Spring is in the air, and what better way to celebrate the season of renewal than with an elegant Afternoon Tea Dance on Good Friday? Taking place at our premier dance studio in Burnham on Friday 29th March 2024, from 1pm to 4pm, we’re inviting you to step out of the ordinary and into a world of grace, rhythm, and delightful delicacies, all for an exclusive price of £27.50 per person.

Experience the Elegance of Afternoon Tea

Our Afternoon Tea Dance is more than just an event; it’s an experience. As the doors open, you’ll be welcomed into a beautifully decorated setting that evokes the charm and sophistication of a bygone era. You’ll indulge in a full afternoon tea, featuring an exquisite selection of finger sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and jam, a variety of cakes, and, of course, tea! Our aim is to tantalize your taste buds and provide a feast for the senses.

Let the Dancing Begin

After you’ve savoured the last crumb of your afternoon tea, the real magic begins. The floor will open for dancing, inviting beginners and seasoned dancers alike to glide, twirl, and sway to the rhythm of the music. Whether you’re a fan of the waltz, tango, or cha-cha, our Afternoon Tea Dance offers a perfect opportunity to showcase your moves, learn new ones, and enjoy the company of fellow dance enthusiasts. It’s a celebration of dance, music, and the joy of spring!

Book Your Good Friday Afternoon Tea Dance Spot Today!

Spaces for our Afternoon Tea Dance are limited, and bookings close on Friday 22nd March. Don’t miss your chance to be part of this unique and memorable event. At just £27.50 per person, it’s an opportunity to indulge in the finer things in life without breaking the bank. Whether you’re looking for a delightful way to spend Good Friday, a unique date idea, or a fun outing with friends, our Afternoon Tea Dance ticks all the boxes.

If you want to reserve a space for another person please visit our full booking system.

Location and Timing for our Good Friday Afternoon Tea Dance

• Date: Good Friday, 29th March 2024
• Time: 1 pm – 4 pm
• Location: Our Dance Studio in Burnham
• Price: £27.50 per person

To secure your spot, please contact us as soon as possible. Remember, bookings close on Friday 22nd March, so don’t delay. We can’t wait to welcome you to our Afternoon Tea Dance, where the tea is sweet, the dances are lively, and the company is splendid. Swing into spring with us and make this Good Friday unforgettable!

The post Good Friday Afternoon Tea Dance – Friday 29th March 2024 appeared first on Learn To Dance.

On Sunday 14th March 2021 we held another free live-stream class on YouTube, this time a Beginner Basic Samba dance class.

In this class we started with the Samba Reverse Basic. This is a step forward with the left foot, a bounce on the spot, and then a step back with the right foot (repeating the bounce).

Some time is then spent discussing the Samba pelvic action, using a mild thrusting action by ‘pulling in’ your belly button.

Next we introduce the Samba Whisk. This is a side step with a bounced cross behind.

The Stationary Samba Walk followed which involves a close with one foot, a point back with the other, and a slip back of the front foot. When you then do the subsequent close on the next foot it is closed slightly forward (where you had originally started) to keep the overall movement on the spot.

Bota Fogos are introduced next, moving forward and backward before we start looking at the Voltas. Initially we do our Voltas in straight lines, at both half and then full speed, before looking at the Solo Spot Volta that rotates around on the spot.

Finally, just when we need a little breather, there’s a basic Rhythm Bounce.

Watch the Beginner Basic Samba Lesson

You can watch the roughly 30 minute lesson below. If you want to jump ahead to certain moves we’ve included the timestamps below it:

Lesson Timestamps

[00:01:50] Reverse Basic
[00:07:31] Whisk
[00:11:52] Stationary Samba Walk
[00:17:32] Bota Fogo
[00:23:30] Voltas
[00:26:47] Solo Spot Volta
[00:30:25] Solo Samba Routine

Solo Samba Routine Demo Video

The lesson ends with a basic beginner Solo Samba dance routine to help you practice the steps learnt.

We have chosen the song Lady De Rojo by Bassio for this routine. Before demonstrating we quickly remind you of the basic steps included too!

You can find just a demo of the Solo Samba Routine below:

If you want to check out some more of our solo routines we have a playlist over on YouTube.

Samba Dance Music Playlist

So that you can practice the basic beginner moves we’ve also uploaded a playlist of a selection of Samba tracks. The songs start off slowly then ramp up in speed, and we’ve also included songs used in some of our other lessons.

We hope you enjoy the below playlist:

About Learn To Dance

Learn To Dance is a Ballroom and Latin American Dance School based in Burnham, Buckinghamshire.

Offering regular live-stream classes, as well as useful dance uploads, subcribe to be kept informed when new videos are going live. Send us your suggestions of what you’d like to see us release and we’ll do our best!

Looking for more personal tuition on your Basic Beginner Samba? We provide both in-person and streamed lessons and classes. Check out learndance.co.uk/online for more information.

You can check out our website, or follow us online, at:

Website: learndance.co.uk
Youtube: youtube.com/learndance
Facebook: facebook.com/learndance
Instagram: instagram.com/learndance
Twitter: twitter.com/learndance

The post Beginner Basic Samba Solo Dancing YouTube Lesson appeared first on Learn To Dance.

The video lesson will last for around 30 minutes and we’ll start you off with a few basic beginner Salsa dance steps. There will be a range of steps taught and hopefully you’ll be confident in them all by the end of the class.

Throughout the class we’ll also teach you a simple basic Solo Salsa dance routine.

We’ll talk you through how to do the basic Salsa steps as well as a little on improving the technique of the beginner steps.

The Basic Beginner Salsa Lesson Video

Our lesson will go live on our YouTube channel at 11.30am on Sunday 7th March.

You can join us during the live broadcast and the video will be available to re-watch after the lesson has finished.

Whilst you’re waiting check out our Solo Salsa Dance Routine that we released during lockdown 1.0. This also features some of the basic beginner Salsa steps, as well as a few trickier movements thrown in.

It was our first ever online lesson video, so was a learning curve, but we hope you enjoy it!

Don’t forget if you want to be among the first to know about new videos and lessons subscribe for free to our channel. Make sure to click the ‘notification bell’ to be notified as soon as a new video is available or going live.

We’ll also upload a video demonstration of just the Solo Basic Beginner Salsa dance routine as well as a Salsa dance playlist for you to practice to.

About Learn To Dance

Learn To Dance is a Ballroom and Latin American Dance School based in Burnham, Buckinghamshire.

Offering regular live-stream classes, as well as useful dance uploads, subcribe to be kept informed when new videos are going live. Send us your suggestions of what you’d like to see us release and we’ll do our best!

Looking for more personal tuition on your Basic Beginner Salsa? We provide both in-person and streamed lessons and classes. Check out learndance.co.uk/online for more information.

You can check out our website, or follow us online, at:

Website: learndance.co.uk
Youtube: youtube.com/learndance
Facebook: facebook.com/learndance
Instagram: instagram.com/learndance
Twitter: twitter.com/learndance

The post Basic Beginner Salsa YouTube Lesson appeared first on Learn To Dance.

I’m sure by now everyone has seen the draft plan released by the UK Government and announced on Monday 22nd February.

The roadmap out of lockdown is going to run on a minimum 5 week cycle between restrictions being lifted. This will allow the results of each lockdown easing stage to be reviewed, before deciding if the next step can be safely implemented.

There will be 4 tests evaluated by the government at each stage of the lockdown easing:

• the vaccine deployment programme continues successfully
• evidence shows vaccines are sufficiently effective in reducing hospitalisations and deaths in those vaccinated
• infection rates do not risk a surge in hospitalisations which would put unsustainable pressure on the NHS
• assessment of the risks is not fundamentally changed by new Variants of Concern

Assuming these tests can all be passed satisfactorily, in the 4 weeks following a change in step, then a week’s notice is given to confirm the next stage being implemented.

Read on to find out a summary of each stage, but especially how the lockdown easing affects the Learn To Dance school.

Step 1 (8th & 29th March)

8th March

Schools are reopening for all children and Higher Education students doing practical courses also return.

Whilst this doesn’t change anything for Learn To Dance it does mean that Creative Academy are able to hire studio space from us again. This will provide us with a bit more stability financially and so will be most welcome.

You will also be able to meet with one person, for recreation or exercise, who is not in your household or support bubble.

29th March

From 29th March we should then be able to meet up with another household, or as the ‘Rule of 6’, outdoors (including gardens).

Outdoor sports, including football at the Cherry Orchard, are permitted to resume from 29th March.

The ‘Stay at Home’ rule will cease to be in law but they still recommend staying local and working from home where possible.

At this stage holidays abroad will still not be allowed.

Therefore Step 1 unfortunately does not result in any lockdown easing for the dance school. However we will continue to provide our online streamed lessons and dance classes.

Step 2 (12th April) – Start of dance school lockdown easing

In Step 2 is when we start to see some of the lockdown easing measures for the dance school. The earliest this will take place is from 12th April and its implementation will be confirmed a week before.

Boris has confirmed that the plan for step 2 is to allow the opening of a variety of businesses:

• non-essential retail
• personal care such as hairdressers and nail salons
• libraries and community centres
• indoor gyms and leisure facilities (but only for individuals or same household)
• outdoor attractions
• campsites and holiday lets (without shared facilities)

Pubs and restaurants will be able to serve outdoors with table service. Weddings and similar can take place with up to 15 people.

Whilst we haven’t received any detailed guidance at present the signs point to us being able to offer private lessons again in Step 2. These will continue to be for individuals or same-household and will be non-contact with our instructors.

We are taking provisional private lesson bookings at this stage, but flexibility will be maintained as the situation develops.

Step 3 (17th May) – more Lockdown Easing for Dance Schools

Should things go well than by 17th May (at the earliest) the country will enter Step 3 of the lockdown easing roadmap.

At this stage there is hope that limits on socialising with friends and family can start to be relaxed. Although gatherings outdoors in excess of 30 people will still be illegal.

Indoors the limits will be rule of 6 or 2 households at this stage. We anticipate this will be in line with the previous rule of 6.

Further business openings will be permitted at this point, including:

• Indoor pubs and restaurants
• Cinemas and children’s play areas
• The rest of accommodation
• indoor adult group sports and exercise classes
• indoor performances and sporting events (subject to capacity limits)

Weddings and other social events will be able to host up to 30 people.

At this point the government will begin looking into social distancing and other Covid guidance that could be reduced in Step 4.

Therefore in Step 3 we expect to be able to reopen for group classes. It is likely that this will still be with the capacity limits in place from last year.

Step 4 (21st June) – return to life as we know it???

By Step 4, which will happen no earlier than 21st June, lockdown easing for the dance school could see all social contact limits removed.

Subject to the rules at the time this may mean that we can resume contact lessons and solo dancer rotating. However this would be reliant on all of our teachers having had both their jabs!

At the moment we hope that by the autumn things will start to feel a bit more normal. In fact hopefully our Bournemouth Dance Break will be able to go ahead as scheduled.

All the dates quoted by the government do come with the caveat that these are the earliest they could happen. Any failure of the tests at a particular stage could see a slowdown of the lockdown easing. There will always be at least 5 weeks between Steps.

As much as we are hoping that lockdown easing will allow us to open up the dance school, sooner rather than later, we will always take into consideration the health and safety of our staff and students.

Therefore we may elect to keep certain sessions virtual until such time as we deem it possible to welcome students back safely.

Whilst Coronavirus is likely to be always with us let us hope that this is the start of the end of restrictions. With lockdown now easing we hope to open the doors of the dance school to you all again.

Stay safe and well and we look forward to welcoming you all back again soon!

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Hearing your feedback gave us an idea…what if we could provide space to practice, whilst still observing government guidelines?

How then can we practice Ballroom & Latin American dancing in the current pandemic?

Our plan is to provide a whole day of pre-bookable 1 hour practice slots at our dance studio in Burnham. We have scheduled this in for Friday 14th August.

There will be a maximum of 4 couples permitted in each slot. We will allow 30 minutes for sanitising the studio in between sessions.

Students will be asked to respect social distancing guidelines. Hopefully however there should be enough space to keep away from each other!

We will play a selection of Ballroom and Latin American dance music so that you can practice your repertoire.

You can book for more than one session, but will be asked to leave the studio during the sanitisation break.

That sounds amazing, how can I book?

There are a number of ways to book onto the Ballroom & Latin American practice sessions. You can call or email us, or book online.

Please note we are unable to accept walk-ins on the door. You can call us on the day to confirm if we have slots available. However we do expect this to be a popular event so pre-booking early is advised.

The sessions will cost £15 per couple.

Will you run these Ballroom & Latin American practice days regularly?

If they prove popular we may consider making them a regular occurrence. Possibly one Friday a month but midway through the month with our regular social on the usual last Friday of the month.

Obviously our regular socials cannot currently run under government guidelines. But we hope the pandemic situation will improve to the point they can be restarted.

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Christmas Party Dance Workshops

In the run-up to Christmas we have two special four week courses to give you options at Christmas Dances and Parties.

For couples we have the Nightclub Two Step, an American partner disco dance that is great for the slow songs. For solo dancers we will be offering a solo disco course. Not necessarily Saturday Night Fever, this is more about how to dance confidently on your own.

The Nightclub Two Step commences on Monday 25th November, and Solo Disco from Thursday 28th November. Both courses cost £25 per person and start at 7pm. Booking can be made online for the courses.

To reserve a space for someone else on our classes or events choose the Full Booking System option from our Booking menu.

Christmas Party and Dance Social

Our Christmas Party and Dance Social takes place on Friday 6th December. The Christmas Party takes place from 7pm-8.30pm and is free for all to attend. There is a welcome drink upon arrival but please bring your own drinks otherwise.

December is also the anniversary of the opening of our Cherry Orchard Dance Studio. We’re celebrating our third year in the studio, so you may have to also put up with a quick speech!

Our Christmas Dance Social then starts from 8.30pm and costs £7 per person. Come along and dance Ballroom and Latin American to a Christmas themed playlist; or just catch up with friends and enjoy the music and dancing.

Dress code is Winter Wonderland (silver/white/gold) appreciated, but as always not compulsory!

You can book on our website. Choose whether you are coming for the whole night, just the party, or just the social dancing.

Strictly Final Pizza Party

Saturday 14th December is scheduled to be the BBC Strictly Come Dancing Final. Each year we host a Strictly Final Party, showing the event on our projector screen for all to enjoy.

Last year we decided it could be fun to have a pizza company preparing freshly made pizzas during the final. It was such a hit that we are repeating the event this year.

Unfortunately last year’s pizza company have retired to start a family. We have therefore engaged another company that come highly recommended – Pizza Pals. They’ll be providing pizzas at a rate of 40mph (margheritas per hour!). There’ll be a couple of topping options as well as garlic bread, salad and sauces.

Exact timings for the final have yet to be released but it’s normally starts around 6.15pm. The final runs straight through without a break until they announce the winner. Doors open at 5.30pm with a welcome drink and pizzas will be served throughout the evening.

The dress code for our Strictly Final Pizza Party is Black Tie or Strictly Sparkle.

Tickets cost £25 per person and you can book on our website.

Christmas Afternoon Tea Dance

Back in May we held our first Vintage Afternoon Tea Dance. A wonderful selection of sandwiches, cakes and scones were provided and everyone got into the spirit of the event.

Our Christmas schedule this year sees us breaking up a Sunday later than usual. We thought it would be nice to have another Afternoon Tea Dance to see us into the Christmas Break.

This Christmas Afternoon Tea Dance will be held on Sunday 22nd December. A full afternoon tea of sandwiches, scone and cakes will be provided, along with plenty of time for dancing. The theme is a Vintage Christmas, but as with all our events dressing up is not compulsory.

Places are going fast for this event so don’t delay if you want to book. Tickets cost £25 per person and can be booked on our events page.

Give the gift of Dance

Don’t forget you can purchase gift vouchers from the Booking menu that can be emailed direct to the receipient, or printed to be put in Christmas cards.

Choose your own value, or one of our pre-selected popular options, and give the gift of dance this Christmas.

Whatever your plans for Christmas we hope to see you at one of our events, classes or workshops.

The post Christmas Dance Events and Workshops appeared first on Learn To Dance.

As many of you will know Learn To Dance turned 10 on Friday 29th April.  We couldn’t have achieved this without all of you; from those that come multiple times throughout the week to those that we only see occasionally.

We had a great time at our anniversary party and the DVD is currently available to pre-order for the special price of £10.

One thing that didn’t make it into our performance was a guest spot from Immi, but don’t worry we captured it on video for you to enjoy below.

The post Pre-Order 10th Anniversary DVD appeared first on Learn To Dance.

Thank you to all of our students, their families and friends who voted.  It really means a lot to us that you enjoy what we do so much.

The winner of this year’s competition will be announced at a special Gala event at Blackpool Tower on Saturday 28th March 2015 from 6.30pm.

The evening features music and singing from Ross Mitchell, his band, and singers as well as demonstrations and workshops.

Tickets for the event are £12 per person.  We are currently getting quotes for hotels but they will possibly be in the region of £50 including breakfast.

Quotes for coach travel can be arranged if enough students are interested.

We hope you’ll join us for this great evening and a chance to dance at the world famous Blackpool Tower.

Booking details will be released this week once we have confirmed prices and availability.

About LearnToDance

LearnToDance is a Ballroom and Latin American Dance School run by husband and wife team Antony & Emma-Louise Holeksa and has been running since 2006.  Classes for all levels and ages, and personal tuition, take place throughout the week, as well as dance breaks and private events.

The post Antony Short-listed for 2015 Dance Teacher of the Year appeared first on Learn To Dance.

Christmas Dance Social 2014

WHEN: FRIDAY 12th DECEMBER

WHERE: BURNHAM PARK HALL

TIME: 8.30PM-11PM
(Tango Workshops from 7.30pm)

PRICE: £6pp
(£5 if you BOOK ONLINE in advance)

Our Christmas Dance Social will take place on Friday 12th December at Burnham Park Hall, Windsor Lane, Burnham, SL1 7HR.

Costumes are highly recommended (and appreciated) or we do ask for a red, white or green theme to your outfit in keeping with the Christmas spirit.  However this is not compulsory.

The evening features a variety of Ballroom and Latin American dances and also has Tango Workshops (two levels – ‘Beginner’ and ‘Improver II + Above’) beforehand at 7.30pm.

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WHEN: FRIDAY 28th NOVEMBER

WHERE: BURNHAM PARK HALL

TIME: 8.30PM-11PM
(SAMBA Workshops from 7.30pm)

PRICE: £6pp
(£5 if you BOOK ONLINE in advance)

Our regular LearnToDance social nights take place at Burnham Park Hall, Windsor Lane, Burnham, SL1 7HR. They’re a great opportunity to come along and practice the steps you’ve been learning, as well as meet other dancers and make friends.

The evening features a variety of Ballroom and Latin American dances and also has Samba Workshops (two levels – ‘Beginner’ and ‘Improver II + Above’) beforehand at 7.30pm.

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