Bates Ballroom Social Dance!

Hello Everyone! The Bates Ballroom Team is so excited to be holding our first Social of the winter semester on January 22nd from 7-9 pm! These socials are a way to introduce you to the basics of a few fun ballroom dances, Rhumba and Swing, and just have a good time dancing since we can't …

The Importance of Frame

If you've been in the ballroom dance world, even for just a short time, you've probably heard someone talk about frame. Frame describes how a dancer holds their arms, stands, and physically connects to their partner. It enables the partnership to move as one unit with a common center-the dream! Points of connection are: The …

7 Tips for Your Next Private Lesson

Private lessons are expensive, particularly on a college budget. However, at a certain point, a private lesson really benefit your dancing. It's an opportunity for you to receive more personalized instruction on your dancing at your own pace. In the collegiate setting, it may also be a chance to obtain instruction from someone who is …

The Pros and Cons of Small Competitions

I think just about everyone has been to one of those large collegiate ballroom competitions where everything is a blur of neon and sparkles from all over the United States (and sometimes beyond). The competition is fierce and the dancing fiercer. As a somewhat outgoing person myself, I leave at the end of the competition …

Swing & Rumba Social!!!

The Bates Ballroom Team is hosting a Swing & Rumba Social on Friday, October 6, 2017 at the Benjamin Mays Center on the Bates College campus. Join us for a lesson at 7PM, and stay for the social dance at 7:45 (until 9:00)!!! Open to anyone who is interested, regardless of experience. Come alone or …

Ballroom Syllabi: The Places You’ll Go

At some point in your ballroom journey, you'll likely hear someone reference "the syllabus" or maybe a level like bronze/silver/gold or beginner/intermediate/advance. The ballroom syllabus exists to define a standard set of moves that may be expected at each syllabus level in every dance. It provides dancers with an idea of what they can do on the competition …

The Ballroom Partner Search: Tips and Tricks

Your partner went abroad, transferred, moved, lost interest, or had the nerve to graduate before you. Maybe you were the one to graduate or move elsewhere and begin a new life in a new place. Whatever the cause, you’re searching for a new partner because, let’s face it, ballroom can be addictive. Below are a few …

Ballroom Lesson Etiquette

Let's talk about class! Whether a competitor or social dancer or an amalgam of the two, there's a good chance that at some point in your ballroom experience, you've attended a lesson or regularly attend lessons. Following are a few thoughts on lesson etiquette that may be applied to group or private lessons. Arrive on-time …

Gala 2016: Shut Up & Dance

Check out Bates Ballroom's 2016 annual Gala dance below! Video by Kathleen Morrill

The Perks of Social Dancing: The Competitor’s View

As a competitive ballroom dancer, I frequently find that I put on my blinders. In the studio I want to train with my partner(s) in our routines with as little interruption as possible. It's one of my ideas of a good time. However, that focus 24/7 basis would mean missing out on all of the awesome things that exist outside of …