\n Halfway through an episode of
\n \u201cDancing With the Stars,\u201d you pause the recording, thinking that
\n you could probably pull off that twirl-hop-twist thing you just
\n watched. After all, if an inexperienced celebrity can do it, why
\n not you?\n<\/p>\n
\n But executing these classic
\n movements as gracefully as they appear on your screen, as you\u2019ll
\n quickly discover, is not as easy as it appears \u2014 especially not
\n without help from an expert.\n<\/p>\n
\n That doesn\u2019t mean you can\u2019t learn
\n all your favorite ballroom styles, but since Derek Hough probably
\n isn\u2019t available, you might need to look for instruction a little
\n closer to home. Luckily, whether you truly were struck by
\n inspiration while watching the popular reality show this season,
\n you\u2019re hoping to learn some classic moves before your wedding, or
\n your New Year\u2019s resolution for 2026 was to try something new,
\n there are a myriad of places in and around Sacramento where you
\n can take beginner-friendly lessons on how to jive, swing and
\n tango, just like the stars.\n<\/p>\n
Where to learn to dance in
\n Sacramento<\/p>\n
\n Linda Fontaine is the owner \n Each week of the month, the group \n \u201cEverybody has their \n If you feel confident about what \n Apart from just trying \n And ballroom really is designed \n Amber Kaufman, a manager at \n In case you\u2019re worried a social \n \u201cIt\u2019s just all of these people \n Most importantly, both women said \n Dancing With the Stars \u201cmakes it Can men learn to dance?<\/p>\n \n For the men reading, this next \n \u201cGetting men out to lead is hard \n She pointed out that beyond bars, \n \u201cPeople who don\u2019t dance don\u2019t \n These two studios are \n \u201cStarting is the hardest part,\u201d \n And if you need added \n \u2013\n<\/p>\n \n Stay up to date on art and culture in the Capital
\n of Spotlight Ballroom<\/a>
\n in West Sacramento, one of
\n several studios that offer group classes for adults locally. On
\n Monday and Tuesday evenings, Spotlight hosts beginner ballroom
\n and Latin dance classes, teaching everything from the foxtrot, to
\n the Viennese Waltz, to salsa and rumba. They also offer private
\n lessons, but Fontaine says group classes are a great option for
\n beginners to help them focus on their basics, learn from the more
\n experienced people in class with them, and take classes at a much
\n cheaper price point \u2014 Spotlight\u2019s group classes are offered for
\n $13 for one, $55 for five, or $88 for 10. They also offer drop-in
\n ballroom dance parties with a brief lesson at the beginning every
\n Saturday night.\n<\/p>\n
\n classes teach a different style of dance, so there\u2019s no pressure
\n if you miss a week, and it\u2019s a great way to experiment with a
\n wide range of dances to find out what you like.\n<\/p>\n
\n favorite dances,\u201d Fontaine says. \u201cOne dance you might love and
\n another you might try and then go, \u2018I don\u2019t want to do that ever
\n again.\u2019\u201d\n<\/p>\n
\n you\u2019re interested in, Ballroom of
\n Sacramento<\/a>, a studio
\n located in Rosemont, has a full schedule of monthly progressive
\n classes in a variety of styles with the goal of helping beginners
\n spend a little more time diving into a specific style of dance.
\n The first class of the month focuses on the basics, and each
\n subsequent weekly class builds upon what you\u2019ve learned
\n previously to help you achieve progressively more difficult and
\n technical moves. Ballroom of Sacramento also
\n hosts\u00a0Q-Rated Sac<\/a>, a
\n Sacramento dance company that specializes in teaching\u00a0the
\n LGBTQ+ community but is open to everyone.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n
\n everything, other ways to decide exactly what style you\u2019re
\n interested in include picking a style you like the music for, or
\n choosing a style you can use at social events. In Sacramento,
\n Fontaine says that salsa and swing tend to be the most popular,
\n because people can use what they learn in class at social dances
\n or bars.\n<\/p>\n
\n to be social, even and especially outside of the classroom. If
\n you start to explore the world of social dancing, you will find
\n quite the variety of regular local events, sometimes with live
\n music, designed for people to practice their moves, dance with
\n new partners, and meet new people.\n<\/p>\n
\n Ballroom of Sacramento, says that the great thing about social
\n dances like the ones that her studio hosts is that attendees
\n range from having 20 years of experience, to being complete
\n first-timers, making it a great place for beginners to learn new
\n moves from experienced pros.\n<\/p>\n
\n dance like this might feel like a competition or a talent show
\n that you\u2019re woefully unprepared for, Kaufman reassured beginner
\n dancers that this isn\u2019t the mindset at all.\n<\/p>\n
\n coming together to do this thing they love together,\u201d Kaufman
\n says.\n<\/p>\n
\n to not expect perfection from yourself when you\u2019re first starting
\n out.\n<\/p>\n
\n look easy, and it isn\u2019t,\u201d Fontaine says. \u201cIt\u2019s like any hobby.
\n You don\u2019t go into a bowling alley your first week and expect
\n perfection \u2014 it takes a little bit of work.\u201d\n<\/p>\n
\n section is for you: Although Fontaine encourages anyone
\n interested in dance to give it a try, she\u2019s especially hopeful
\n that more men will step onto the dance floor this year.\n<\/p>\n
\n because they don\u2019t want to look silly in front of the women when
\n they\u2019re learning,\u201d Fontaine says. \u201cBut women just like to dance.
\n If you just learn the basics, you\u2019ll be the most popular guy
\n around.\u201d\n<\/p>\n
\n having some confidence in basic dance skills is great for
\n parties, weddings, and even cruises, and you really don\u2019t have to
\n know much to shine on the dance floor.\n<\/p>\n
\n know what you\u2019re doing wrong \u2014 they\u2019re just impressed by what you
\n do know,\u201d Fontaine says. \u201cYou get out there and you look like
\n you\u2019re on Dancing With the Stars to them, and everyone wants to
\n dance with you. It\u2019s a good thing to have in your back
\n pocket.\u201d\n<\/p>\n
\n certainly not the only places in the Sacramento area to take
\n ballroom classes, but they are both great starting places. If
\n you\u2019re looking for opportunities to try out your new moves once
\n you\u2019ve taken a couple of classes, try Thursday night line dancing
\n at Ruhstaller\u2019s Farm<\/a> in Dixon, Argentine Tango and blues social
\n dances at Firehouse 5<\/a> in downtown Sacramento, or the wildly popular
\n swing-focused Midtown Stomp<\/a> events on Friday nights.\n<\/p>\n
\n Kaufman says. \u201cYou\u2019re going to make mistakes, you\u2019ll mess up, but
\n you don\u2019t have to be perfect, and no one expects that. We just
\n want you to come out and find the fun in it.\u201d\n<\/p>\n
\n encouragement? The
\n Dancing With the Stars tour
\n is coming to Sacramento April 21<\/a>, featuring a cast of pros along with
\n celebrity guest stars Robert Irwin, Jordan Chiles, and Andy
\n Richter. Maybe this is your sign to treat yourself to a ticket as
\n a reward for having the courage to follow through with going out
\n of your comfort zone to take some dance classes \u2014 plus, you\u2019ll
\n enjoy the show even more after you gain some personal experience
\n to help you relate with the celebs\u2019 dance journeys.\n<\/p>\n
\n Region: Follow @comstocksmag<\/a> on
\n Instagram!\n<\/p>\n