Problems with San Jose's Ballroom Dance Team

[Flyingkamakiri]

Ok, not sure if anyone on this forum can help me with this, but SJSU's Ballroom team needs a place to practice that's somewhere in the San Jose area. Our Aerobics room has limited spaces and the Student union Conference rooms are incredibly expensive. Does anyone have any ideas where we can hold technique classes for the team and perhaps non students too?

 

[latingal]

how about an indoor basketball court? Have even seen raquet ball courts used. doesn't the school have a dance program? if so, they have to have mirrored rooms to run classes.

 

[3wishes]

Do you have an LAFitness near you? We've used their aerobics/workout room when there are no classes being taught as the floor space is perfect. Even so, the manager allowed non-members who were/are dancers to use the floor for practice at a drop/in rate. Check out your local schools as well for that great basketball floor as well.

 

[19DancerBabyLin]

Are you registered as a student group? In my old school the student groups get free use of space; all others have to pay.

At my current school we have the same problem too... we don't even have enough space for our regular lessons! The school's dance studio doesn't allow heels, so no ballroom or character shoes. And the indoor courts are in the gym, which is only open to students, but that would cause access problems for our non-student members.

Right now we just ask for big uncarpeted rooms. And even that we are only allowed 1.5hrs a week... We're starting classes next week and can only keep our fingers crossed that no one is using the room after us...

The nearest feasible studio we can do it at is half an hour's drive away... and students here have no cars

 

[Flyingkamakiri]

Are you registered as a student group? In my old school the student groups get free use of space; all others have to pay.

At my current school we have the same problem too... we don't even have enough space for our regular lessons! The school's dance studio doesn't allow heels, so no ballroom or character shoes. And the indoor courts are in the gym, which is only open to students, but that would cause access problems for our non-student members.

Right now we just ask for big uncarpeted rooms. And even that we are only allowed 1.5hrs a week... We're starting classes next week and can only keep our fingers crossed that no one is using the room after us...

The nearest feasible studio we can do it at is half an hour's drive away... and students here have no cars

Yeah i know what you mean. Right now we are using our school Aerobics room, but team's paperwork has not processed completely yet. We are missing USA Dances constitution and we need that for the registration process. So right now, we can't even schedule a place to practice at school. The Dance dept is very strict about only letting Dance Majors use the studios. Right now we use whatever we have available to us at the time.

I like the idea of using a nearby Gym though... There is a 24 hour fitness, so we might be able to use that...

 

[Flyingkamakiri]

how about an indoor basketball court? Have even seen raquet ball courts used. doesn't the school have a dance program? if so, they have to have mirrored rooms to run classes.

If we arrive early enough in the morning we might be able to call dibs on it...

 

[latingal]

Do you have any community centers around the area? They might have space available also. You could check to see if they might let you use the space if you open it up to non-students (i.e. their client base)?

 

[Flyingkamakiri]

I know we have churches in the area. Do you think that would work? Or bad idea, don't even try?

 

[Terpsichorean Clod]

I know we have churches in the area. Do you think that would work? Or bad idea, don't even try?

I think it's a good idea, though you might need to be careful with which ones you ask. I've heard of some denominations (like Southern Baptist, I think) that frown on or forbid any sort of dancing. On the other hand, I've heard of one church in the area that actually runs its own social dance classes.

Are there any buildings on campus with large foyers and smooth floors? Even corridors can work for teaching stationary dances or individual couples. I know of one team that makes use of those areas.

How about using the stage in any of the campus theaters (drama or music departments?)?

 

[latingal]

I know we have churches in the area. Do you think that would work? Or bad idea, don't even try?

I think that's a good idea to check out. A lot of churches do have "halls" that have smooth floors that might work. I would though be cautious as TC suggested.

 

[Flyingkamakiri]

I think it's a good idea, though you might need to be careful with which ones you ask. I've heard of some denominations (like Southern Baptist, I think) that frown on or forbid any sort of dancing. On the other hand, I've heard of one church in the area that actually runs its own social dance classes.

Are there any buildings on campus with large foyers and smooth floors? Even corridors can work for teaching stationary dances or individual couples. I know of one team that makes use of those areas.

How about using the stage in any of the campus theaters (drama or music departments?)?

I am looking at my options. The Drama stage thing might be a good idea, but since we are still undergoing the registration process, that will probably not be possible.

There are many places we can teach individual couples, but what we need most right now is a place for a large group meeting.

Can you give me the name of the church?
Also, does anyone have any idea what we should use for Dancesports Constitution? Apparently the team needs to turn in the Dancesports constitution along with its own, however we have not been able to figure out where it is on the website. Ideas?

 

[dbk]

Find a large lobby in one of your school buildings -- even if it's got furniture in it -- and chat up the dean of that department / hall director / whoever's in charge about using that space during an off time (like the weekend). Offering to do demos for different department events can help you meet the right people.

You might also be able to get space in a dining hall, if your school has them, during off times. I've never tried it.

Besides that, churches, rec rooms in dorms, churches (often have large rooms for events), nearby gyms or studios (renting space), or unused performance stages, can work.

 

[Flyingkamakiri]

I would love to use any of the large halls or buildings, but i do not think they would let an unrecognized student organization practice dancing in their facilities. Also, in SJSU, i can't thihnk of anywhere where it would be appropriate to dance and hire teachers to come and give us lessons.

There is supposed to be one church that does balroom lessons on certain days. I need to find out which one.

Find a large lobby in one of your school buildings -- even if it's got furniture in it -- and chat up the dean of that department / hall director / whoever's in charge about using that space during an off time (like the weekend). Offering to do demos for different department events can help you meet the right people.

You might also be able to get space in a dining hall, if your school has them, during off times. I've never tried it.

Besides that, churches, rec rooms in dorms, churches (often have large rooms for events), nearby gyms or studios (renting space), or unused performance stages, can work.

 

[Terpsichorean Clod]

I am looking at my options. The Drama stage thing might be a good idea, but since we are still undergoing the registration process, that will probably not be possible.

The idea was to sneak in there. It's easier to apologize than to ask for permission.

Can you give me the name of the church?

Sorry, I don't know, but I will try to find out.

Also, does anyone have any idea what we should use for Dancesports Constitution? Apparently the team needs to turn in the Dancesports constitution along with its own, however we have not been able to figure out where it is on the website. Ideas?

Does it have to be very long?

 

[Flyingkamakiri]

The idea was to sneak in there. It's easier to apologize than to ask for permission.

Sorry, I don't know, but I will try to find out.

Does it have to be very long?

LOL I already got in trouble once for something like that. I do not need to cause more problems.

Thanks for looking into it for me. I don't know how long it has to be. We are going to probably send in Dancesports Mission Statement and call that a constitution.