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We often get emails from both ladies and men looking for a dance partner and wanting us to supply them with one ....
We hold Dances and Practice sessions throughout the year which include: Ballroom. Latin American, Argentine Tango, Jive etc.. We include all of these styles. We do not hold 'One Style only events' (ie: just Tango, or just Jive) as we teach many styles and do not want anyone to be left out. The combind events are also a chance for others to see new styles.
All classes and events are advertised that you do not need to bring a partner. This is an opportunity for everyone,
(Not just those who currently come to 'Dance at 8' classes) to Get out, Socialise and Dance.
The following letter is a good example of this. It was featured in a past newsletter and on our website:
"I really enjoyed the practice dance -such a good thing to put on. So often there are classes but people are still too shy or unsure to go to a 'real' dance. And you were right- there were at least three gentlemen on their own who were glad of a dance! Looking forward to the next event." Regards, Laura - Ledbury
Every 'Dance at 8' class is led by Highly Qualified and Experienced Teachers - Both Male and Female. At some of our classes we have as many as 5 teachers and helpers that dance with people - no one sits on the sidelines. We will readily put people together at our classes but we do not supply partners.
This is an age old problem for dance businesses around the world. Did you know, that some dance schools will not take singles? We often have phone calls from people who have gone through the Yellow Pages asking about classes, but when Dance schools find they don't have a partner they don't want to know. We feel this is a terrible waste of enthusiasm for something that can be so beneficial to all. We do not take this narrow approach. Everyone is welcome at our classes and events.
Our large ‘Dance at 8’ classes do get a very high ratio of men to ladies (One of the highest in the industry) - but on occasion we do get an imbalance.
The age old story in the Dance World is that there are never enough men to dance with. We cannot guarantee who will attend on the night , yer for example, at one of our recent classes (April 2010) we had 5 extra Men!
Last summer at a class we have 3 extra men. I, (Barbara), was exhausted by the end of the class dancing with each of them. Each one was a good/enthusiastic dancer. Every single one of them asked me where all the ladies were!
At a recent practice session we had a very nice, young guy on his own looking for a dance partner and he asked me where all the single lady dancers were.... So ladies if you are looking for a partner, don't complain - Show up.
From the ladies point of view, to try to solve the problem of not having enough men to dance with at our Big Dances we have:
- Contacted several other local Dance Schools - No one had any spare men that we could hire for the evening.
- Contacted a company that advertised to hire out dancers for classes or events in an attempt to solve the problem that all dance businesses face. (Note: This was a Very Expensive option.) After several phone conversations and emails back and forth to the company, they were going to get back to us when they could arrange suitable partners in our area. We never heard from them again... That was nearly 3 years ago! (If they cannot even phone us - would their people even show up?)
- We sourced a new online directory of "Skilled dancers offering their services as dance companions (a.k.a. dance escorts, or dance hosts)" - There are only 3 men signed up for the whole of the UK....
- We placed an advert for dance hosts on a Dance teachers web site - in 6 months we had No replies...
- We have mentioned it on the front page of our very busy web site - minimal response.
- We even ran 'Singles classes' and everyone showed up with partners!
- We are open to your suggestions. Please email or phone us. 01386 556 665 ( Note: No one has so far)
The other option we have is to have everyone change partners throughout the class. However, the vast majority of people who come to our classes and contact us do not like to change partners. If a couple have made the decision to go out, learn something new and spend some time together, they want to do just that. Dance together, not with everyone else in the room. Many of our telephone enquiries start with "Do you make people change partners?" The answer is No.
What I do know is:
You are Not going to find a dance partner sitting at home in front of your television set. They are Not going to knock on your door ......
We find it so frustrating getting emails where both Men and Ladies are looking for dance partners but they are not doing anything about it. My advice is, if you want to dance, just Go out and Do it ! Have fun at it. People like to be around those having Fun.
Go for a casual, 'No strings attached‘ approach.
It's a dance, Nothing else. It's socialising, exercise and a good night out. It's not a lifetime commitment.
Ask yourself: Have you taken all the necessary steps to find yourself a dance partner?
- Are you currently attending dance classes? (Where do you think people who like to dance are? At dance classes and dance events...)
- Have you made friends with other groups at classes/events? You will find other ladies will share their partners with you.
- If you already attend classes (anywhere), maybe you can arrange to meet others that you know, at our classes or dance events.
- Do you, and all your friends receive our ‘Dance at 8’ newsletter ? Ask them.... This is the best way for everyone to know where and when the fun dance events are going on.
- Have you signed up on Dance Partner sites?
Here are some good dance partner sites:
Note: Remember not to give away information such as phone number or address etc.. I would suggest setting up a separate Hotmail or Yahoo account just for this. You could arrange to meet at one of our classes/events. (Neutral ground, among friends)
Dance Partner http://www.dancepartner.com Dance Sport http://www.dancesport.uk.com/partners/index.htm
Senior Dance Partners http://www.seniordancepartners.co.uk
Many People have found partners at our classes. (Both Dance partners & Life partners). But while we cannot guarantee who will attend on the night - Everyone is welcome at our ‘Dance at 8’ Classes and Dance events. Where possible, we will put you together, but I am sorry, we cannot supply dance partners. Unfortunately we do not have a magic wand to make an even number of partners appear. It's up to you to show up.
See you soon! Barbara Pritchard 'Dance at 8’ ~ Worcestershire / Gloucestershire
