Ballroom Dance Parties Suggestions

[DanceDude]

Since I will be in Orlando Wednesday through Saturday (Dec. 3rd to Dec. 6th), I am interested in places for ballroom dancing. I will be staying at the Hilton Hotel on 1751 Hotel Plaza Boulevard in Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830. When I was in Orlando last September, I attended a Friday night dance (?) Dance Orlando on 311 Dane Lane in Longwood, FL 32750 on a Friday night. While there, some the dance regulars informed me of an upcoming new ballroom dance place. Unfortunately, I forgot the name of that place. Any ideas? I also am considering the Sweetwater Ballroom and Dance Club 644 Florida Central Parkway Longwood. I am looking for a place to dance both Friday and Saturday nights. Although I could dance salsa all night, I prefer a mix. Thanks! 8)

[pygmalion]

Hmm. Best suggestion of someplace close to you is not strictly ballroom. Right on the Disney property is Atlantic Dance, which has a huge, not-too-crowded dance floor for dancing. Non smoking facility, low cover charge. It's inside the boardwalk at Disney, not far from your hotel. You can probably take a shuttle.

Or, if you want real ballroom and don't want the nightclub scene, the best bet for Friday and Saturday nights is Joe Sulen's ballroom dances. I'll check the exact locations and post later.

If it's salsa you want, try Club Cachet on Friday night. It's at John Young Parkway and Colonial Drive.

I'll call and get specifics on each of these, then PM you with directions. My computer is acting very badly today, so it may take a day or so before I can get back to you.


There's a more complete listing of Orlando dance venues posted under Ads and Event Announcements forum.

BTW, welcome to the forums. :D

Jenn

[pygmalion]

As it turns out, Joe Sulen only has one dance that weekend, on Saturday, the 6th. It will be held at the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, 331 Lake Avenue, Maitland, FL 32751. 7:30 free class. 8:00 - 11:00 PM ballroom dance. The fee is usually $8 or $9. Joe plays a nice mix of ballroom music, and the people there are usually fairly serious ballroom dancers. That's different than the nightclub scene, which is heavy on the grope and sway crowd -- the people who can't dance.

Oh, and by the way. Maitland is a lot close to you than Longwood, about half hour less driving.

If you don't mind the club scene, also on Disney property is Pleasure Island, which focuses on different types of music. Mostly club style dancing, but still a good time, and a five minute drive from your hotel.

[DanceDude]

I appreciate your and Jenn's quick replies. :-) Based on your information, the dance this Saturday (Dec. 6th) at the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, 331 Lake Avenue, Maitland, FL 32751 appears to be my best choice. My only concern is the floor quality: linoleum vs. floating floor.

I will check map directions from my hotel later. ;-) Thanks again.

[pygmalion]

Wood floor. Thumbs up.

Atlantic Dance has a parquet floor, and usually has a group or two or honest-to-goodness ballroom dancers there. Pleasure Island has various floors, depending on the club, and generally has non-dancers or club dancers.

And I'll check for the Friday night dances. There are usually several around town. I'll get back with more suggestions later today. Have fun!

[pygmalion]

Looks like the Sweetwater ballroom is your best bet for Friday night. Hmm. I'll keep looking, but the majority of the holiday dances are scheduled for the following weekend.

[DancingMommy]

Check out our Yahoo group called "Orlando Ballroom Dance"... I normally update the calendar as I can. I just put up the info fort he Joe Sulen Dances. :-)

To get to us, go to groups "dot" yahoo "dot" com and search for "OrlandoBallroomDance" or alternately, email me at orlando_ballroom_dance "at" earthlink "dot" net and I'll forward the info to you.

I hope it isn't to late... Just found this board...

[SDsalsaguy]

Just found this board...
Welcome to the Forums DancingMommy! :D ...and thanks for jumping in to help out! :D :D

[pygmalion]

Hi DancingMommy.

Are you going to the USABDA dance on the 19th? Hope to see you there.

Jenn :D

[DancingMommy]

Hi DancingMommy.

Are you going to the USABDA dance on the 19th? Hope to see you there.

Jenn :D

Maybe. My sis-in-law is coming in from Phoenix, AZ and so I'm not sure what our plans are. I'd love to since I'm having dance withdrawal (had my first coaching in 5 months or so a few days back). We would have gone to the November dance, but I was having major sciatic pain realted to pregnancy that put me in the hospital for a day. :cry:

Sis-in-law is also a non-dancer, so she probably wouldn't enjoy herself. Although.... She could watch our daughter.... Hmmmmmmmmm :P

[pygmalion]

Hey -- have you seen the dancing while pregnant thread? Some good stuff there -- even pictures. :D

I don't know if you do salsa, but 'll probably also go to the salsa heat party on December 27, and the USABDA dance camp in Daytone in January, so maybe we can meet up there. Either way, I'm sure I'll meet up with you one of these days.

[DancingMommy]

Hey -- have you seen the dancing while pregnant thread? Some good stuff there -- even pictures. :D

I don't know if you do salsa, but 'll probably also go to the salsa heat party on December 27, and the USABDA dance camp in Daytone in January, so maybe we can meet up there. Either way, I'm sure I'll meet up with you one of these days.

No I haven't, but point me to it! I'd love to read on it and share my insights. With my first child, I danced up until 1 month before she was born. Nobody would let on the floor after that - too much liability they said :!: LOL

This time around, I've been too sick to move around much. :evil:

I'm going through major withdrawal, but at the same time I get super claustrophobic around large groups of people... Who knew it would be like this this time?

[pygmalion]

Every pregnancy is different. At least, that's what they say. I hope you're feeling better soon. I'll see if I can find that old thread -- since I started it, maybe I can remember where I put it LOL!

[DancingMommy]

Every pregnancy is different. At least, that's what they say. I hope you're feeling better soon. I'll see if I can find that old thread -- since I started it, maybe I can remember where I put it LOL!

Thanks! I'm feeling much better now that I'm in the "home stretch". And I do mean stretch... LOL I just wish that I was cleared for some serious dancing.

On a side note, has anyone ever seena pregnant woman compete? And if so, what would one wear? I don't plan on giving up dancing just to have kids, and I don't plan on giving up having kids just for dancing.... So at some point, there could be overlap along the line. 8)

Guess I'll just have to design my own since most of the RTW stuff is geared towards skinny little sticks who look like they've never had their hips spread in childbirth... </end rant>

[pygmalion]

Ha! Another good thread is called dancer's bodies. Check it out. 8)