Dancing Made Easy – Learning to Dance

May 1, 2008

“Happy Feet in the Isle of Man.””

Have you ever thought about learning how to dance? If you feel that you can’t learn, you are not alone. Many people are too afraid (or too embarrassed) to learn because they think they are not coordinated enough or that they will look foolish when people see them on the dance floor. Some believe that the dances are too complex to learn, or that dancing lessons are too expensive. Well, these myths have all been done away with on the Isle of Man by a couple who give of their time and experience to people who want to learn how to ballroom dance.

Ballroom dancing has become extremely popular during the past few years due to new influence through films and television. An Australian film, Strictly Ballroom (1992), gave competition ballroom dancing more public focus than it had ever been given before. A soon to be released film, Mad Hot Ballroom, will have its cinematic début in London on November 25, 2008. The film is about a group of New York City school kids on a journey through the world of ballroom dance (to see more about this film click on Mad Hot Ballroom Official Movie Site).

In the Isle of Man there are a few dance clubs and informal dance schools for people to learn how to ballroom dance. A couple, from the south of the island, has been giving lessons and hosting twice monthly dances for the past ten years.

David and Alma Parry have been married for 45 years and dancing for just about as long. When they retired from competitive ballroom dancing they took a few years off, but the passion for dance still had them in its grip. They began giving dancing lessons and arranged to have informal dances twice a month for their students so they could practice and show off their newly learned skills. The Saturday evening dances became very popular with beginning dancers as well as those who already knew how to dance, not only because it was fun, but because it was also an inexpensive evening out.

The Parry’s offer informal lessons for two and a half hours every Wednesday evening to anyone who wants to attend. They invite beginners and those already experienced dancers of all ages who want to polish up their technique or just want to learn new dances. All types of dances are taught: waltzes, quicksteps, jives, rumbas, group dances, folk dances, line dances, sequence dances and disco. The lessons are informal, and each dance is gone through step by step with Mr. Parry leading the way. He is a pleasant and jovial dance teacher who never makes a beginner feel awkward or embarrassed, and he always gives plenty of praise and encouragement to those who feel like they can’t dance.

Mrs. Parry is the always-smiling partner who takes care of the business end of the dances. She not only coordinates the lessons and Saturday night dances, but also instructs students and demonstrates dances with her husband. Her specialty during the lessons are line dance and disco, though if you name a dance she and her husband will go onto the floor and show you how it is done, both beautifully and expertly. She also teaches and helps beginners on a separate part of the dance floor while the intermediates and more experienced dancers review their steps. Then, everyone participates by dancing to music, showing what he or she has just learned.

Many couples and singles alike attend the lessons and the dances. A mother and daughter, Jackie and Lorraine Barnett, have been attending the lessons and dances for several years, and still attend every week. They keep in practice with their steps and dances and also help by partnering with those dancers who don’t feel confident enough on the dance floor.

“I love it,” says Jackie. “It’s a nice evening out with friends and good exercise as well.” She is an excellent dancer, and it shows from the training given by the Parry’s.

Claire Hewland, who takes care of the snack bar during the dance lessons says, “I’ve seen a lot of people come in and know nothing about dancing, and six months later could go to the Viennese Ball and waltz with the best of them. It’s amazing what dedicated practice can do for people who want to learn to dance, and here it’s a fun place to learn.”

Most lessons have every level of dance student attending, from absolute beginners who have never set a foot on the dance floor to those who have been dancing for years. Even though the lessons are informal (no strict structures that intimidate the learners), people attending have a good time and laugh and joke about the mistakes they make. Learning with the Parry’s is fun, and like Alma says, ”Dancing should be a time for having fun. Unless you are a professional competitor practicing ten to twelve hours a day, dancing should be a nice and pleasurable experience with no pressure to be perfect.”

Mr. Parry agrees. “As long as you are having fun when you dance who cares if you miss a step now and then? Dancing takes practice, but even practice should be fun and enjoyable. We can sort out your weak points and review the steps you don’t remember during Wednesday lessons.”

David and Alma Parry have shown people that learning to dance is easy and enjoyable. Everyone can dance. You just have to have the right instructor for your level and needs, and most of all it has to be fun. So, if you want to catch that “Saturday night fever,” get out there and start having happy feet!