dancing, Zumba and more. No other studio in Montclair teaches more genres of dance!

The class begins at 8:30 PM and the cost is $30. Call: 973-783-8999 to register. Plan on arriving early to get a space, and wear aerobic or dance sneakers and be prepared to burn a ton of calories and have a blast! You won’t want to miss it! www.DanceAstaire.com

More dirt?

Kostadin and I came to know Louis on a whim in the early millennium, on our way to winning the US Rising Star. Louis became one of our core coaches, pushing us to our maximum and demanding our best in every lesson. Louis helped show us what we were physically capable of, and after a short stint apart, became one of our super-team of coaches and support. He helped us determine who we were as dancers, and helped secure our place in the Nationals. Along with Ballroom Doctor, the Gumada, Marianne Nicole, world-class choreographer Rufus Dustin and the queen of Ballroom, Charlotte Jorgensen (visit http://www.bodyartsconsultancy.com/), we saw Louis more than any other traveling coach.

Something else that's cool? Training under lifelong dance/acting coach, friend and mentor Dr. Ruud Vermeij, Louis is a student of Laban choreology and is well-versed in human movement dynamics. Laban and movement dynamics is all about what our very own Kelley Blessing studied and teaches on Tuesday nights right here in UPMT! Kelley is a certified Laban/Bartenieff Movement Analyst! I'd say she's pumped to meet and work with Louis!

Louis first visited Fred Astaire Upper Montclair before DWTS and SYTYCD ever aired. He's been a little busy since then, producing and starring in a Broadway show (LATIN FUSION), dancing and choreographing for DANCING WITH THE STARS with Priscilla Presley, Niecy Nash, Kelley Osbourne, and of course, Lisa Rinna.

LOUIS' DANCE BLAST is a concept and class created by Louis after helping Kelly Osbourne lose weight during season 9. It fuses ballroom and Latin dance moves with cardio heart-pumping fitness exercises designed to get you sweating and having a great time on the dance floor.

For one night only, Louis will be teaching his dance moves at Fred Astaire. Join us for LOUIS' DANCE BLAST on Thursday, July 22 @ 8:30 PM. Class size is limited, so you'll have to call to pre-register over the phone @ 973-783-8999 or stop in at 604 Valley Road, Upper Montclair.

For more about Louis visit LOUIS' WEBSITE (copy and paste this into your browser if it doesn't work http://www.dancingwithlouis.com/me.html
See our poster - http://danceastaire.com/DAlouis.htm

See more upcoming events http://danceastaire.com/DAevents.htm

Follow Louis! https://twitter.com/LouisVanAmstel

Zumba at Fred Astaire in Montclair, NJ - Call me a Zumboid, Zumba Fanatic, Zumba Addict, Zumbad

2010-07-01T20:37:00.000-07:00

Fred Astaire offers Zumba, Montclair, NJ

Fred Astaire Montclair, NJ offers ZUMBA®

Jenn D's ZUMBA® Class in Upper Montclair, NJ

Jennifer Donayre, ZUMBA® Certified Instructor (far left in pink)

I am blown away.
I met this girl, Jennifer, through a mutual friend that I found on Facebook, Jeff Scott. So I invited her to teach a class at Fred Astaire.

I took the class and I have to tell you I can't remember EVER having this much fun dancing. Well, ok, in West Side Story rehearsals, thank you Jillian, who did original Jerome Robbins choreography. That's Jen in the pink ZUMBA SHIRT, with Andrea next to her, one more girl, then me in the black tank and RED FACE after class!!!

But this ZUMBA! No wonder it's sweeping the nation! Fun, fat-burning, free! I was completely blown away. I'm sure I burned 600 calories. If I took Jen's class 3-times a week, I would lose the Emi weight in 2 weeks! What an amazing workout! I don't think I've ever danced/sweat for 45 minutes straight, non-stop, ever! (There, I'm out of the closet! I'm a cardio-LOSER!)

I could go ON AND ON AND ON! I had so much fun, I'm still pumped!

For those of you who want to try, have no fear! It's easy choreography but a challenging workout. You'll feel it for sure!

Sign up for 6 weeks and pre-pay for $60. Drop-ins $12. Classes are every Tuesday @ 6:30 PM and every Thursday @ 7:30 PM. Be on time, bring a towel and a green-water-bottle! You'll need to rehydrate!

No wonder the tag line is "Ditch the workout, join the party." Hats of to Jen, and the ZUMBA® phenomenon!

Call the studio at 973-783-8999, or stop by at our 604 Valley Road, Upper Montclair location. like us on facebook http://www.facebook.com/UpperMontclairFredAstaire

2010-06-27T21:00:00.000-07:00

Good news and bad!
The good news is: this week we have TWO FREE CLASSES! Thursday, July 1, ditch the workout and join the PARTY. We're kicking off our ZUMBA class registration with a free trial class. Thursday, July 1 at 7:45, meet our ZUMBA instructor Jennifer, enjoy a free ZUMBA party and feel the burn along with the fun. Zumba is a Latin rhythm and moves based fitness class designed to amp up your workout in a party-like atmosphere. Call Kelley at 973-783-8999 to R.S.V.P. for this class, or send us an email.

More good news! After the ZUMBA class, we're having a free SWING CLASS with Erin Marie. Join Erin for this lindy - jitterbug - single swing based workshop for beginning swingers. No dance experience necessary, and at the same time, all level dancers are welcome. You'll learn some great single-swing/lindy moves and have a jump-jivin' time! 8:30 PM, Thursday, July 1.

And the bad news - we will NOT have a party this Thursday, July 1. Our Champion Vesko will be out Thursday night, and it just wouldn't be a party without him.
We will have practice Thursday, so plan to make a night of it! See you all then!
Don't forget to RSVP for both classes!
Live. Love. Dance!

New FADS Website Coming Soon.

2010-06-07T12:11:00.000-07:00

Fred Astaire Dance Astaire Studio of Upper Montclair is excited to announce the upcoming launch of its new website just in time for Summer 2010. You will be first to hear when we go live! Until then, be sure to visit us here.