Dance Conmigo participates for the second year at the Step into Motion Dance Festival. Step Into Motion is a non profit organization that is managed by teachers, students and dance professionals within the community of Eastern Ontario. The purpose of the Step Into Motion Dance Festival is to encourage dance in the schools and throughout the region of Eastern Ontario.

This year, Dance Conmigo was invited to teach a salsa workshop. The participants of the workshop were so talented that in one 90 minute class they learned the equivalent of five group classes of our regular salsa program. Thank you Gisele Paquette (organiser) for the invitation.

Dance Conmigo is available to participate in dance workshop in and outside the Montreal area. Call us for you next dance event. Dance Conmigo teaches workshops of Salsa, Tango, Ballroom and West Coast Swing.

The crowd had already been dancing for about an hour and you could feel the electricity in the air. There had been waltzes, rumbas and fox trots, all executed with grace, sensuality and fluidity. The lights were then raised and we were all asked to take our viewing positions against the walls of the room.

A couple was then introduced by our host for the evening. They were celebrating their 25th anniversary soon and we were told that they intended to dance a tango for their upcoming celebration with their family. Our great luck was that we would get to see this dance before their family. Their family had not seen them perform a tango ever before.

They took their positions, holding each other gently, and then the room was filled with introduction of the timeless song Por Una Cabeza (also memorable from the tango scene in Scent of a Woman with Al Pacino). A hush fell over the crowd, and we stood on the side and waited.

They had never taken courses together before, and yet their union in this tango implied otherwise. I could feel their slight anxiety about performing in front of a crowd, but I could also feel the beauty of this marriage. At first, they moved cautiously, but then the violin steadied his hand, and the piano gave her the foundation to follow with confidence.

I felt the history of their connection with every step and every pivot. I noticed how each one compensated for the other with every move, always creating a balance as they traveled across the dance floor. The husband smiled at his wife, and his wife returned his affection. They brought us to a place in our imagination where we could all connect with them. I could see all the times that they made sure that the kids had been served dinner before they went to dance practice. I reflected upon the times that they were lucky enough to have 30 minutes to practice together in the basement so that they could master this number while the washer and dryer were humming in the background.

As the music progressed and the intensity of the violin and piano brought us closer to the powerful crescendo, I could see their worry subside and I watched as they both shared this moment, in each others’ arms, as a long-standing team…always willing to find new challenges together. Their movements became more fluid and their feet became guided by sensuality. And then, sadly, the music ended. They embraced.

In my life I have read and seen so many stories where the conclusion is a glorious coupling of young lovers who finally come together. I wonder how many other stories have eloquently brought our attention to the couples who maintained a respectful and loving relationship, while continuing to grow in new directions. A relationship, much like a good performance, requires dedication, determination and a commitment to highlight the talent of both partners. I felt so inspired by their decision to show their family this homage to a passionate tango as well as the strength of 25 years of nurturing and patience.

It was a memorable performance, and I will be eternally grateful that I was there on that Saturday at Studio Metronome to share the experience. Bellissimo!

Notes from, Julie, a dance student.
Date: on Sunday, April 17, 2011 at 6:07pm

New Spring Classes Starting Soon! Two exciting new courses have been added to our Spring Session. Register now – and you’ll be dancing by summertime!

- Discover Rumba, Thursdays 6:30pm-7:30pm
Sometimes called “the dance of love”, this romantic, Latin dance will help develop your sense of rhythm, muscular control, and hip movement. 8-week session starts April 28th. Consult our Ballroom Page for details.

- Intro to Bachata/Merengue, Wed 6:30pm-7:30pm
Fun, flirtatious, and beginner-friendly, these popular Latin dances are seen – and their music played – in Salsa clubs all over the world.
5-week session starts May 18th. Consult our Salsa Page for details.

Tuesday West Coast Swing Practice EXTENDED. That’s right! Our weekly Tuesday night West Coast Swing Practice will now run a half hour longer! 2 hours of pure West Coast Swing music every Tuesday from 8:30pm to 10:30pm at Dance Conmigo (3655 St-Laurent, suite 207). Cost: $3

Free Tango Class & Practica Saturday, Apr 30th. Come to a FREE beginner’s tango class – PLUS a 2-hour tango practice – Saturday, April 30th at Dance Conmigo (3655 St-Laurent, # 207).
7pm-8pm: Intro to Tango class
8pm-10pm: open Tango dancing
Free entrance, bring your own drinks. Music by Carlos di Sarli.

Dance Conmigo Party at Studio Metronome Saturday, May 7 Join us at Studio Metronome (4557 St-Laurent, 3rd floor) for a great night of music and dancing!

8pm-9pm: Beginner Intro class to SALSA
9pm-12am: General Dancing in two rooms:

Room l (Amadeus) Salsa, Merengue, Bachata, Cha-Cha!
Room ll (Bach) a mix of everything! Waltz, Foxtrot, Cha-Cha, Mambo, Swing, West Coast Swing, Argentine Tango, Rumba, Samba, Hustle, Viennese Waltz…
plus dance presentations and surprise performances! Everyone welcome – beginners to advanced! Tell a friend. Entrance is $5

Nouveaux Cours de Danse Commencent Bientôt ! Deux nouveaux cours ont été ajoutés à notre Séance Printanière. Inscrivez-vous maintenant – et vous danserez par l’été !

- Découvrez la Rumba, les Jeudis 18h30-19h30
Appelé "la danse d’amour", cette danse romantique latine aidera à développer votre sens de rythme, contrôle musculaire et mouvement d’hanches. La séance de 8 semaines débute le 28 avril. Pour plus d’informations, svp, consultez notre Page de Ballroom.

- Intro to Bachata/Merengue, Wed 6:30pm-7:30pm
Amusante, charmeur et facile pour les débutants, ces danses latines populaires sont jouée dans les clubs Salsa partout dans le monde. La séance de 5 semaines débute le 18 mai. Pour plus d’informations, svp, consultez notre Page de Salsa.

Pratique de West Coast Swing est maintenant de 20h30-22h30! Nous ajoutons 30 minutes de plus à notre pratique hebdomadaire de West Coast Swing – tous les mardis 20h30-22h30 à Dance Conmigo! (3655 boul. St-Laurent, suite 207). Ces pratiques offrent l’opportunité de voir ou de pratiquer le West Coast Swing ! Au coût de 3$ par personne.

Cours de Tango & Practica GRATUITS samedi, le 30 avril, à Dance Conmigo

Joignez-vous à nous pour un cours GRATUIT de Tango – ET une practica de deux heures – Samedi, le 30 avril, à Dance Conmigo (3655 boul. St-Laurent, suite 207).
19h-20h: Cours d’Intro de Tango
20h-22h: practica de Tango ouverte à tous
Gratuit! Amenez vos boissons. Music de Carlos di Sarli.

Soirée dansante Dance Conmigo Samedi, le 7 mai Joignez-vous à Dance Conmigo, au Studio Metronome (4557 St-Laurent, 3é étage), pour une magnifique soirée de danse!

20h-21h: un cours d’initiation à la SALSA!
21h-minuit: la danse générale dans deux salles:

Salle Amadeus: Salsa, Merengue, Bachata, Cha-Cha!
Salle Bach: Un mélange de toutes ! Waltz, Swing, Tango, West Coast Swing, Cha-Cha, Foxtrot, Samba, Rumba, Mambo, Hustle, Valse Viennoise…

Newsletter – April 18, 2011

The next party will be April 2nd.

Thank you and congratulations to the students who represented Dance Conmigo at June 26 & 27 Dansesport 2009 Competition (http://www.dansesportmontreal.com/)! Dave, Catherine, Guy, Claire, Annick and Halina.