Our 2023 Spring Show had a great lineup with lots of variety, but due to an ill-advised decision to try out new technology on the fly, we didn’t get video of all the numbers. Oh no! Fortunately, we were able to pick up most of what we missed from audience members and piece it back together for you to enjoy. Thanks everybody.
Joe had been taking salsa lessons for a little while, with the primary objective of using it when he went out with friends. He didn’t hesitate though when asked to participate in a show, and he did a bang up job dancing to the fast and furious Ran Kan Kan from the Mambo Kings.
Cat & Joe | Salsa
Cecilia and David started taking lessons so they could dance together to the classic 80’s rock that they both loved. The Power of Love was the perfect song for them, and boy did they make it look easy.
Cecilia & David | Push-Pull Swing
Always up for a challenge, Lulu and Brandon decided to tackle Viennese waltz. The song they chose, Lavindur, put a new spin on an old classic.
Lulu & Brandon | Viennese Waltz
Kayla and Brian’s bachata to Propuesta Indecente could have easily stood alone, but since the beginning covers a classic Astor Piazzolla tune, we decided to let Colleen and John set the scene with a little Argentine tango.
Kayla & Brian | Bachata
We’d love to have you join in the fun, so be sure to check our News & Events page regularly. Better yet, sign up for our newsletter, What’s Happening At Cat’s Ballroom, and get information about special events and classes sent right to your inbox.
And remember, your first lesson with us is free, so why not try one today?
Tina and Mike’s vision for their first dance had me from the get-go. First it was on a boat – how fun is that? And second, they wanted it to feel like the tango scene from the movie Mr. & Mrs. Smith, because, well, that’s what they were about to be. Not your typical fairy tale, but so cool.
The vibe from the movie is sexy-violent. They already had the first part down, so it was up to us to add a whiff of intrigue. Tina may have embraced the role a little too much though because the first time she smacked Mike on the butt, I’ll wager she left hand prints! All kidding aside though, they worked fabulously together, and we were able to create the evocative and entertaining first dance they were looking for.
Drama
Of course, I warn every couple to mentally prepare to block out the cheers and comments of their friends and family. Sometimes it’s tough though, and you’ll see Tina’s focus waiver for just a moment at the beginning when her daughter yells out, “Mom, what is happening?!” The question was valid given their starting position, and even the DJ was a little nonplussed.
And Flair
In keeping with the theme, the plan was for them to end by strolling off the floor arm-in-arm and causally pluck martinis from a waiter’s tray. They had no problem finding a bursar who enthusiastically embraced his role as waiter, but they were so revved from the dance that they knocked over the drinks and broke the mood. Well, maybe they weren’t quite a pair of unflappable secret agents, but their first dance was as smooth as they come.
We eased into our big band dance getaway on Saturday evening. After everyone had checked in, we met up in the lobby in preparation for our first night out. We quickly noticed two things. First, a lot of people were traveling with their dogs. From a comical pair of bullies to a giant (and super chill) St. Bernard, the lobby was rarely canine free. And second, a giant gingerbread house was being erected just beyond the elevator doors. It looked and smelled so wonderful that Lulu threatened to snag a piece to nibble on. I think they may have her picture in security now.
Once assembled, we proceeded to dinner at the SQZBX, a cozy little pizza joint/microbrewery inhabiting an old radio station. In keeping with the musical theme, the walls were decorated with parts from old musical instruments which we had fun identifying. The food was delicious, and Clara vouched for their house-made hard cider. Next time I’m going prepared to try a flight of their specialties.
SQBX
After dinner we ambled down the street to the Maxwell Blade Theater for a magic show. Due to my almost phobic worry about being late, we were super early. It was too cold to wander around and check out the shops, so we went inside and found our seats (second row center!) and chatted (or napped) as we waited. It was pretty chilly inside too, and the psychedelic projection of Blade’s face floating across the walls may be burned on our retinas forever, but all was redeemed when the show started. Maxwell Blade is a fabulous magician, and funny to boot.
Mystified Young Volunteers
Well-fed and well entertained, we headed back to the Arlington and turned in.
Slow Sunday Vibes
Sunday morning was all about pampering, starting with a hot (really hot) mineral water soak. Then it was into the sauna before being swaddled in hot wet towels (unexpectedly comforting) for a nice little rest. And finally, after every muscle was relaxed, it was time for a massage. Ahh! Bliss.
After all that pampering, it was time to fuel up. The Arlington’s dining room is elegantly appointed at any time, but in late November it also as serious Christmas vibes. Live music by Jacob Flores added to the relaxed mood as we tucked into the enormous brunch buffet. And there was truly something for everyone, from fluffy omelets to juicy prime rib, and of course, decadent desserts.
Miles of Food
A Poinsettia in Every Window
After brunch? The crew seemed pretty evenly split between napping and exploring the wooded trails behind the hotel.
Tripping the Light Fantastic
As 3:00 drew near, our merry band drifted into the Crystal Ballroom fully relaxed, properly fueled, and ready to dance. There were several regulars there already (warming up and catching up) and quite a few of them came by our table to chat and make us feel welcome.
Looking Good!
In preparation for the trip I’d made sure everyone reviewed foxtrot because that’s usually the bulk of what is played by a dance orchestra. Well not this time! There were a few of course, but also lots of rumbas, swings, and slow-lounges, as well as a nice sprinkling of other ballroom dances. Really, the Stardust Big Band is a dancer’s dream. Of course our folks took advantage of the lovely music and complemented it with great dancing.
The Smile Says it All
Hand Change Behind the Back
So Happy Together
Bustin’ a Move
There was one odd encounter that I can’t resist recounting. An older fellow stopped by our table while returning to his seat. Without acknowledging anyone else he said to Lulu, “Man are you gorgeous!” Then he glanced at Brandon, added, “Are you with him?”, and just walked away. After a beat of stunned silence, we all laughed (and teased Brandon a little), but sheesh! Brandon is handsome, smart, interesting, successful, and an all-around nice guy, so yes Mr. Hawaiian shirt, she is definitely with him!
Winding Down
After returning to our rooms briefly to change (back into pumpkins?), we reconvened once again and headed out with plans to dine at a restaurant overlooking Lake Hamilton. Alas it was not to be. Even though I had contacted them and been assured no reservation was necessary, they could not fit us in for at least an hour (near closing time), and we were not inclined to wait. It turned out fine though because this is an easygoing and resourceful group and we soon had a plan B. Props to Steve for finding Rolando’s, an Ecuadorian restaurant right across from our hotel. The ambiance was charming, the staff was welcoming, the food was fantastic, and of course, the company was delightful.
A Final Thought
Lulu and Brandon had been with us on our last trip to Hot Springs, so they knew what to expect, but this was Clara and Steve’s first trip with the studio. At one point during the dance I leaned over and asked Clara if it was what she’d expected, and with stars in her eyes she said, “Oh, it’s even more!” And that sums up our weekend perfectly.
We’d love to have you join in the fun, so be sure to check our New & Events page regularly. Better yet, sign up for our newsletter, What’s Happening At Cat’s Ballroom, and get information about special events and classes sent right to your inbox.
And remember, your first lesson with us is free, so why not try one today?
First dances get all the focus, but father-daughter dances are just as important. [More on mother-son dances later.] While not literally the last time you’ll dance with your dad, it does symbolize a transition to a new phase of your life, and he will probably be feeling a whole range of emotions. Honor the moment by approaching it in a thoughtful way.
You could be swing on a star.
Choosing a Song
The first step toward a great father-daughter dance is picking a song. Is there one that has meaning for the two of you? A while back we choreographed a foxtrot to Swinging of a Star because the bride’s father used to sing it to her, and then she sang it to her little girl. It was lovely. Maybe you don’t have a specific song, but you both love punk rock. Go for it. Or perhaps pick a hit from the year you were born. The point is, there are no wrong choices, so do what feels right for you.
Once you’ve picked the perfect song, be prepared to sacrifice some of it. Either have it edited or ask the DJ to fade it out at a certain point. Keep it fun, entertaining, and short. Around a minute and a half is perfect.
Making waves with Dad.
Feelings, Wo Oh Oh Feelings
Generally (sexism alert!), weddings are planned by the women in the family. Choosing the song and practicing together is a good way to make your father feel more included, and chances are he’ll jump at the chance to spend time with you.
It doesn’t matter how manly, confident, or accomplished your father is in other parts of his life, dancing in front f people may terrify him (another good reason to keep the song short). If he does seem nervous, consider taking lessons together. There’s nothing like preparation to build confidence. You might also consider having the mother-son dance at the same time to take some of the spotlight off the two of you.
One more thing to keep in mind, many dads get a bit overcome if the song is slow and sentimental, so if you want to avoid waterworks, pick something up tempo.
More dads for more fun.
Lessons & Logistics
If you do decide to take lessons together (highly recommended in my opinion), you can keep it simple with 2 or 3 moves on repeat or go full out with dazzling choreography. Decide together what you want (he may surprise you) and then just have fun with it.
It’s a little tricky if your parents live in a different area, but in my experience most fathers are willing to come into town once or twice before the wedding for something so important. And if your mother and fiancé learn the moves too, you can practice even when you’re apart.
Finally, when you finish the dance, avoid the temptation to rush off to the next thing (even if it’s cake). Let your father walk you off the floor properly, give him a hug, and savor the moment.
Our 2022 Winter Show had two Santas and a Grinch! The guys were cool, the ladies were hot, and the dancing was awesome. Who could ask for more?
So much Christmasy bodaciousness!
When “Santa Claus Wants Some Loving”, he goes all out to woo Mrs. Claus. Based on her attire, it looked like Mrs. Claus wanted some loving too, so it was no surprise that Kayla and Brian ended up under the mistletoe at the end of their saucy West Coast swing.
Hammerlock Time
Surprise Tuck
Heel-Toe Swivels
Santa Claus Wooing with a West Coast Swing
“We Wanna See Santa Do the Mambo” is a campy old song that’s loads of fun. Lulu and Brandon went all in (including full Santa and Mrs. Claus costumes) and their fresh and flirty energy was infectious. An exciting full body drop at the end really put it over the top.
The Hop Makes the Move
Take That Santa!
Crossover Breaks
Santa & Mrs. Claus Do the Mambo
When it comes to Christmas, Colleen is all sleigh bells and fairy dust, while John is decidedly bah humbug. That made “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch the perfect choice for them to show off their foxtrot skills. I’m not sure if Colleen was Max or Cindy Lou Who, but she handled the Grinch’s shenanigans well.
Kick Those Long Legs!
Flip Flop
A Grinchy Oblique Line
A Grinchy Foxtrot
And of course, as always, we really appreciate the friends, family, and fellow dancers who turned out to cheer everyone on and do some dancing of their own.
The Friends and Family Cheering Section
And Plenty of General Dancing
We’d love to have you join in the fun, so be sure to check our New & Events page regularly. Better yet, sign up for our newsletter, What’s Happening At Cat’s Ballroom, and get information about special events and classes sent right to your inbox.
And remember, your first lesson with us is free, so why not try one today?
Cat Tracks is an ongoing (and sporadic) series that features the students of Cat’s Ballroom and Memphis art installations. For Cat Tracks No. 3 we headed to the Memphis Sign on Mud Island. The sign was created for the Memphis River Parks Partnership by Tylur French (owner of Youngblood Studio), and the huge letters are clearly visible to anyone coming across the I-40 bridge into Memphis.
The Cat Tracks Crew
I love my students for a lot of reasons, one of which is that they’re usually up for anything. It came as no surprise then, that when I asked them to meet on Mud Island so we could film them dancing in front of the big Memphis sign, quite a few of them showed up ready to rock (or rumba, as the case may be). I also asked them to wear bright colors, which interestingly resulted in all the ladies wearing pink, and all the men ignoring me and opting for earth tones.
Scott & Nancy
Colleen & John
Brian & Kayla
Brandon & Kareem
Jesse & Cat
Generally, the tourists seemed unfazed by us as we were warming up and waiting for late arrivals, but once we spread out and really got going, everyone stayed clear of us. We weren’t there long though, so hopefully we didn’t ruin anyone’s vacation photo op.
One of our regulars was sick that day (We missed you Lulu!), but her partner brought a friend instead, and together with Jesse, they formed a slightly haphazard salsa line. We also rotated all the partners so that every leader got to dance with every follower at least once. Fun!
Tourists don’t care!
A quick salsa lesson for the guys.
The song we used, Beautiful Day by Jonathan Roy, was pretty open to interpretation. In the videos you’ll see rumba, push-pull swing, west coast swing, samba, Argentine tango (ridiculously difficult on grass), and salsa. You’ll also see me running in and out of frame because I forgot I could use the remote.
Cat Tracks No. 3 | Memphis Sign
(The good, the bad, and the ugly!)
Scott & Nancy
John & Colleen
Brian & Kayla
They’re a hot mess, but they’re cute!
Once we wrapped on the filming and pictures, we headed on over to the River Terrace Inn for and “after party”. Indulging in cocktails, nibbles, a glorious sunset, and a lot of good conversation was the perfect way to end Cat Tracks No. 3 (Memphis sign edition), and everyone seemed to have a great time.
My Little Ducklings
The View Didn’t Disappoint
So Relaxing
Accidental Twinsies
We’d love to have you join in the fun, so be sure to check our New & Events page regularly. Better yet, sign up for our newsletter, What’s Happening At Cat’s Ballroom, and get information about special events and classes sent right to your inbox.
And remember, your first lesson with us is free, so why not try one today?
We love offering free outdoor dance classes in downtown Memphis, and our 2022 community dance classes were no exception. Beautiful locations, great people, and plenty of fun – who could ask for more?
2022 Community Dance Classes in Downtown Memphis
Spring was all about swing, and boy did we have fun. It was a bit chilly for the first one in March, but the night was still wonderful with an enthusiastic group, a gorgeous sunset, and a marvelous light show from the bridge in the background. We’re not talking about April (don’t ask), but May was extra exciting. One of the participants asked Jesse to record he and his girlfriend dancing, but unbeknownst to anyone, what he was really trying to capture was a proposal! Yup, dropped down on one knee right in the middle of everything. Very romantic.
March | Fourth Bluff Park
May | Fourth Bluff Park
In the fall we decided to mix things up a bit, starting with cha cha in September. Hot night, hot dance, and hot dancers – fabulous. In October we went back to swing and had a big turnout with lots of energy. The music must have been good too, because even a passing dog walker started bopping along to it. In November we had two offerings to wrap up our 2022 community dance classes. First Wiseacre Brewery kindly hosted a swing class as part of the Fieldaze lineup of events. There were plenty of willing participants on the stage, and quite a few spectators enjoying the show. Some of them even joined in with a little encouragement. And of course the year wouldn’t be complete without at least one salsa class. Although we were originally planning to use Fourth Bluff Park as usual, a last-minute scheduling snafu shifted us to The River Garden. We got the word out though and had a huge turnout. Shout out to the early arrivals that helped move tables and chairs to make space. And although the park is beautiful and the string lights are quite magical, if there’s a next time we’ll definitely find out how to turn on the lights in the pavilion!
September | Fourth Bluff Park
October | Fourth Bluff Park
November | Wiseacre
November | The River Garden
We’d love to have you join in the fun, so be sure to check ourNew & Eventspage regularly. Better yet, sign up for our newsletter, What’s Happening At Cat’s Ballroom, and get information about special events and classes sent right to your inbox.
And remember, your first lesson with us is free, so why not try one today?
Sara and Ben’s first dance was not meant to happen, and yet…
…it turned out beautifully. You see, when Sara asked Ben if he would dance with her at their wedding, he said no. And he continued to say no until she finally wore him down and he agreed to 30 seconds. Well Sara took that victory and ran with it, and next thing Ben knew, he was taking dance lessons! To say there was a little resistance to start is a gross understatement.
Despite that, once we began he did quite well, and although he liked to play the curmudgeon, I think he almost started to enjoy himself. Even if he didn’t, I know it was worth it to see her so happy. There’s a part in the middle of the choreography when they separate briefly, and the deeply loving look he always gave her as he returned said a lot more than his grumbling ever could.
A beautiful first dance is something you’ll cherish forever, and taking lessons to prepare for it is a worthwhile investment of time and money. Here are a few simple things to keep in mind to get the most out of the experience.
Will your first dance be this much fun?
Start early. You’ve probably heard this before, but it bears repeating. Start taking lessons at least 3-4 months before the wedding. You may not need that much time to learn your choreography, but the more practice you can get in before the big day, the more relaxed and confident you’ll be. Plus, when you don’t feel pressured by a tight timeline, your lessons will feel more like fun date nights.
So much chemistry!
Record any new moves or choreography at the end of each lesson to use as a reference for practice. You’ll also be able to see that you’re making progress, and more importantly, your future children will love it.
You can’t learn this at the last minute!
Practice! No one can do it for you and it’s the only way you’ll improve. Being consistent with practice will also reduce the number of lessons you’ll need to take. Frequency is key, and fitting in 5 or 10 minutes every day is vastly preferable to trying to find an hour or two on the weekend.
Dancing together is fun!
Keep your lessons close together if you can. You’ll learn and build a sense of accomplishment more quickly. It’ll also make you diligent about practicing, because let’s be honest, you’re a lot less likely to procrastinate if you have a lesson in two days rather than two weeks.
This is what confidence looks like!
Wear the shoes you’ll be using for the wedding (or ones that are similar) so you can get used to dancing in them. This is particularly important if they are very different in style from what you usually wear.
Dancing is romantic!
Schedule a final lesson the week of the wedding. It’ll boost your confidence by ensuring that your choreography is fresh in your mind. If you can, also run through your first dance at the venue ahead of time so you have a clear sense of the orientation and space.
On Friday, September 16, we staged our first show since before the pandemic, and it was fantastic!
This was everyone’s first show, and I don’t think they really knew what they were getting themselves into.
First up were Lulu and Brandon. Their sexy rumba to I Like You (A Happier Song) by Post Malone and Doja Cat really set the bar for the evening. Lulu’s family even got to come and cheer her on during her first performance. I’m not sure if that made them more or less nervous, but either way, they did a great job.
On deck next were Kayla and Brian with a flirty swing to Lizzo’s It’s About Damn Time. They both attended art school however, so they are pretty used to being in the spotlight and brought a lot of personality and flair to their number.
Colleen and John closed out the show beautifully with a challenging Viennese waltz to Hold My Hand by Lady Gaga. We had choreographed the first dance for their wedding, so technically it may not have been their first “show”. John said this was harder though, because at least at the wedding there was champagne.
We’d love to have you join in the fun, so be sure to check ourNew & Eventspage regularly. Better yet, sign up for our newsletter, What’s Happening At Cat’s Ballroom, and get information about special events and classes sent right to your inbox.
And remember, your first lesson with us is free, so why not try one today?
