We're committed to safeguarding the welfare of children, young people, and adults by working to provide a safe and enjoyable experience for all in Bedfordshire. Find Out More

Dance Banner
Dance Icon

Dance

Dancing is good for your soul! What's more, it's a fun (and very sociable) way to work up a sweat and stay fit.

An Overview of Dance

Ceroc
Ceroc is a simplified version of jive and quite similar to swing but without the complicated footwork.

Street dance
Street dance describes urban dance styles that evolved in the street, school yards and nightclubs, including hip-hop, popping, locking, krumping and breaking.

Ballet
The first ballet school, the Académie Royale de Danse, was established in France in 1661. Today there are three main forms of ballet: classical, neoclassical and contemporary.

Contemporary
Unlike dances such as ballet, contemporary dance is not associated with specific techniques. In contemporary dance, people attempt to explore the natural energy and emotions of their bodies to produce dances that are often very personal.

Salsa
Salsa dancing is a fun and flirtatious form of partner dancing, fusing steamy Afro-Caribbean and Latin styles into simple and lively movements.

Ballroom
Ballroom dancing has made a comeback in recent years, partly thanks to TV shows such as Strictly Come Dancing and Strictly Dance Fever. There are many styles of ballroom dancing from around the world, such as the waltz, tango and foxtrot, and each has specific step patterns.

Zumba
Zumba is a popular fitness programme inspired by Latin dance. The word "Zumba" comes from a Colombian word that means to move fast and have fun.

Flamenco
From Andalucia in Spain, this is the dance of swirling skirts, castanets and breathtakingly fast heel stomping. Flamenco's musical and dance traditions are centuries old, blending gypsy, Moorish and Andalucian influences.

Tap
Tap dance uses shoes with small metal plates on the soles to make the dance itself part of the music. Tap evolved in America and had its roots in African dance, Irish dance and clog dancing.

Bollywood
Bollywood dancing stems from the Indian film industry and is now popular throughout the world. It is known for being upbeat and often helping to tell a story or show emotions. Bollywood dance blends classical Indian dance forms, with its intricate hand gestures and footwork, with modern western styles, including hip-hop and jazz.

Modern jazz
Jazz dancing is energetic and fun, consisting of unique moves, fancy footwork, big leaps and quick turns. Jazz dance evolved alongside jazz music and was popularised in ballrooms across the US by the big bands of the swing era. Jazz dance offers a full body workout, developing dance ability, flexibility, strength and rhythm.

Wheelchair dancing
BBC3's Dancing on Wheels has done wonders for the sport of wheelchair dancing and has raised its profile as a recreational activity. Wheelchair dancing is open to people of all abilities, including mixed ability dance partners. From the ballroom to the street – not forgetting ballet, and group dances like Gangnam or line dancing – nothing is off limits for those wheels of steel.

Benefits

Dancing can be a way to stay fit for people of all ages, shapes and sizes. It has a wide range of physical and mental benefits including:

  • improved condition of your heart and lungs
  • increased muscular strength, endurance and motor fitness
  • increased aerobic fitness
  • improved muscle tone and strength
  • weight management
  • stronger bones and reduced risk of osteoporosis
  • better coordination, agility and flexibility
  • improved balance and spatial awareness
  • increased physical confidence
  • improved mental functioning
  • improved general and psychological wellbeing
  • greater self-confidence and self-esteem
  • better social skills.

Costs

Dance classes vary in prices across the country with some companies allowing you to pay as you go.

Facts

  • Tchaikovsky composed 'Swan Lake' in 1875, however it was quite unsuccessful after the first year of performance; conductors, dancers and many members of audience thought that the piece of music was much too difficult to dance to, and therefore rejected the piece.

Find Dance Clubs/Groups Near You

Use the search below to find local organisations near you.

Badminton

Bushmead Community Hub

Bushmead Community Hub is at the heart of the community providing a sustainable, secure, culturally diverse and accessible hub that is valued by the people of Bushmead Luton.
We promote, enable, facilitate inclusive activities, which embrace and address

Apex Multisports Bedfordshire

Apex Multisports Bedfordshire

Apex Multisports Bedfordshire started in August 2014 having been invited by Team beds and Luton to deliver across the No Limits programme as well as in partnership with Bedfordshire based colleges, the university of Bedfordshire and National Governing Bod

HOT Academy Ltd

HOT Academy Ltd

Dancing, Singing and Drama classes for 3-18yrs.

Sandy Sports Centre

Sandy Sports Centre

Sandy Leisure & Sports Centre have a mission to help everyone in the local community enjoy getting active for at least 30 minutes, five times a week.

English Folk Dance and Song Society

English Folk Dance and Song Society

EFDSS is the national folk arts development organisation for England.

Classes A2Z

Classes A2Z

Choose from thousands of top local classes and courses throughout the UK! Academic Language Tutoring Courses, Dance, Martial Arts, Keep Fit, Yoga, Driving Lessons much more! Read reviews, access clear pricing and receive certificates for your successes!

The Rose & Castle Morris

The Rose & Castle Morris

We are a male North West Morris side that has been established for 42 years. Based in Stoke Bruerne, between Northampton and Milton Keynes. We dance a range of traditional and new NW dances. We are a very sociable group.