Secrets of the City

Friends in my building swear by Conga Latin Bistro on Thurs and Sat nights. Other friends drive in from the burbs to hit up Picosa on Weds or Saturday nights. These are places we think about for date night.

Another friend loves the scene at Tapestry Folk Dance Center. More power to her.

I don’t dance — why should I? I don’t dance — how could I? I won’t dance, merci beaucoup. I know that music leads the way to romance.

But I hear the Conga is fun.

Scheiks? Oh, wait, you probably don’t mean that kind of dance.

Never mind.

I’ve been to a few Ballet of the Dolls performances. That’s about the only dance I attend.

Personally, I like to shake a leg at the Minnesota Music Cafe and at 4th Street Station (or whatever it’s called nowadays).

I started taking ballroom/latin dance classes in August at the Dancers Studio in St. Paul. It is so much fun! I am so glad I signed up for it. There is a newcomer night tonight at the studio at 8 PM. Everyone should try it out!

My favorite dance troupes are Mad King Thomas, Three Dances, Third Rabbit, James Sewell Ballet & Zenon. I prefer seeing dance concerts at the Southern, the O’Shaugnessy and Intermedia Arts over most other venues.

If a guy says that he likes dance exhibitions that do not involve at least some level of female nudity, he’s a liar.

Dance Troupes? C’mon Scott.

Here’s the only dancing The Rat likes (safe for work).

The Rat can cut a rug once in awhile.

I won’t dance, don’t ask me. I won’t dance, merci beaucoup. I know that music leads the way to romance, so if I hold you in arms I won’t dance.

And that’s final.

I’m not sure if Rat is riffing on my post or just didn’t see it.

And by Rat I mean Kevin.

omg I can’t believe we did that. Great minds! No, I don’t read these comments. I don’t give a d*mn what you all say.

It’s Frank’s world, and we just live in it, humming the ditties he made famous.

Guys, if you want to meet women, there is no better way then to take a group class at a dance studio.

When I moved here 20 years ago, there was only one place to go latin dancing: Amelia’s in Galtier Plaza on Thursday nights. Now there are quite a few venues, although I just heard that Babalú closed its doors. I recommend the Social Dance Studio if you want to learn salsa for club dancing. 4 Seasons Dance Studio and Cinema Ballroom studio are also good value for group classes. Ingrid, The Dancers’ Studio is a great place to learn ballroom or social dances like salsa or swing–I took lessons there for 3-4 years and I love the teachers there!

It has been a while since I’ve been able to do any serious social dancing, but it used to be: swing/rockabilly, any Trailer Trash gig at Lee’s; lindy, late-night swing at Tapestry on Thurs night; Cajun-zydeco at Half-Time Rec on Sunday. The tango crowd has its own milonga circuit, as do the West Coast Swing people; they both tend to be somewhat insular groups, and I don’t always enjoy dropping in, but when I can hook up with a group for West coast/two-step/variety dance, Becky Thompson and Old school is a great band for dancing. They used to play at Lee’s every Monday night, but I’m not sure if they still do. For sheer exercise value, you can’t beat contra dancing at Tapestry, but the relentless smiling sometimes makes my face hurt.
Dang, I gotta get back out there.

i’ll 2nd that, as i have 2 friends that met their wives in ballroom dancing classes. shame on me for thinking that they were just taking the classes in order to let their families know they were gay.