MWF 4pm-5:15pm Fitness Center Aerobics Room
No partner needed – meet people!
BALLROOM: Waltz & Foxtrot (Beginner Level)
Winter Session, Jan. 6 – Jan. 17, 2014
MWF 4pm-5:15pm Fitness Center Aerobics Room
No partner needed – meet people!
$75/person – bring a friend!
https://www.ithaca.edu/winter/courses/ballroom/
You can register and pay online via credit card,
Or email oes@ithaca.edu for info to pay by check.
Of the ballroom dances, Waltz and Foxtrot continue to be the two most popular, definitive of ballroom style, with their elegance, lyricism, and classicism. Every dance style: Swing, Salsa, Foxtrot, Rumba, Tango, you name it, evolved from the 19th century Waltz, the first closed position dance. (P.S.: Waltz was a big favorite of England's Queen Victoria!)
Waltz dates to the early Renaissance in Austria. But it got wild in the 19th century dance halls, was shunned by the clergy and upper classes, and banned in four countries! The parents of American ballroom dance, Irene and Vernon Castle, tamed the mad waltz in early the 20th century, making it acceptable to high society. Among the many current variations are Viennese, American, International, Country, Tango, Cajun. There is plenty of great “in 3” music in all styles from classical to pop. We start with a popular easy folk version of waltz, and progress to a more sophisticated ballroom style.
Foxtrot dates back to the ragtime era of 1914, and soon became a favorite of the Swing Era as THE smooth ballroom dance for big band swing. Foxtrot is yet the dance of choice for music by Frank Sinatra, Michael Buble, etc. Although waltz and foxtrot music are very different, the dances quite related. Learning both dances in the same course is a common teaching strategy.
Song lists and class summaries will be handed out in class.
Instructor: Kurt Lichtmann is experienced, entertaining and informative, in addtion to being rather well qualified to teach (Masters Degree in Music Education, Ithaca College '82). He teaches a ballroom and a salsa class at Ithaca College in PALS during the regular school year. Their will be plenty of individual attention, and occasional demos with one of his teaching partners. Kurt is the proprietor of the popular local www.ithacadance.com
Shoes: For the best dance experience, bring clean leather sole shoes. Note to women: if you are comfortable dancing in heels, bring them. Sneakers are OK; you just won't be able to pivot or slide too well. No wet, muddy shoes on the dance floor please! If there is snow and slush, the alternative is to simply dance in your socks. Shoe-lovers note: a great opportunity to get another pair!
Individuals with disabilities requiring accommodations should contact Kurt Lichtmann at klichtmann@ithaca.edu or (607) 266-0282. We ask that requests for accommodations be made as soon as possible.
