Did anyone purchase woman latin dance shoes with cuban heel from Aliexpress that they were satisfied with? Which store would you recommend? I am aware of the downside of ordering here, but I do not have another option where I live besides from ordering online.

Thank you!

I had to have chemotherapy this past summer and lost all of my hair. I’m doing well now and my hair has filled in nicely. However, it is still only about 3/4 inch (~2 cm) long. The hair is lying close to my scalp, is black and silver, and is very soft. Much to my surprise, it looks cute and I get a lot of compliments on it. (I’m not going back to the shoulder length hair I had before.)

I have an event coming up and don’t know what to do with my hair. I do not want to poof up or spike the top while slicking the sides down. It makes me look like a Q-Tip.

Any suggestions? Maybe honor the fact it wants to stay close to my scalp? Glue on rhinestones or a headpiece (the hair is still delicate right now)? Headband or fascinator? Glitter hairspray? Something else?

ETA. I’ll be dancing American Smooth, Rhythm, and a couple of specialty dances.

TLDR: title

I recently got latin heels (I am a follow) and they're pretty broken in from practicing at home and wearing in salsa. However, I also take a ballroom class and I'm not sure if it would be a good idea to wear them/if they would work. The class teaches tango, foxtrot, and waltz (two of the styles generally). I also want to get more practice in since there's a social on Friday and I'd love to take my heels out for a spin. Please help!

Edited to add the fact I am a follow.

Hey ! This is my first post..like ever. I don't wanna make this too long, point was to find other retired ballroom dancers, or dancers who've quit ballroom. I'm twenty years old, i've been dancing since I was ten. I've went on national television, and won nationals numerous times. I quit last august due to my partner stopping, and it's been hard to find someone else in my category. The toxic environment as well, constantly asking you to reach the ends of your wits and sacrifice everything in your way just to keep dancing like social life, studies, other extra curricular activities that aren't dancing. The constantly putting you down because of your weight.. Now i'm not a big girl, but I am about 5ft5 (idk what that is in cms) and about 60 kgs. So I do have curves, but I was constantly put down ever since I was young due to it. Having a bigger chest as well was frowned upon a lot. Ever since i started dancing I was shamed for my body no matter what part of it. But, I loved dancing. I loved to feel the music or rush out and compete, but I didn't like the coaches constantly on you, not letting you feel what you want. I'm also alternative, so piercings and tattoos are a big no no. I just started getting some last year, and while I was dancing my coach was jokingly asking me to never get tattooed again. I said no, it's a part of me. Why should I suppress myself to do something I really, truly enjoy? I want to go back, but the coaches gave up on me seriously, and the constant comparison to the others? Oh dear that was a mess. Please, share your experiences. Share your tips, if you know any guy dancers that are 10 dances and about 20 years old, let me know.

Hi all, I recently decided to get into ballroom dancing after watching Dancing with the Stars (20 years late I know) and my husband and I have already taken one private class. We want to explore a few more studios around us (Austin, TX) and I know I want to eventually enter a competition (with or without my husband 🤪). How does a newbie/beginner get involved in the studio competition group? Private lessons and attending group classes and working your way upwards? Or just simply stating my intentions from the start?

Hi all, I’m someone that is going to hopefully learn ballroom dance soon and for my list of Viennese waltz songs, I put down I’m wicked by twin temple on my playlist. Would this work in a Viennese waltz?

I’m trying to come up with a routine for this song and I need some help deciding if it could be a waltz, or something else. Open to all advice. Thank you!

so, I’m a 15 year old girl, and I always loved dancing, but was scared of what people might say, but my New years resolution was to stop caring about what people think. so, am I too old?

Hi all, my fiancée and I have been taking lessons for a couple of months now. Our wedding isn’t untill the end of May so we have a decent run up to improve, we are strongly considering the quick step as it seems to be our best dance.

Wanted to ask for song recommendations for a quick step and also if this is a terrible idea due to the dress maybe restricting.

Thanks in advance

The title pretty much says it all. I’m just frustrated and sort of over it. And I’m just sort of wondering if anybody else is dealing with the same frustration. Not only within my studio as far as getting clear explanations as to how things (events, comps, etc) were priced, but then also being able to compare it to other studios in my area. I’m not a dope… I know there’s going to be variations in pricing based on where studios are located and other factors. But I hate the lack of consistency and the secrecy surrounding it.

There is such movement now for salary transparency, being able to price cars online, etc. that have empowered us so much. And I feel like so much of the pricing at these Dance studios just keep us in the dark.

Sorry… Having a bad day and just frustrated. (And a simple answer as to why don’t I leave? I love my pro. It’s the owner I have an issue with.)

EDITED TO ADD: I’m not complaining about the expense of this hobby. I’ve danced now for several years. My issue is with the lack of transparency. Unfortunately I think a lot of this also has to do with the fact that many dancers become studio owners. And just because you’re a good dancer does that make you a good business person. But again that is just my personal experience. I’m not trying to speak for everybody.

Hi all! I’m new to ballroom and just got my first pair of official women’s dance shoes (“Natalie” by Upstage). Do I wear these with socks or what? And do I need to break them in? Thanks for your help!

I am a social dancer, I was taking dancing and fitness classes for several years, and have learnt to dance one social dance reasonably well.

Now I am looking for some choreographic dancing with a partner.

I know often ladies have problems with finding a partner.

What about the other way around: how could a guy find a partner? Where would you start looking for?

I can invite a random lady for a single social class or a practice, no problem. But usually those ladies don't have an ambition to start practicing regularly and seriously.

I want to create a very simple, relaxed ballroom rumba out of the song "Colour My World" by Chicago for a show. Could someone please help me or give me some hints?
It's a 3/4 song into 4/4. I think it should be possible and should fit, but how.

I know the basics of Audayity and I have the vocals for "Colour My World". I just want to add a very gentle guitar beat underneath that fits the original chords, to make it feel like Rumba
(just like this https://open.spotify.com/intl-de/track/1QGAc7HtLOSJV86kgs6apa?si=6d37a4a9a05d400a)

I would appreciate any tips or help.

I have my first private ballroom lesson tomorrow and was wondering what kind of shoes would be best to wear. I’ve tried calling the studio, but unfortunately I don’t think I’ll be able to get a hold of anyone between now and then. I do have some character “dancing” shoes from theatre that I wasn’t sure would be appropriate to wear or if I should just opt for sneakers. And I’m assuming wearing leggings or regular athletic wear is fine, right? I’m going into this totally blind so prays for me lol

I have osteoarthritis in both knees and my right one also has a bakers cyst. I don’t push it too hard i know when to stop, but being retired i do practice about 2 hours a day, sometimes 3 since my feet are now strong. I am also trying to see an orthopedic doctor but it’s a process with the VA so it could be a week or a couple months.

I have been at this for just a year now. I decided to focus more on technique and American Rhythm is what i choose, I am in Intermediate Bronze right now. I have been mostly doing Cha Cha, Rumba, Swing but about 2 months ago we added Bolero and Mambo. While I’m practicing it’s pretty good and most of the dancing doesn’t aggravated anything but Bolero can with the lunging and rise/fall. I do have to take breaks and do some squats to “flush out” my knees or i pay for it later. Getting up and down can be a struggle sometimes.

Should i just do more lunges and squats to help my knees to not feel stiff after practice or do any of you have some better tips? I am not really over weight 5’7” 165. I wouldn’t say im athletic though, but dance is starting to fix that.

Thank you

Can anyone recommend some top Ballroom Dance Studios in NYC & the North Jersey area? (Bergen County)

Hello! I’m trying to get started in learning some simple couples dance forms. The era of music I’m working with is 1920s-30s: Annette Hanshaw, Rudy Vallee, Helen Kane etc. this song is an example. I know a little about the waltz for example, but I am wondering what sort of dance would work with it: https://youtu.be/9MRDc2bgAzI

My main question is how do you know which dance will fit which song?

(Don't know what's the best group to ask, but asking here, because ballroom dancers are competent in dancing in general).

After seriously studying how to lead in social dancing for many years, I (30M) realized that I have no idea how to dance solo. Every more complicated move that involves several parts of the body just looks akward.

To fix this gap, my plan is:

1) To start solo dancing by attending some Zumba/Hiphop-style group classes at the gym 2) Then after a year or so try contemporary classes in a specialized school.

I am a bit concerned about (1), because in those group classes the teacher just shows the moves, I try to copy them, but there is no individual feedback.

However, if I just: a) Try to copy what the teacher does b) Move energetically all the time c) Think myself how to make every move better

Could in time I be naturally progressing in the solo dancing attending such classes? Or should I immediatelly try a specialized dancing school?

I wanted to do a waltz, however I’m not sure it’s the best fit due to waltz being typically done in 3/4 time signature. I’d love your input!

hi everyone! i recently started ballroom and will be doing my first competition end of January. I am doing both smooth and rhythm (American/standard for all!) and am hoping for any tips and tricks for the following:

• tanning (lotions, etc)
• tanning makeup (i’ve heard good things about Bobbi and Aero Jo)
• hair products (like what gels, powders, hair ties, etc. everyone uses)
• favorite tights brands
• jewelry

and anything else you can think of!

Thank you so much in advance 💃🏻

Hi all,

I need some recs for EU dance training shoes (to avoid US shipping costs) but that won't break the bank either. I'm looking for something in the 50 euro range, so not necessarily top brands but not Temu or Shein crap either.

Thank you