Are you getting married soon and thinking about having wedding dance lessons?

Take a peek at our Top 5 First Dance Tips to help you get started:

1. Chose a song which both you and your partner really enjoy listening to! Every time it comes on the radio it will always be ‘your’ song so you want to make sure you like it!

2. Decide beforehand what style you would like the routine. A traditional slow dance? Would you like to invite the guests to join you at the end? Or how about a group dance medley?

3. Allow enough time and plan ahead. You don’t want to panic a week before and cram in the lessons! That makes it stressful for you both and you won’t enjoy the sessions.

4. Document your process so you can see how you improve over the sessions. Filming what you have learnt is not only a great resource and visual aid to help you practice, it is also a lovely momento.

5. Practice the dance in your wedding shoes. It can feel very different dancing in heels and smooth soled shoes if you have previously been practicing in trainers or similar. To put you at ease and help bed in your shoes take them along to the lessons.

DSL provides professional, friendly and fun wedding dance lessons. If you’d like to discuss your requirements or ask for our advice please do not hesitate to contact us 0113 242 1550!

Joining thousands of other dancers all across the country, the attempt started at 1pm with everyone performing the same routine on the same date and time. Tap dancers aged 18-80yrs all took part from a multitude of groups including Leeds University students, and an over 45yrs group taught by Kim Glassby.

The official organisers of the Tapathon, The Performers Project, first set up the event in 2010 with the support of BBC’s Children in Need, and has been running annually ever since. The record current stands at 7,596 people and this year they were hoping to get together 10,000 children, young people, and adults nationwide taking part.

The results have not been released yet but here’s hoping that Leeds’ contribution will help reach their target.

If you fancy a go at Tap Dancing we hold weekly drop in beginners tap dancing classes on Tuesdays 7.15pm.

Sunday 15th July 2012 10-5pm Millennium Square, Leeds

A year into our DSL Youth Troupe we thought we’d ask Zoe, one of the orinigal members, her thoughts on the last year….. 

My first year in the DSL youth group has been one of the best dance opportunities I have been involved in. I first met Katie just over a year ago at a community event in Leeds where I approached her stall and she said to me ‘you look like a commercial dancer, come to some of our workshops’. I was flattered and excited because I had never done any commercial and proper hip-hop dancing before. From then on I went to numerous workshops, working with the likes of Caramel, and Ess green (A Team) who really pushed me and gave me an eye opener to more of the dancing world. A couple of months after, Katie announced that she was starting up a youth group so I went along to their first meeting. I have never looked back since.
 
The thing I enjoy most about the youth group is the fact that we do so many performances in and around Leeds. These have included ‘Champagne and Chic 1 and 2’-fashion shows hosted by Jojo from capital radio, dancing in BBC’s ‘Born To Shine’ roadshow infront of some members from Diversity! And quite a few daytime performances on Briggate and in Millenium Square. Katie always keeps it exciting by introducing new routines in different styles –house, musical, hip hop- and these are always challenging but so fun to perform and show off to different audiences around Leeds.

This year we took a trip to MOVE IT in London, the famous dance exhibition where we met the likes of Adam Garcia and even Gareth Gates! We went along with other youth groups from the area who have now become our friends and we see them at most of our performances which make them even more fun to take part in.
 
I know that I only have 1 more year left with the youth group before I hopefully go to study dance in London, but it is something that I will always remember doing and will miss so much when I move away. Thankyou Katie.

So what’s involved? We’re inviting dance groups and individuals to choreograph to our SAUCE dance track to see the way you take on the Latin music and make it your own! Whatever your style, whether you’re a ballet dancer or a hip hop dancer, a troupe or soloist, it doesn’t matter! 
 
To enter email katie@thedancestudioleeds.com or call 0113 242 1550 and we will send you the entry form, music and further competiton details.

Deadline for entries is 17th May 2012!

Competition Date: 25th May 2012 10pm onwards
Venue: Empire 24-32 Bridge End, LS1 4DJ

Please note all participants must be over the age of 18yrs!

Thank you and we look forward to receiving your entry form!

On the 17th March 2012 we shall be hitting the streets of Leeds raising money for Candlelighters, a Yorkshire based charity who provide essential services and support to children with cancer and their families.

We’ve joined forces with Salsa Dance Leeds and The Dance Company UK to put together a fun dance routine which we will be performing on Briggate throughout the day.

If you would like to help support us and raise as much money as possible for this fantastic charity, you can donate online by visiting Just Giving.

*Due to the bad weather we unfortunately had to cancel the 17th March but we will shortly be setting a rescheduled date for the diary!*

The Flashmob was to celebrate the launch of the Christmas menu at Red Hot World Buffet Restaurant, so dressed the part in the restaurants t-shirts, the dancers made their preparations and hid amongst the crowd ready to start.

The music started, the dancers threw off their coats to reveal the t-shirts and the place lit up with the energy and infectious tunes of Hairspray and Glee!

The crowd loved it and good fun was had by all especially the dancers who then all got treated to a free meal in the restaurant- fab way to round off the evening! And the food was delicious!

Massive thank you to all the dancers for your hard work: Nicole, Milly, Cara, Emma, Esther, Krystal, Bianca, Felicity, Laura, Claire, Katie, Johnny, Jay, and Genevieve!

Keep your eyes peeled for the video coming soon!

Photo Credits: Burhan Saeed.

Tuesday 20th December 5-6.30pm @ DSL

Hot topics, heated debates, steaming conversation in a simmering atmosphere.

Freshly brewed is a fun, friendly social event for dancers, artists, teachers, and organisations from all backgrounds to meet face to face with some mulled wine and a mince pie in hand.

This unique relaxed environment is the perfect place to meet and network with local dance enthusiasts, catch up with peers as well as share ideas, plans and opportunities. Whatever your background this free event is open to all, from undergraduates to established professionals.  

No need to RSVP just put the date in your diary, invite your friends and we’ll see you there. Please feel free to bring along any promotional material you would like to display on the day.

The Dance Studio Leeds is very excited to be part of the Yelp Leeds food fair on 24th November 7pm-9.30pm at the Corn Exchange! It’s free to attend and there will be lots of fabulous treats and tasty bites to try! See the full event details below:

Now then you lucky folks of Leeds!

Fancy a chance to SAMPLE SOMETHING SCRUMMY AT YELP’S FOODIE FAIR?

Well then, we’ve got rather exciting news to share! On the 24th November 2011, from 7pm-9.30pm, we’re holding a humungous yelper party event at the Corn Exchange. What does that mean? Basically, some of Leeds’ and Yorkshire’s finest eateries and drinkeries will be offering up a myriad of mini delicious delights for you to sample at your leisure during the evening, all entirely for FREE.

Think of it as Yelp’s own foodie festival, where you can sup on some fantastic samples, in a one-off tasting event at this exclusive party. The event will be in support of the fantastic St. Gemma’s Hospice, and the wonderful work that they do here in Leeds, so each table will have a collection tin for those that wish to give a little something back.

There will also be some exclusive entertainment during the night, courtesy of The Dance Studio Leeds, who will be fascinating us with their footwork – so get your smart phones ready as you won’t want to miss a beat…

More exciting announcements will be made as we get closer to the date, so do watch this space, but just to get your taste buds going here’s a list of the fabulous folks that will be offering up their fantastic fare:

- #Brownies
- Appleton Estate Rum
- The Bespoke Cupcakes
- Brewdog Beer
- The Cheerful Chilli
- Fabulously Fudgey
- Gerry’s Wine and Spirits
- Giorgio’s
- The Greedy Pig
- Indie Ices
- Lounge Bar & Grill
- Olive Tree
- Sunshine Bakery
- Seve XO
- Stroh 40%
- Stroh 80%
- Wray & Nephew
- Xanté Pear Liqueur

The best news of all? ANYONE can come to a yelper party – all you need do is RSVP to get a wrist-pass! So if you want in, go ahead and hit the RSVP button to reserve yourself a space. Those of you who don’t have a Yelp profile… Go ahead and get one to nab a name on the guest list! It takes literally seconds to sign up as soon as you click RSVP on here

Tell your friends, loved ones, family and colleagues – you won’t want to miss it!

Any questions or comments, please contact Rowena H, the event organiser and Leeds Community Manager at  leeds@yelp.co.uk.

REMEMBER REMEMBER THE 24TH NOVEMBER – A NIGHT YOU WON’T FORGET!

AND! Of course, for the Twittersphere:

#yelpexchange

And what a fabulous evening it was… Click on the links to see the Blog and Pictures from the event!

Now you can!

Our Membership will be launching on the 19^th September with a special introductory price for one week only!

Membership Benefits include:

• Class and course discounts*
• 10% off DSL workshops
• 10% off DSL merchandise
• 20% off studio hire Monday-Friday 9-5pm.
• Receive the DSL newsletter
• Local Business Discounts (inc: events, hair dressers, masseuse and more)
• 50% off a trial Wedding Dance Lesson (for your use or give to a friend)

*Participating Classes only.

FREE DSL Bag for all members and a personalised Members Card!

Adults - £22

NUS and Under 16yrs – £18

50% off if you buy in the first week 19^th-25^th September!

For further details and to purchase online visit our Membership Page.