First Dance, Social Dance mandy sove First Dance, Social Dance mandy sove

Your Relationship May Be Failing

When the heart turns away, even slightly, when one or both partners begin to question the soundness of their love, it can be very easy to lose a relationship to snowballing negativity. The truth is that once trouble starts, it can be nearly impossible to stop and/or reverse that kinetic energy. Let dancing help you solve the troubles between you and your significant other!

Read More

Read More
First Dance, Social Dance mandy sove First Dance, Social Dance mandy sove

Learning to Dance as a Practice

Many people that come to us expect us to tell them the exact number of lessons they’ll need to “feel good” or “wow their guests at their wedding” or “know how to dance together,” but truthfully, there is no magic number of dance lessons. Dance is a practice, much like yoga or faith. Now what do we mean when we say “a practice”?  In this context, the dictionary defines practice as “to do (something) regularly or constantly as an ordinary part of your life.”

Read More

Read More
Social Dance, First Dance mandy sove Social Dance, First Dance mandy sove

Building Community Through Dance

I’m a dancer because I love music and moving to it. At least that’s what I’ve always said (and there is a bunch of truth to that), but recently I’ve begun to realize that what I love most about dancing is the other dancers and the relationships I’ve forged with them. I feel this most with the team here at Ballroom Dance Chicago. When you dine with others, drink wine with them and share dances and conversation, it’s pretty easy to form real, lasting bonds. And that’s why I blame you, my Ballroom Dance Chicago family, for the strange relationship I now have with social media.

Read More

Read More
First Dance mandy sove First Dance mandy sove

So You Think You Want a Choreographed First Dance...or Do You?

Quite Possibly!  But it’s not your only option.  First off, we understand why a lot of people would want choreography for their first wedding dance.  It would certainly be comforting to get up in front of all of your guests on your wedding day and know you can rely on a specific pattern of steps when you begin your first dance.  If you carefully rehearse every detail of your first wedding dance, that could go a long way in helping you feel confident that you'll hit all the great moments you want to highlight in your wedding song. 

Read More

Read More
First Dance, Social Dance mandy sove First Dance, Social Dance mandy sove

I Don't Have Any Rhythm... Should I even bother with Dance Lessons?

We’re glad you asked!  First of all, everyone has rhythm.  Your heart beats. Your breath can quicken or slow. There’s even a cadence in the way you walk and brush your teeth.  You already have rhythm.  You just have to learn to listen for it.  Learning to listen for rhythm is really just learning to recognize the regular patterning of beats within music. All it takes is a little awareness, practice, and self confidence!

Read More for advice on learning Rhythm

Read More
Social Dance, First Dance mandy sove Social Dance, First Dance mandy sove

Everyone is a Leader, Both On and Off the Dance Floor

In corporate America, the cubical worker will forgive his visionary CEO - who seems to have a far greater vision than his own - all sorts of transgressions in order to facilitate the delivery of the CEO’s  all important vision for the company, much like the way a family/community in the past gathered around and supported the needs of a woman giving birth. Yet, in corporate America, as can be assumed in many other walks of life, a CEO who feels superior to other human beings, like Belfort’s character, will suppress the voices of workers whom he relies upon in order to deliver his vision of the company.

This idea of a leader being the all important muse and dictator, has connections with the ballroom dance world in a couples of ways...

Read More

Read More