Think dance classes terrify you? Try taking four in a weekend
Most of us loved dancing when we were kids. I dip my toe in at Melbourneโs Rising festival and rediscover that simple, pure joy As I wait for my first Cuban salsa class to begin, I have the distinct feeling that I am poorly prepared. Iโm wearing heavy jeans, a bulky woollen sweater and boots. I have never done a dance class in my life โ or any kind of exercise class. I donโt know anything about salsa, Cuban or otherwise. Standing alone, I notice that everyone has come with at least one friend, and begin to suspect that it takes two to Cuban salsa. Thereโs no time to find out โ the class is starting. This year, Rising festival โ Melbourneโs winter arts offering โ has consolidated its longstanding dance focus into a mini-festival: the inaugural Australian Dance Biennale, showcasing Australian and international work. Thereโs also a series of dance classes, romantically titled The Land of 1000 Dances, held in the romantically decrepit Flinders Street Ballroom. Running daily until 7 June, with classes costing $29 a pop, the diverse schedule includes Afro-fusion, ballroom, voguing, waltz and K-pop for teens and tweens. Continue reading...