A Time Tu Danse

If you’ve read this far, the chances are you’re interested in dance or have a frustrated dancer inside just waiting to get out. If you fall into the latter category, Anita has one final word of encouragement for you – particularly male readers who may just be sitting on the fence and in need of a final push: ‘Just have a go! When I started doing ballroom classes I decided to try and get into the men’s heads a bit and discovered that they like to think there’s a set period and an end-point when it comes to learning something. So if their partner said “Oh, come along to a ballroom dancing class” they were reluctant because they couldn’t see it ever ending. So I set up a 12-week beginner’s course and I’m sure that most of the men were thinking “Right, I’m going to go for 12 weeks and then she’ll get off my back!” but by week eight 99% of those men were asking me what was going to happen after the course was finished – they didn’t want to stop! So that proves that it’s just about getting the men through the door. Once they try it, they love it, and most of them will stay with it. Once they get here and realise that it’s great fun and good exercise – even just doing the waltz for an hour will break a sweat on most people – and how sociable it all is, they’re hooked. There’s a great social side to dancing too. We do lots of tea dances and social dances on Saturday nights so everyone can have a dance, enjoy some drinks and chat with friends and meet new people. Our ballroom classes have all age groups, from the 20s through to the 80s, so the chances are you’ll meet like-minded people of a similar age and have a great time.’

The next 12-week beginner’s course for ballroom and Latin American dancing begins in January. Call 01733-553830 or email to book your place.

Peterborough couple Roger and Linda Gretton have been ballroom dancing for four years after being inspired to learn while on a romantic cruise.

I danced as a child but gave up in my teens’ Linda says. ‘But then we went on a cruise on the QE2. We were just sort of bopping around but we saw people dancing properly and we both thought “Oh, we’d really like to be able to do that” so we decided to give it a go. We started at another dance school for a couple of years but we got to a point where we weren’t getting any better then we spotted this place and thought we would try it out.

‘We’ve just got back from another cruise so we were able to show off our dancing this time’ Roger laughs. ‘It’s nice to get all dressed up and do it properly.’

‘And it’s opened up a whole new social life’ Linda adds. ‘Dinner dances became a thing of the past for a while but with shows like Strictly being on TV, they’ve all started up again. I think Strictly has been great at getting people up off their bums to start dancing but some people have unrealistic expectations of it – they think they’re going to master a dance in a week like they do on the show!

‘I would say that we’re intermediate-to-advanced dancers now after four years. My favourite style is Paso Doble and Roger loves a bit of rock n’ roll. I love the exercise as well as the social side of the whole thing. And the music too – we’re both big music lovers. It’s also good mental exercise because you have so many moves to remember and co-ordinate.’

‘You never stop learning’ Roger says. ‘And Anita is a great teacher – there’s always something new she can teach you so this is a perfect place for us. We couldn’t ask for better.’

Sample Prices

l First Wedding song, Learn a choreographed dance to the tune of your choice for your wedding. Pay as you go for £25 a lesson or block book five half-hour sessions for £115

l Popstar parties. An X Factor-inspired party where kids get to cut their own CDs. Up to eight kids for £150 for a two-hour party. Dressing up as pop stars is encouraged.

l Private dance lessons for individuals or couple from £18 (for up to two people) for a 30-minute session.

l Themed birthday parties. Hannah Montana, High School Musical, Mamma Mia, hip hop etc. Up to 10 kids, £13 per head. Price includes birthday cake, balloons, drinks and a party bag for each child.

www.tudanse.co.uk