Dance Revolution
It’s the ultimate Latin & Salsa dancing experience
Staff Writer
CHRIS ASADIAN WASHTENAW VOICE
Take a walk up the stairs above Elmo’s Tee Shirt store on Main near Washington Street in Ann Arbor and enter a world of dance, creativity, fun — and connections.
Dance Revolution is a smoke-free, alcohol-free upscale salsa club and dance studio that has been in Ann Arbor for about four years. It offers salsa and Latin dance lessons and parties in a friendly and relaxed environment.
And after its move in early autumn from Stadium on the West side to its new downtown location at the Phoenix Center, 220 S. Main St., it is accessible to more people.
“We moved closer to the city so that students without cars could still come to our studio,” said owner Laura Geldys. “There is nearby access to restaurants and bars as well. Everybody that comes to the studio is learning dance and they all just want to have a good time.”
“Lots of people want to learn to salsa dance, but have been scared for most of their lives. We have a very laid-back atmosphere here.”
Dance Revolution (DR) has two dancing rooms used for salsa lessons up to five levels at various times of the week. There are high-energy salsa parties on the first and third Saturdays of the month. And it’s getting great reviews.
“I’m having so much fun, I can’t believe I didn’t come here sooner!” said Laura McCurren, 39, of Ann Arbor.
“This was my first time here at the party,” said Janine Ward, 20, of Ypsilanti. “I took the beginner level and I had a ton of fun. Once I took one class of the first level, I felt comfortable enough to stay for the salsa party at 9 p.m. I am definitely coming back next weekend with all of my friends.”
The parties are feature pizza, drinks and all sorts of snacks. Cost is $5 to get in or free if you pay for a lesson that evening. Lessons are $8, or $7 with college ID. Level two is offered on Thursday nights and is free for ladies for the entire month of December.
No partner is necessary. During the lessons, partners are switched up every couple minutes to give dancers a feel for many different partners. But if you happen to have your significant other with you, you can dance all night together during the Saturday night parties.
Dancers range in age from kids as young as 6 to adults in their 80s.
“I’ve been coming here for four years because of Laura (the owner),” said Raymond Kyle, 26, of Farmington Hills. “She has the best classes and is the best teacher because she is good at teaching the leaders (typically the male part) and the followers. She often does student performances and helps everyone live out their dancing dreams.”
Geldys has a dance background learning ballet, tap and modern dance while in high school. She started taking salsa lessons in her senior year. She has taught alongside with salsa partners for years before going solo, teaching both male and female parts at Dance Revolution.
The next salsa party is Dec. 19 at 9 p.m. This party is themed, with Tango to be included. Dance students arriving at 7 p.m. can choose to learn Salsa or Tango in either of the two rooms on that night.
“Please don’t be scared or shy, just come out and meet some new people,” Geldys said.
For more information and specific lesson times please visit the schedule at http://dancerevolution.biz.
I am so glad to read this piece!! Great job, I am surprised you didn’t mention that Laura G’s mom is the ballroom dance instructor at WCC (Suzanne Zelnick)Maybe there is a follow up piece let me know if you want someone to write it I would love an excuse to catch up with Suzanne!!
Holly