Houston Ballroom Dancing

Ballroom dancing is alive and well in the Houston area. Every month several Ballroom dance fucntions are held at popular locations. If you look closely enough, you'll also find several ballroom dance clubs and ballroom dance organizations that sponsor events open to the public on a monthly or seasonal basis. There are also several dance teams that perform at private functions and open events.

Ballroom dancing is a popular activity with people of all ages, although many of the best ballroom dancers in Houston tend to be over 30 simply because of the many years of experience they have accumulated.

If you're not familiar with the Houston Ballroom dance scene, finding good venues can be very frustrating. But we know about a few. For example, Glover Johns Gill plays Tango piano at The Continental Club every Monday evening. Sambuca Jazz Cafe has a reputation for featuring Cha Cha music. The Chandelier Ballroom on Beall has Ballroom Dancing events on Saturdays and Sundays. The Melody Club offers a weekly Ballroom dance function and occasionally hosts special events. Many of the Houston area communty centers also hold special Ballroom events and some regular events.

Local dance teams and organizations include the Sweet Melody Dance Club, who hold a fundraising event at the Houston Chinese Cultural Center once a year in the Spring, as well as the Mainland Dance Club (who provide a list of local community centers) and the Houston Swing Dance Society.

There are many, many good Ballroom Dance instructors practicing throughout the Houston area, and you can often meet them at the monthly Houston USABDA dance events held at The Dance Place on Beverly Hill and Chimney Rock near the Galleria. But you can also read about Gloria Jones' Ballroom Dancing classes through the blog of Michael Martinez. We have provided a special page that indexes some of Michael's dance-related articles on his blog.

Ballroom Dancing is usually taught in one of two styles: International and American. The International style tends to be more formal and the American style tends to be more relaed. Many competitions (such as Randy Ferguson's Dance Houston competition) emphasize the International styles. Gloria Jones teaches American-style Ballroom Dancing, but once you learn the American steps and styling, it is often easy enough to pick up the International variations.

Gloria teaches Cha Cha dancing, Tango, basic Waltz, Jitterbug, Foxtrot, and Rumba dancing in a series of monthly Ballroom Dance classes. Other instructors around the Houston area offer lessons or classes in Viennese Waltz, International Foxtrot, Quick Step, East Coast Swing, West Coast Swing, Paso Doble, and Latin Ballroom.

Gloria's Beginning Ballroom Dance class covers the basic steps for the six dance styles and introduces the students to simple turns. Her Pre-Intermediate Ballroom Dance class builds on the basic steps and turns from the Beginning Ballroom Class and introduces the first simple changes and patterns.

Gloria's Intermediate Ballroom Dance Class teaches students more advanced moves and simple patterns on a rotating basis. Each month, a different dance is emphasized. Of course, private lessons can also be arranged for students who want additional help or who want to advance faster than through class instruction.

Many of the special dance events feature guest instructors who provide 1-hour classes immediately before the functions at discount rates. You should know some basic steps for whatever dance style is being taught, but the classes are organized for people of beginning to moderate skill levels. Instructors often introduce simple, elegant, graceful movements and step variations you may not see in regular classes.

This page is not owned or operated by or directly affiliated with Gloria Jones or the organizations and clubs mentioned or linked to. Information is provided "as is" without any warranties or guarantees. Check with the Dance-Passion studio to determine what current schedules and rates are. Times and locations may vary. Lessons may depend upon availability of instructors.
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