Dancing in Taiwan?!

[the_p0et]

Okay, I've always had this interest in ballroom dance and quiety studied bits of it on my own. I'm now wanting to actually try it out and go for some dance classes. The problem is that I'm a rather shy guy and I'm tall. I'm 6'7". My wife and I are 23 year old Canadians and currently living and working in Central Taiwan.

Does anyone know of any ballroom dance classes conducted in English over here? I tried googling it, but didn't find anything yet.

Thanks!

[motardmom]

I'd start asking around. Try bars, nightclubs, hotels that might have nightclubs or ballrooms, hotels catering to foreigners... I might even ask older (high school/college) students, there might be a dance program in a school somewhere where you might be able to get some information. They may not have a ballroom dance program per se, but they might have some knowledge. Don't limit yourself to asking about ballroom dancing, ask about any kinds of dancing you can think of - traditional native dancing would be a great place to start. I suggest this because often a dancer that does one style of dance will have an interest in other styles of dance and perhaps they will be able to point you in the right direction, or even have a contact or personal experience themselves. You could probably walk up to any Taiwanese history student, ask them what they know about native dance and if they know where you could go to see it. I bet there is someplace touristy and easily accessible where you can find it. Go, watch the show, and afterwards seek out the dancers and ask them where they dance for fun and if they know of any places for ballroom dance.

I am in SE Asia and ballroom dance is really big here, I was very surprised. I have heard of ballroom dance competitions in Hong Kong, Manila, and other places. I think you will find someplace to dance.

[pygmalion]

Hi, the_p0et! Welcome. :D Have :google: will travel. :D

[pygmalion]

I found this article with some contact numbers.

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/feat/archives/2004/02/13/2003098625/print

Incidentally, the article says that ballroom dancing is a mainstay in Taiwan, so it looks like finding classes should be doable. Classes in English? I don't know. Thay also look to be fairly expensive.

[salsachinita]

Welcome to DF, the_p0et!

I was born in Taiwan but have lived in Australia for almost 20 years.

I suspect you will find it hard to locate dance classes conducted in English! Unlike, Hong Kong, Singapore & Malaysia, Taiwan doesn't seem to have a 'live' English speaking culture in general. If you can tap into the ex-pats community, they might have some insider's knowledge.

Thanks for the article, Jenn :D !

:idea: Maybe I should conduct some salsa classes in English over there :idea: !

[pygmalion]

Yep. My Taiwanese friends and coworkers, even the American-born ones, use their native tongue whenever they can. (The American born ones have an American accent even I can hear, btw. :wink: )


Finding classes in English probably won't be easy, especially if you're not in a big city. :?

[pygmalion]

Oh, btw, there's one really cute Taiwanese guy I know. Not for me, but a real catch. PhD in Electrical Engineering. Really cute. Nice car (Mercedes roadster, last time I asked.) Pretty good dancer, for a self-taught guy. And a great boyfriend. His cubicle and mine abut, so I hear him talk. This guy is great. He even makes hair appointments for his girlfriend, when he has one. But I have a feeling that only a Taiwanese or Chinese girl will be good enough for his parents. Just a thought. :)

[salsachinita]

I have a feeling that only a Taiwanese or Chinese girl will be good enough for his parents. Just a thought. :)

This is a very common thing :evil: (tolerance for cultral diversity isn't generally high).........which means there's limited genectic variety in Taiwan. Coming from a mixed background, I had always been a bit of a misfit/black sheep (I think my parents also experienced the same when they were young).

Even the local Taiwanes community here in Australia can be a lot like that. I KNOW that none of my bfs over the years would have been considered 'acceptable' :roll: .........I'm glad my parents are nothing like that :D !

[standardgirl]

Hi the_p0et! Welcome to DF

I don't know if you read Chinese at all, but if you do this link contains a list of teachers in Taiwan and their phone numbers:
http://www.dancers.com.tw/te/teacher.html
If you don't read Chinese, just let me which city exactly you are in, so that I can translate the teacher's name, address, and phone into English, and let you know! Good luck and happy dancing!