This was just a few nanoseconds of obscure fame here, the TV segment was really about Mary Manzella's Wednesday evening dance parties at Cheek2Cheek!

Source picture © KUSI News
January 18, 2006

This web page was originally private just for me in an abbreviated form. I correctly figured that if I made it public, there would be more benefit. I'm amazed at how many people have come up to me and thanked me for this page since I put my picture here! More importantly, I thank those who have shared their information about the San Diego ballroom dance scene!

This is where I started it all, absolutely no experience needed. As with all of the dance studios and clubs in this section NO DANCE PARTNER IS NECESSARY, it is perfectly fine to come by yourself, male or female!

Dance Club. Non-profit organization. The ballroom at the Balboa Park Club building is huge, 180 x 72 feet with about 11,000 square feet of danceable area.

Two dances at three experience levels are taught each month, simultaneously, on a roughly four month rotation. Most of the Ballroom, Latin and Club dances are taught during the four month rotation.
--- Beginner taught by John Nagel & Lisa Duncan. Very frequent rotation of partners; age range high school to geezers. Remember that the classes for a particular dance begin on the first Friday / Sunday of the month and run through the course of the month.
--- Intermediate taught by Stephen Showers [new instructor, announced April 21, 2006]. Frequent rotation of partners. Request to be on email list for dance syllabus.
--- Advanced taught by Yolanda Vargas. Most couples paired, little or no rotation of partners. Some dancers have been attending the advanced classes for more than 10 years! Note: the Advanced Class is closed to new attendees after the first two classes of each month. Yolanda travels a lot so occasionally there will be a substitute teacher. Request to be on email list for dance syllabus.
--- Emeritus roving instructor: David Kessel.

Admission is $3.00 for the night (general dancing and the two classes) for members and $4.00 for non-members, a super bargain. All you have to do to become a member is to pay the membership fee; $9.00 for six months, the last time I checked. Note: there is a small window twice a year in which you can become a member, there will be announcements before the classes begin.

There is general dancing before and after the classes:

Friday evening - Dancing from 6:45-10pm, with two back-to-back 45 minute lessons in the middle (about 7:30-8:15pm and 8:20-9:05pm). These classes are not held on Member's Night (see below). If you have never danced, there are lots of chairs along the walls on which you can sit and observe until classes begin!

Sunday evening - Dancing from 6:45pm-9:30pm, with two back-to-back 45 minute lessons in the middle (about 7:00-7:45pm and 7:50-8:35pm).

Notes: It takes a while to set up the music equipment, so there may be a slight delay to the actual start of dancing. Now and then classes are cancelled due to unavailability of the facilities. Be sure to check the Calendar.

Dance Parties - dance partner mixability: moderate to high
Friday evening - Second Friday of the month is Member's Night (unless there is a special Saturday party the next evening - in which case there will be regular classes on the second Friday). 7-10pm with dance lesson at 9:30pm. Free to members, and despite the name, non-members are welcome ($4.00).

Saturday evening - Several special parties with live music each year, for example Halloween and Valentine's, check Calendar. There have been some complaints that these parties have too many foxtrot and jitterbug dances and not enough of everything else.

I was a regular here from late 2004 to July 2006. After a few cycles of Beginner Classes I started taking Intermediate Classes and began to challenge myself with an Advanced Class or two. I've changed my dance focus to concentrate more on studio classes and now have scheduling conflicts. October 2006 Spy Report: this venue has been setting some new records in popularity with attendance exceeding 200! As of May 2007, I returned to Balboa Park to take some advanced classes, but dropped out after an unusual streak of Balboa dance class cancellations. I found that the class sizes are now much larger, so there is less individual attention possible, still I highly recommend this place for the absolute beginner as well as the experienced dancer who wants to glide on a truly giant dance floor.

Just a portion of the vast Balboa Park dance floor - June 4, 2006.

Studio. Impressively large studio ballroom dance floor, one of the best dance floors in San Diego, 3300 square feet. Also a smaller classroom dance floor (with some very slippery spots!). Dancers tend to be fairly advanced, focusing on competitive dancing rather than social dancing, but some beginner / intermediates will show up for the weekend parties, particularly if Balboa Park is closed. More Ballroom and Latin oriented than Club. Studio owner, Mary Murphy, is a judge and choreographer for the hit Fox TV series So You Think You Can Dance. The muddy sound system needs upgrading. While adequate for most tunes, during softer Waltzes and Rumbas there are areas on the dance floor where I and others have had difficulty picking up the beat.

Sometimes finding a parking space can be a bit of a problem. There are a couple $ parking lots on the same block towards downtown.

Group dance lessons during the week (some classes are quite small). Group classes are generally beginner level; dancers who want to advance here take private lessons.

Dance Parties - mixability: moderate.
Friday evening - 8-11pm - Champion Ballroom's Dance Party - Ballroom oriented.
Admission $5
Expect an embedded three song Foxtrot Mixer. March 9, 2007 update- I visited for the for the first time in many months - much smaller crowd, only 7 to 9 couples on the floor at any time. The music mix has improved, nice munchies were served. With the large dance floor, this is an excellent venue for partners to practice; slim pickings for a single guy. Visited August 4, 2007, larger turnout as the higher end ballroom crowd was checking out this venue for a "first Friday destination"; I've heard that in September turnout was also quite good. Visited again on October 5, 2007, moderate crowd, quite a few newbies along with more experienced dancers.

Saturday evening - Check the calendar as sometimes there may be venues on the Saturdays not listed here.

1st Saturday - 8-11pm - San Diego Smooth Dancers - Admission $7. A very popular venue for Intermediate to Advanced dancers. Check here for notes

4th or 5th Saturday - 8-11pm - Chinese Club of San Diego - Admission $7. Ballroom with Chinese music and many members of the local Chinese community - normally the last Saturday of the month except in October, then the second to last month. Wide range of dancers.

Dancing at Champion Ballroom on May 27, 2006 - Chinese Club of San Diego - a lot more people than shown here, at least a 100 I think.

Studio. One of the finest dance floors in San Diego, 2500 square feet. Also a large classroom dance floor to the side. When I started this dance page, this studio didn't exist, it then became one of most popular in San Diego for weekend dance parties, before Synergy came along.
Focus is on "Ballroom (Smooth and Standard), Latin, Rhythm, Salsa, Swing, Country and more". Some advanced dancers here at the weekend parties.

Wide range of group dance classes during the week.

Dance Parties - Dance partner mixability: Mary Manzella's high, the studio parties low to moderate.

Wednesday evening

8:00-10:30pm - Ballroom Dance Party hosted by Mary Manzella, Keith Salyards - DJ
Admission $8.00, North County Swing and Ballroom Dance Club members $7.00
Dancers range from beginner-intermediate to advanced. October 4, 2006 update - I attended for the first time in many months, due to class rescheduling: the music mix here has changed from mostly West Coast Swing to a broader mix of Swing and other Club dances, Ballroom and some Latin. This venue remains popular, typically 45-70 people will show up, sometimes more. I'm a regular here now.
Preceded by introductory lesson in one of the popular dances 7:30-8:00pm.

1st Friday Dance Party
Admission $8, $5 for Majesty in Motion members
8:00-11:00pm - Monthly Salsa Dance Party
Hosted by Majesty in Motion with performance.

2nd Friday Dance Party
Admission $7, $5 for Cheek2Cheek members
7:30-8:00pm - Intro dance class
8:00-11:00pm - Monthly Studio Practice Party (Ballroom, Latin, Swing)
Visited October 12, 2007 - Very light attendance, perhaps 7 couples on the floor, maximum at any one time. Little opportunity for finding a partner, plenty of room to practice your Foxtrot!

2nd & 4th Saturdays Dance Party
Admission $10, $7 for Cheek2Cheek members
7:30-8:00pm - Intro dance class
8:00-11:00pm - Monthly Studio Theme Party (Ballroom, Latin, Swing).
February 23, 2008 - Spy report - Quite a few people showed up. Lady's got in free (this may continue, check Calendar), there was a bit of a shortage of Men, music mix pretty good.

Studio. Founded in May 2005. Nice dance floor, but the smallest of the major studios, 900 square feet. More suitable for Latin and Club than Ballroom. Classroom dance floor to the side.

Dance classes during the week - Ballroom, Club and Latin. Some group classes extend well into intermediate level steps. I have taken some classes here.

Dance Parties -
Saturday evening

1st & 3rd Saturdays - Ballroom-Latin Mix Dance Party 7:30-10pm, with complimentary mini lesson 7:45-8:15pm.
Admission $7
Dance partner mixability: moderate, lower if light turn out. Showed up on April 1, 2006 - Light turnout, good music mix.

4th Saturday - 10:30pm - 3am -Tango Milonga, hosted by Linda Garwood, Argentine Tango instructor.
Admission $10

Sunday evening - 2nd Sunday of the month - 8:30pm-midnite - Tango Milonga, hosted by Linda Garwood, Argentine Tango instructor.
Admission $5

Dancing at Dance For 2 on May 19, 2007 during their second anniversary party.

Studio. General orientation is social dancing. Nice ballroom dance floor on the second floor, 1300 square feet; large classroom dance floor on the first floor.

Group dance lessons during the week and Saturday (some entry level classes are large). Some classes advance fairly slowly, with quite a few progressive levels of instruction over the course of many months. Entry level classes renew just about every month. - I've taken *many* classes here.
Dance classes cover wide range of Ballroom, Club, Latin dances; private lessons available for beginner to advanced skill levels.

Dance Parties - dance partner mixability: high, except Saturday evening which has had very light turnout (all dance parties on the second floor)

Thursday evening - "Funky Swing & Blues" dance party hosted by Jane Hance. 8-10pm. Mostly West Coast Swing with an occasional NC 2 Step or Hustle tune.
Admission $6 (3 full time students with ID)
First checked out on August 18, 2005, this an excellent venue for trying out your dance moves - beginner to advanced. At least one and sometimes two friendly roving teachers are present to help with moves on request - probably the best deal out there! Show up in the first 15 minutes for a chance to win a free CD. Lots of floor space available as turnout is usually fairly light - but workable, not crowded like La Mesa. January 1, 2007 update - after being a regular here for more than a year, I've now switched to Thursday evening classes at Starlight - for Night Club 2 Step. Attended May 10, 2007 for the first time in many months, A record number of people present, over 40!

Friday evening - Tango Milonga 9:30pm-12:30am - Hosted by Milonga Sin Nombre.
Admission $7 (5 full time students with ID)
Argentine Tango. July 20, 2007 - I showed up for the first time - A well organized venue - The music is played in the traditional tanda format (music of the same variety [tango, milonga or valse] played in groups of three). I'm new to this dance and was content to watch the dancers, some quite skilled.

Saturday evening

1st Saturday - Salsa & Latin Practice Party: Lesson 8-8:30pm, Party 8:30-10:30pm, hosted by MaryBeth Hughes.
Admission $7 (4 full time students with ID)
October 2007 Spy Report: very good turnout, with around 70 dancers. Attended February 2, 2008. Pretty crowded, about 1/2 were MaryBeth's college students, the rest middle aged regulars.

2nd Saturday - Latin & Ballroom Party: Lesson 8-8:30pm, Party 8:30-10:30pm
Admission $7 (4 full time students with ID)

3rd Saturday - Hustle & Night Club 2 Step Party: Lesson 8-8:30pm, Party 8:30-10:30pm, hosted by David Nguyen.
Admission $7 (4 full time students with ID). A separate Intermediate Hustle workshop precedes the 8pm lesson, 7-10pm, $15, taught by David Nguyen.
October 2007 Spy Report: good turnout, with around 40 dancers. Attended February 16, 2008, about 60 dancers, this venue is becoming well attended and popular attracting dancers from around town. Mix is mostly Hustle, but with some Night Club 2 Step and maybe a Salsa or Cha-Cha mixed in. David extends his parties later into the evening when there is interest as there was this night.

4th Saturday - Latin & Ballroom Party: Lesson 8-8:30pm, Party 8:30-10:30pm. Attended February 23, 2008, about 60 dancers, this venue has picked up quite a bit in the past few months.

5th Saturday - Argentine Tango Practice: Party 7:30-10pm, host Yvonne Bello, short lesson after Party begins.
September 2007 Spy Report: poor turnout.

Sunday evening - Mostly Jitterbug / Swing - high energy, with a small sprinkling of other dances. 7-9:30pm.
Admission $7 ($4 full time students with ID)
February 12, 2006 - I showed up here on Sunday evening for the first time in many months - over 100 people attended. Quite a few intermediate to advanced dancers, but beginners welcome. Lot of fun - I enjoy this venue and I am a regular here. On September 3, 2006 facilities maxed out with 130+ dancers, overflowed to the first floor! One of the very few Sunday evening studio dance parties - a tradition since 1984 and still very popular.

Dancing at Pattie Wells Dancetime Center on May 28, 2006 - Sunday evening Jitterbug & Swing dance party before evening darkness. Over 100 attended.

Dance Club. For those with intermediate to advanced skills. Someone with light experience can do fine if persistent.

Classes
Sunday afternoon / evening - Two 1 1/2 hour classes: 5-6:30pm and 6:30-8pm with a short intermission in each class. The focus is on choreographies and technique. Snacks provided between classes and dinner after the second class. If you stay for dinner on a regular basis after the dance classes are over, you may be asked to contribute some food now and then.

On March 12, 2006 I attended my first class here, for Nightclub 2 Step. I did not consider myself to be a "strong intermediate" in any dance at the time, so I wasn't sure how I'd fit in. Turns out that the class was quite large, I'd say at least 50, and the experience range was wide enough. I occasionally take classes here if not overloaded with other commitments, the instructors have been excellent.

Dance Party - dance partner mixability: high
Saturday - 1st Saturday of the month at Champion Ballroom Academy 8-11pm.
Admission $7
Showed up on July 1, 2006 for the first time - Huge turnout, at least 150. I was told the turnout was higher than usual due to the July 4th celebration theme and associated dinner. While the focus was naturally on the smooth dances, particularly Waltz and Foxtrot with two extended mixers each featuring one of the two dances, there was a generous sprinkling of other dances. A convenient notice board indicated which dances were coming up. The age range skewed toward boomers, 50 and beyond, but some younger dancers were there. Very friendly atmosphere. Mostly intermediate level dancers on the floor with some long time polished advanced dancers; some less experienced. Lot of people on the sidelines, socializing; at other times the floor required considerable navigation skills during the traveling dances and toning down fancier sequences. I noticed quite a few people I've seen at Starlight, none from Pattie Wells. I found the music volume to be low at times and I had trouble picking up the beat for a couple songs, particularly the Rumbas for some reason; on average the volume was OK. Quite a few people stayed the full three hours. Had a good time even though I know that my own smooth dancing has a long way to go!

December 2, 2006 - Performed an International Foxtrot dance class "demonstration" routine as member of a 10 couple ensemble!

San Diego Smooth Dancers Christmas Party - December 2, 2006 (at Champion Ballroom Academy)

Studio. Nice ballroom - 2880 square feet, the "North Star" (one quirk: watch out for the three pillars); large classroom dance floor on the left side of the studio, the "South Star".

Classes during the week. Some group classes here, including ballroom (Waltz, Foxtrot, American Tango, etc.), are amongst the most advanced group classes in San Diego and quite popular. I occasionally take classes here. West Coast Swing, a popular dance at this studio, has classes ranging from beginner to advanced.

Dance Parties - dance partner mixability: low to moderate

Friday evening - 8-11 pm - hosted by Innovations Club Dance, preceded by a class 7:15-8pm.
Admission $7, $5 Members or Sister Club Members
Attended on May 11, 2006. Music about 60% West Coast Swing, rest Country 2 Step, NC 2 Step, Hustle. Around 40 people or so, mostly very experienced dancers well versed in the Starlight method of teaching WCS using open position, syncopated footwork. Newbies and old school "straight slot" dancers can be intimidated, so take this as an opportunity to learn about a new form! Nice party food on the side. Venue still going strong as of a June 15, 2007 visit.

Saturday evening - Varying parties

1st Saturday - 8pm - Innovations Club dance, usually preceded by a workshop from 6:30 to 7:45pm, check the Innovations website.
Admission $7, $5 Members or Sister Club Members
Slanted towards West Coast Swing with advanced dancers.

2nd Saturday - 8pm - Studio Nightclub Party Hosted by Michael & Dawn - "Swing, Hustle, Country & More"
Admission $7

3rd Saturday - 7:30pm - Studio Ballroom Party Hosted by Michael & Dawne - High end Ballroom.
Admission $7
I attended this for the first time on July 15, 2006 - undoubtedly the highest average level of ballroom dancing I've seen at any of the studio parties. Nice turnout with familiar faces from San Diego Smooth Dancers and elsewhere. Excellent mix of music with Waltzes being the most played. A Jack & Jill contest was included with nine couples participating (out of the 60 or so dancers who showed up) - the participating couples were randomly paired for one randomly chosen dance (in this case a Foxtrot picked from four possibilities: American Tango, Bolero, Foxtrot or Waltz) - really excellent dancing here. Note: Jack & Jill contests are not a regular feature of this venue. Overall this venue is considerably out of my league and it's going to be awhile before I come back. Michael & Dawne danced a few numbers: a real treat to watch.

4th Saturday - 8-11pm - Pure Energy Disco Ball preceded by beginner / intermediate level class 7-8pm. I attended the opening event on January 27, 2007 - fairly well attended with 35-40 people at the peak. Music about 50% Hustle with many classic Hustle tunes and some techno, 35% WC Swing and 15% other, for example Cha-Cha and NC 2 Step - overall a good mix, although the NC 2 Steps were a bit on the fast side. All levels of dance experience (beginners welcome), with maybe a dozen very advanced dancers. Refreshments including chocolate fix on the side.

5th Saturday - No dance - check calendar for special events

Sunday evening - 7-9pm - Hustle Dance Party. DJ'd by Don Seidenspinner. Preceded by Hustle dance class 6-7pm.

Studio. Nice ballroom - 2100 square feet. Smaller classroom. Raised spectator area along the side. One of the best studio sound systems in San Diego.

Many of the classes are taught by Peter Edwards, studio owner. In March 2007, I took my first class here, an intermediate American Tango class, quite challenging. A decidedly younger mix of people here.

February 24, 2007 - I attended the Grand Opening Party. There was a huge turnout, too many people to count, at least 300 maybe 400 at the peak, totally overwhelming the facility with many dancers from the other studios as well as a swarm of students from UCSD where Peter Edwards, studio owner, coaches Dancesport. All indications are that the studio will succeed as an ongoing venture, as there is a strong need for a studio in the "near north of downtown San Diego" with a decent sized dance floor.

Studio Membership enables one to take all offered group classes for a flat monthly rate - nice idea.

Dance Parties - dance partner mixability: high

Friday evening - 8pm until 11pm - Practice Dance Party. Preceded by lesson from 7:30-8:00pm.
Admission $5, $3 Students
May 5, 2007 Spy Report: After large turnouts initially, this venue has stabilized with a moderate turnout, with quite a few UCSD students. The music tends to be more Latin and Club than ballroom.

Saturday evening - 8pm until 11pm - Dance Party.

1st Saturday - 7:00-11:00pm - New May 3, 2008 - not clear if this will be a monthly venue - Hustle The Night Away - "Hustle, Social Two Step, Latin & WC Swing". DJ'd by "Da Island Boyz".
Admission $7, Students $5

2nd Saturday - 8:00-11:00pm - Rob G - Ballroom Dance Party. Preceded by lesson in Ballroom Technique and Etiquette by the always elegant Rosemary Ward 7:30-8:00pm.
Admission $7
Rob G's three hour Ballroom party has a nice mixture of DJ'd Ballroom, Latin and Club tunes with an embedded 3 song Foxtrot mixer. Flyers are distributed at the party, listing all songs to be played, the type of dance, with room for feedback for each song. Considered to be one of the best ballroom dance venues in San Diego. Attended October 13, 2007, very popular almost to the point of being too crowded, an excellent time.

3rd Saturday - 8:00-11:00pm - Danz Option w/ Lou & Amante Reyes - Ballroom Dance Party. Preceded by dance lesson 7:30-8:00pm.
Admission $7
This event is quite popular, dance floor can get pretty crowded. Many of San Diego's advanced ballroom dancers go to Starlight's ballroom party also held on the 3rd Saturday.

4th Saturday - 8:00-11:00pm - USA Dance - Ballroom Dance Party. Preceded by simultaneous beginning and intermediate lessons 7:00-8:00pm.
Admission $7
September 22, 2007 - Nice crowd here perhaps 100, good dancing, had fun. The DJ had persistent problems with his equipment, the only negative - perhaps migrating to all digital instead of CDs would help.
--- 5th Saturday - no regularly scheduled event

Sunday evening - 1st and 3rd Sundays - 6-10pm - Swingin' Sunday - hosted by Mary Manzella, DJ'd by Keith Salyards. Mostly West Coast Swing.
- 6:00-6:45pm - Beginning West Coast Swing dance lesson
- 6:45-7:30pm - An intermediate workshop - extra charge of $5 "due to additional studio floor charges".
- 7:30-10:00pm - Dance Party - I attended on July 15, 2007 - nice sized crowd (90 or so) and good music.
November 4, 2007 Spy Report: very light attendance, Spy fled and went to Pattie Wells Jitterbug.

Dancing at Synergy on June 10, 2007 - at Rob G's popular Ballroom Dance Party, first time at Synergy after being at Cheek2Cheek.
Hey Rob, I'll see what I can do about color some day, this one was a toughie.

Part 1b
Other Studios and Clubs

Note: To be listed in this section there has to be regularly scheduled group classes and / or dance parties. Freelance private instructors or studios with private instruction only, are listed in Part Three - Dance Instructors.

This section last fully reviewed and updated on September 17, 2007

Competitive dancing.
Some classes: Salsa, Cha-Cha and Swing.
William Valencia, accomplished instructor

Nationally franchised learning system.
Tuesday evening - Dance party 9pm (just 45 minutes)
Friday evening - Dance party 9pm (just one hour)

February 2007 Spy Report - edited: There are two parties: Tuesday 9-9:45pm; Friday 9-10pm; they have a good mix of music. Tuesday night is more a beginner night so they play just the basic Foxtrot, Swing, Cha Cha, Rumba, Tango and Waltz. As for the age range I've seen as young as 16 and all the way up. There is a good mix of guys and gals, although there are some couples who stay together. Casual dress for the most part. There are three dance skill levels: bronze, silver and gold. In each level there are four sub-levels. Most of the dancers are in the first three levels of Bronze. The dances are for Arthur Murray students only, free of charge. On Friday nights, the parties may have mixers in Fox Trot, Polka or Country Western 2 step. They have different events during the year including themed parties. They have a great group of people there and the teachers are all wonderful. I have found the studio a great place to learn to dance.

2005 Spy Report - edited: The studio's overall pace of instruction, while thorough is quite slow, with many class required, and seems to be organized to extract the maximum about of $ from people who want to learn to dance.

Following text and picture provided by the studio: "Offers a wide variety of Latin & Ballroom dance as well as Belly Dance, Samba, Afro Cuban, Salsa, Swing, Hip Hop, Bachata & Reggaeton. Monthly memberships make group classes more affordable at $2 per class."

Salsa class students, April 2007 at the North Park location

Salsa promotion at youtube.com

Friday evening - Dance Jam - 9pm-->?; Wide range of music for freeform dancing; contact dancing starts at 7:30pm on odd Fridays of the month. On April 21, 2006 I checked out this venue with a dance friend: both Contact Dancing and Dance Jam. V-e-r-y different than ballroom! Contact dancing does have informal protocols, knee pads recommended, maybe padding for the ribs as I was hurting days later; Dance Jam - free form interpretation of the music - most but not all people vertical - Gen X Free Spirits - alone together - I alternated between free form and a few Hustles and Night Club Two Steps - my friend and I the only ones doing that!

See their website for all locations and schedules - alternate dancing: solo, community, barefoot, contact, trance, improv, tribal dancing

Modern floating dance floor

Hip Hop, Jazz, Break Dance, Popping / Funk, More.

Studio. Ballroom - 2100 square feet.

Specializes in Ballroom and Latin Dances in both the American and International styles.

Group classes - planned

Dance Parties
- Friday evening - Dance Party - 8pm to "late" - Preceded by lesson from 7:15-8:00pm. A steep $12.00 admission for non-Studio Members.
- Friday evening (last Friday in Month) - Monthly guest party - students may bring family, friends and acquaintances

Tiled wooden dance floor, echoey acoustics, but fun

Some dance lessons
Sunday evening - Class 6:30-7:30

Dance Party
Friday evening - Dance Party (Dance-O-Rama) 7-11pm, with one hour dance lesson 7:15-8:15pm

Studio. Moderately sized ballroom. 1300 square feet.

Wide range of instructors and dance classes. Lot of people from North County tell me there's no place to dance up there and don't know about this place when I mention it. Check it out!

November 1, 2006 Spy Report: "It is a wonderful group of people - 15-25 with a core group of at least 10 or so that are there every week. Music is mix ballroom, Latin and swing and requests. Julia Malutta is hostess and also has a beginner's class prior to the social that is usually one of the Latin dances - Cha-Cha, Rumba, Salsa, Samba. It consists of technique as well as patterns. Newcomers are introduced to all the attendees (or we introduce ourselves to newcomers). More often than not, there are more women - so more men would be welcome!!! On Monday Nite Julia has an intermediate class (8-9PM) that is progressive and is changed every month based on what the group attending wants. She is a fabulous teacher and offers techniques that can normally only be learned in private classes. Group is usually small - 4-8 dancers.

Classes
Wide range of classes
One interesting dance taught here (thank you Erika) is Rueda - a kind of synchronized Salsa with partner changes (Class Sunday from 6:00-7:00pm) - "Cuban style Rueda de Casino, which is Casino (Cuban Salsa) danced in a circle with couples constantly moving while changing partners" - see Rueda San Diego.

Parties
Tuesday evening - Dance Party 8-9:30pm - Ballroom, Latin. July 23, 2007 Spy Report: Julia Maluta's Tuesday parties continue to draw well. A combo package of a Latin dance lesson, format, varies weekly at request of attendees, plus practice party is a great bargain. Some Tuesdays the floor has almost become crowded.
Wednesday afternoon - 1-3pm - Seniors Social Dance Party.
Friday - 8-10pm - Ballroom, Latin, Swing Dance Party.
Saturday evening - varying parties
- 1st week - 7-11pm - Ballroom, Latin, Swing Party with lesson. Hosted by USA Dance
Admission $7, $5 students, $4 USA Dance members
First visited December 3, 2005, younger crowd (post boomer gen XY), but all are welcome; good mix with a slight Latin slant, several Hustles had rather fast tempos.
- 2nd week - 7-11pm - Hustle Party. Host by Melanie Roberts & Archie Dawson with lesson.
- 3rd week - 7-11pm - Beginner's Social Dance Party. Hosted by Christy Johnson with lesson "dance format varies monthly", DJ'd by Keith Salyards. August 16, 2006 Spy Report: There is a nice mix of music for Ballroom, Latin, and Club.
- 4th week - 7-11pm - Swing / Lindy with lesson. Hosted by Margie Adams & Jim Cruzen
- 5th week - ?
Sunday evening - Not regularly scheduled, check Calendar as now and there is a Sunday evening Dance Party (for example, Tango or Salsa)

"Focused on Kids, Like Family"

Classes
Ballroom class Friday evening 7pm; many other classes

Swing dancing and classes on the second Saturday of each Month. Confirm with Calendar.
- Evening
--- 7-8:00pm workshop (dance varies based on vote, may be Lindy)
--- 8:15-9pm Jitterbug Class
--- 9pm-midnight dance party with live music

Parties
Occasionally there is music 7:30-11pm on Fridays, may be live. The Elks Calendar is frequently not filled in, so call for confirmation.

Classes
Beginner Hustle workshop on fourth Saturday, occasional Intermediate / Advanced workshops are also held - check home page or classes.

Parties
Saturday evening - 8pm until late, preceded by Hustle lesson from 7:30-8pm - check the calendar as the parties are not held every week.

Organization founded in 2005 to bring Hustle "back" to San Diego. "San Diego's Premier Hustle Dance Club".

Perhaps the oldest dance studio in San Diego, since 1959. Very little information on the website, no classes listed, perhaps all private lessons? Feedback welcome.

Mostly Salsa, some Mambo and Cha-Cha. Dance Team oriented - contact them if you want to audition for a team.

Classes
Friday evening - Salsa "The largest ongoing weekly Salsa class in San Diego" - See Salsa

Classes
Sunday evening at 6pm - Beginning / Intermediate Hustle

Parties
4th Saturday - Pure Energy Disco Ball - 7pm - Confirm by checking the Calendar

Mission Valley Resort
875 Hotel Circle South, San Diego CA 92108 (map)
(Mission Room on second floor, stairway immediately to left in lobby) - Tiled wooden dance floor. Bar downstairs, OK to bring drinks upstairs.

Production. Produced by Hans ("Dancing Dutchman") and Spring ("Dancing Ducky"), "providing a place to practice dancing and socialize". This organization has been jumping around the calendar and trying different locations and formats. Venues and days of the week change frequently!

Look like this venue is shut down as of March 2008

Dance Parties
Monday evening - Country Dancing 7-10:30 pm (check web page - not every week), with Luis Sumaya (Line Dancing, Country 2-Step, Waltz, Swing, Cha-Cha / Latin) - Cancelled 'til further notice.

Wednesday evening - Rocking Blues & Swing - 7:30-11pm, with 1/2 hour class at 7:30pm Brick Robbins. - Cancelled 'til further notice.

Dance Club.

Class
Sunday afternoon
- Beginner West Coast Swing 3-4pm. This class is free as the cost is included in the dance party immediately following.

Dance Party - dance partner mixability: high
Sunday afternoon - 4-7pm - Most of the music is West Coast Swing. Dancers range from first time beginner to advanced. Very popular, dance space can get tight. [Embedded dance club announcements starting around 6:00pm may d-r-a-g for a while.] Wear some red, white and blue on the first Sundays of the month. The organization has had some problems attracting younger people.

I was frequently here Sunday afternoons and really enjoyed the friendly atmosphere, but in 2007 pretty much stopped showing up due to scheduling conflicts with the Smooth Dancer's program and because I like to go to the Sunday evening Pattie Wells' Jitterbug party - but I still show up now and then!

Dance lessons by Jim Cruzen & Margie Adams with Lindy as their speciality. Classes held at either the Pacific Beach Woman's Club or Dance North County. Classes include Lindy, Balboa and as of 2008, Jitterbug. This couple is reputed to be among the best Lindy dancers. Private lessons available.

Dance Parties
Monday evening - 8:30-10pm - Swing Huddle - Weekly swing dance party at the Pacific Beach location. Admission $4.00
4th Saturday evening - 8:30-pm-12:00am - All Things Swing - Monthly studio dance at Dance North County with out-of-town DJ and / or live music. Admission $8.00