Latin Class Tonight... but no latin shoes!!!

[ladyinred]

Hello All!

Well, I decided to stop being a dance-forums lurker and actually get a username! :)

So I've got a bit of a predicament... I have a bronze latin group class starting tonight, but the latin shoes I just ordered haven't arrived yet and probably won't for a few weeks.

So, my question is what footwear is acceptable to wear until my shoes arrive? I have smooth shoes, dance sneakers, and some old character shoes from my jazz dancing days.

Please help!

Thanks

|Lady in Red|

[skwiggy]

I'd wear the dance sneakers. They're very comfy for practicing latin.

Welcome, Lady in Red!

[Medira]

Welcome to DF Lady in Red! :)

I would probably use the smooth shoes for latin, especially since it's just a group class. Failing that, I'd move to the character shoes. (I'm assuming you're talking the character shoes with the soft leather sole and the heel.) I'd avoid jazz sneakers if at all possible, because you will want to be working on a heel for latin.

Enjoy the class!

[fascination]

Hello All!

Well, I decided to stop being a dance-forums lurker and actually get a username! :)

So I've got a bit of a predicament... I have a bronze latin group class starting tonight, but the latin shoes I just ordered haven't arrived yet and probably won't for a few weeks.

So, my question is what footwear is acceptable to wear until my shoes arrive? I have smooth shoes, dance sneakers, and some old character shoes from my jazz dancing days.

Please help!

Thanks

|Lady in Red|welcome lady in red...any of the above shoes that you mention will be just fine...while certain shoes are more desirable than others for a particular type of dance...you will be just fine...I am a standard and smooth girl and regularly forget my latins and wear either my court shoes or dance sneaker...I prefer the court shoe if I dont have my latins b/c I find spinning in the sneaker to be a challenge....again welcome....

[chica latina]

I would use my dance sneakers.

[Twilight_Elena]

I'd go for dance sneakers too because the other two options aren't as flexible as needed in Latin.

Twilight Elena

[Standard Dancer]

I'd go for dance sneakers because they're the most flexible. I think I've used character shoes before and the soles aren't as flexible. Smooth shoes are probably still aren't as flexible as sneakers either, even the ones that are split soled ...

[redhead]

Wear sneakers. I find doing Latin in standard shoes quite painful

[fenixx]

I did the latin shoe thing, then I did dance sneakers for a bit, now I like to dance in my Pumas (Miharayasuhiro's are my favorite)

[Chris Stratton]

Are the smooth shoes actual smooth shoes (open sides) or are they standard shoes?

[Keelzorz]

I find dancing in dance sneakers to be incredibly challenging, as one has no spin or freedom. It's also a handicap, because you'll be used to the stick of rubber soles when you switch to suede, which can be far slicker if the soles are dusty.

I've also found that it's very easy to tell at competitions who's used to theirs shoes. If you practice almost solely in dansneakers (0" heel, split sole) or practice/teacher's shoes (1" heel, split or full sole), the 2.5" competition shoes look foreign and awkward, whether in heel leads in Smooth, or stylings in rhythm dances. The practice with the heel and the suede is important.

In short - for group classes, while it's acceptible to wear anything, try to wear something closer to what you'll eventually be dancing. While one can comfortably "practice" in sneakers, it's difficult to "learn" in them. My vote goes to the smooth shoes.