Once their students have mastered the fox trot, tango or Viennese waltz, the owners of City Dance want to make sure they have a place to practise their new-found dance skills.
“We felt strongly that there was a need in Vernon for a place where people felt comfortable to dance,” said instructor Heather Stranks, who opened City Dance in February with co-owners/instructors Ruth McGrath and Jens Goerner. “Why take lessons if you can’t use your skills?”
City Dance holds dances every Friday at 8 p.m. for $5 per person and all are welcome, not just students of the studio.
“It is a great way to meet other dancers in the community as well as practise and have fun,” said Stranks.
The three instructors, each with their own talents and specialties, joined forces to offer not only lessons, but a complete dance experience, offering ballroom, Latin, swing and hip hop.
With more than 20 years’ experience, Goerner has an extensive background in both American and international style; McGrath has more than five years of experience teaching ballroom, Latin and swing; Stranks is well-known as coach and administrator of the Vernon Figure Skating Club and brings experience in performance, choreography and production, as well as administrative skills. Hip hop and street dance classes are taught by Simone Goerner, who has more than 12 years of teaching experience.
“This has been a project of love for us,” said Stranks. “We had the mirrors and the paint donated, we made the tables and my mom made the tablecloths.”
With a club-like atmosphere, the studio’s dance floor is surrounded by tables and chairs, where dancers can enjoy a beverage and a chance to socialize.
“We wanted to have more than a studio, we want people to feel comfortable dancing here, whether or not they take classes here,” said Stranks, who counts ballroom as her favourite style of dance, with its resemblance to figure skating. “I love the Viennese waltz, as there is a flow to it and it’s very pretty.”
With instructors trained in both American and international style of dance, the studio is currently home to students ranging in age from 10 to 80.
“People are looking for a fun way to get active and have fun, and this is a different way to get exercise and it’s a great way for people to connect with other people,” said McGrath. “Not everyone wants to dance at a bar. We have a great mix of music, and we base it on who is here. We have so much fun; it’s very casual and everyone comes and they mix and mingle. It’s very friendly, and we’re very proud of that.”
Membership in the studio gives dancers access to free group lessons, although you do not need to be a member to take classes or attend the Friday night dances.
“We get a lot of couples who join us on Fridays and make it their date night. People tell us it feels like family here,” said Stranks. “Everyone is so busy and so to have one hour a week where you can connect with your partner is wonderful.”
The studio offers both group and private lessons, and instructors can also be hired for special events — for a dance performance, lessons or both. And a variety of wedding packages are offered for couples who want to polish their steps for that first dance as newlyweds.
“We’re all about making it fun,” said McGrath, who counts the Argentinian tango as her personal favourite. “It’s beautiful and sexy — it allows the woman to play a bit and have fun.”
Meanwhile, the instructors are busy planning a number of events to introduce the studio to the community.
Dance: The Evolution is the studio’s premiere production, taking place Feb. 23 at the Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre, and incorporating dance styles over the past 500 years up to the present day.
“We are happy to be able to involve other studios in the show so that we can include all dance genres, not only those which we teach at our studio,” said Stranks. “We encourage other studios to contact us if they would like to be involved.
“We are also excited to be working with Melina Moore, who will be offering her vocal talents during many of the dance numbers in the show.”
The studio is looking for couples who would like to take part in the quadrille — no experience necessary — as well as ballroom numbers. Partial proceeds from the show will benefit Sun FM’s Have a Heart Radiothon for the children’s ward at Vernon Jubilee Hospital.
And this Friday, City Dance hosts an open house starting at 8 p.m. Mini lessons will be offered in ballroom, Latin, swing and hip hop as well as Zumba with Sareena Nickoli. Special group lesson prices will be available on this night for those who attend.
“There is no charge to attend, and what a great way to see if dancing and our studio is right for you,” said Stranks. “Drop in, hang out, try some dancing.”
City Dance is at 4411-29th St. For more information, call 250-307-4955.
