On Mondays, at the studio in Decatur,

beginners will learn to move to Latin music

and enjoy dancing to the rhythms.

We start with a rumba or slow salsa tune

to get the 3 count rhythm, then we move into some salsa basics and patterns that you can take to the dancefloor.

We end with a merengue and often a simple bachata -

and you are ready to join us at Pura Vida Tapas on

the third Friday each month: Feb 20 and March 20.

Shirley is teaching Mondays at 7pm at the Studio in Decatur.

You can ‘drop in’ for $12 a class

or $40 gets you the whole month of classes.

Check out the calendar at www.comeoutdancing.com

or email shirley@comeoutdancing.com with questions..

Waltz is arguably the most romantic dance you can invite someone to do with you.

It’s three beat (actually six beat ) rhythm is easy for some dancers – because it so much like walking.

This Friday we will learn a simple side sway and review the twinkle step for the improvers and beginners will learn the basics.

Every third Friday after class, some of us head to Pura Vida Tapas for some salsa, merengue and bachata.

So our second hour this Friday will focus on latin rhythms and you will see how the three waltz steps can help you learn salsa and rumba more quickly.

Cost for this evening is a sliding scale fee of $7 to $15 – depending on your personal economy right now.

We meet at the studio next to Raging Burrito, Several Dancers Core, on the Square in Decatur.

Meet us for Supper at 6:30pm at Sage on Sycamore just a couple doors down.

Saturday, February 21, at 8pm Shirley teaches a two step class for beginners.

The dance venue is the country western bar called ‘3 Legged Cowboy‘ but some of us still call it “Hoedowns”.

It is next to Trader Joe’s in Midtown.

The dance floor is terrific and the sound system is too.

After the lesson, you can dance to new and old country tunes.

I will teach the basic rhythm in open and closed position and then depending on the students, we will either learn the ‘belt loops’ pattern or a couples turn.

Be ready to dance. And be sure to say thank you to Sheila and Deana, the owners, for the free lesson.

Note: this is a gay venue but you will find it welcoming to men and women, gay and straight and dancers of all skill levels.

The photo is not about dance but about country singers who ’step outside the lines’:

(Shelby Lynne, Willie Nelson & Shooter Jennings). Thanks to Vanity Fair for the image.

On Mondays, at the studio in Decatur,

beginners will learn to move to Latin music

and enjoy dancing to the rhythms.

We start with a rumba or slow salsa tune

to get the 3 count rhythm, then we move into some salsa basics and patterns that you can take to the dancefloor.

We end with a merengue and often a simple bachata -

and you are ready to join us at Pura Vida Tapas on

The third Friday each month: Feb 20 and March 20.

Shirley is teaching Mondays at 7pm. Cost is $40 for the month or $12 per class.

There is no advanced class at 8pm.

Check out the calendar at www.comeoutdancing.com

If you want happy, light hearted music for Valentines, Elise Will and Mick Kinney

have put together a great night of live music and dancing

for Saturday Feb. 14 at 7pm.

For the Valentine’s Dance in Pine Lake, Bill Rutan on Jazz banjo will be joined by fellow Hotlanta Dixieland  Jazz members,

Don Erdman (clarinet & sax), L.A. Tuten (acoustic bass), and pianist Mick Kinney .
Shirley will lead a beginning swing dance class before the music starts.

Class at 7pm. Music at 8pm. Turn off of Rockbridge Road onto Clubhouse Drive

and you will see the clubhouse a couple of blocks down.

Cost is $8 at the door and you can BYOB if you like.

The lucky ones will be dancing on Friday the 13th

The night before Valentines is, yes, Friday the 13th.

Come out for a waltz lesson with us at 8pm then dance for two hours to a special playlist.

I call this night the ‘Broken Hearts’ Valentine Dance.

All the songs will be about Lost Love.

Is that about as appealing as cold pizza?

I realize a waltz lesson then dancing to songs about ‘lost love’ may be a bit much for a Friday.

But some of my favorite songs for dancing are about break ups – the good the bad and the ugly ones.

My first favorite was in high school: “You’ve lost that loving feeling” by the Righteous Brothers.

Then of course: Roy Orbison (and later KD Lang) with “Crying”

And Roberta Flack “ Where is the Love?”

And on and on.

So when I thought of Valentines – I thought of the creative power that accompanies a break up –

Just like that power of falling in love.

Come alone or with a friend But be sure to bring your sense of humor.

BYOB. If you are going to cry in your beer this night, you must bring your own beer!

Cost for this evening is $12. But if your stimulus package has not kicked in yet, ask Shirley for a sliding scale fee.

We meet at the studio next to Raging Burrito, Several Dancers Core, on the Square in Decatur.

And special thanks to DJ Perry Ellis for the albums of his favorite “Broken Heart Melodies” spanning the last 50 years.

If you are willing to dance, you do not need the chocolates, the flowers or the dinner reservations

Just say: “Would you like to dance with me?”

“Quieras bailar conmigo?”

“Voulez vous danser avec moi?”

or extend your hand and smile…

Waltzing is romantic and often the rhythms are easy to hear.

This Friday, Feb. 13, come out  to Several Dancers Core Studios

at 8pm and learn enough waltz to take a deep breath and say,

“Would you like to dance?”.

Stay  after class for the “Broken Hearts Valentine Dance”. (Details Below)

We will  learn how waltz is like – pizza – I mean salsa!

Cost is $12 for the lesson and the dance. (discounts available – ask Shirley).

No partner needed. We have those at the studio!

BYOB if you like.