MARLENE KARAS/VIEWGordon Laurencell and Julie Chang, center, practice the waltz Nov.11 at the Gold Coast. The casino offers ballroom dancing lessons from 1 to 2 p.m. every Sunday in the Showroom.
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Ballroom dancing has gained some serious momentum since the network arrival of "Dancing with the Stars" two years ago, and some Las Vegas industry professionals say it's just the beginning.
"I think that the show made it safe for people to experiment with dancing," said Adam Stuckey, an instructor for Arthur Murray Dance Studios, 4550 S. Maryland Parkway. "Before, too many people feared being laughed at or doing something out of character."
A lot of men have shimmied out of the woodwork after seeing football stars such as Emmitt Smith and Jerry Rice strut their stuff on national television, Stuckey said.
"In the past, the women-to-men ratio in our group classes has been more women," Stuckey said. "But now, we're seeing more and more men who are excited about learning something new."
The studio specializes in private and group lessons for ballroom dancing, and, according to Stuckey, a talent for dance isn't nearly as important as desire.
"We have a system that works where the client gets one-on-one instruction and then the opportunity to work with other students," Stuckey said. "We create a culture of support and understanding for our dancers, and it becomes its own social circle."
Arthur Murray Dance Studios sells lessons in a package deal, not by the lesson.
Students typically get a number of private lessons with a group lesson and dance party (held each Friday night for students). For more information, call the Maryland Parkway studio at 798-4552. Arthur Murray also has a studio at 4440 S. Durango Road, Suite A, 876-3131.
Jennifer Allison of Las Vegas finally got the courage to try ballroom dancing when her boyfriend suggested it earlier this year.
"He knew that I have an interest in dance, but I've always been a little shy about pursuing it," Allison said. "So we started scouting out classes around town and now we're learning together ... it's a bonding experience."
The Gold Coast's Sunday afternoon dance class is taught by studio owner Manny Bonotan and caters to every level of dance enthusiast.
Ballroom Dancing with Manny became a ballroom hit in July, when couples from around the valley turned out for an hour-long dance lesson at 1 p.m. each Sunday and dancing until 5 p.m.
"We get all kinds of people," Bonotan said. "Some people come for the lesson, some just come to dance, but either way, they get what they want."
The lesson each week is different, including dance from every genre, from disco to rhythm, Latin to ballroom.
"We like to ensure that we get some variety," Bonotan said. "It's a fun way to stay in shape and learn something new at a fairly cheap price."
Ballroom Dancing with Manny costs $10 per person for the entire afternoon. The price includes the lesson. For information, visit www.ballroom dancingwithmanny.com.
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