Dancing With the Stars and Arthur Murray Dallas and Plano

I was pretty excited about this seasons cast of characters for Dancing With the Stars. After watching the show last night I am still thrilled with who they chose! Even though the show has been on now for several years, the intrigue of watching other people learn to dance hasn't changed! What has changed is the public's general perception of what dancing can do for you in your life!

I remember the first season of the show. We had many, many people come into the studio wanting to "dance like the people on TV". Most of them thought it was something they could accomplish in about a week's time. After all, isn't that how long it takes them on the show?!?! As you can imagine, many were disappointed when we had to give them a little bit of education. Yeah, you can learn a routine to a dance in one week's time...if you work at it for 8 hours a day like it was your full time job. Then, you could dance that routine with your teacher, but no one else because you haven't really learned how to lead/follow. etc., etc., etc.

However, as the seasons have progressed and the Stars have opened up and shared their own personal experiences of how dancing has impacted them, the public has also started to see beyond the glitz and glamour and into the more substantial side of social dancing! We've seen stars experience a total body make-over, weight loss after having kids, a self-esteem boost, the feeling of accomplishment that comes from learning something new, a way to push through tough times, and much more. So, now, when people come in because they love to watch Dancing With the Stars, it's because they see dancing as a way to win whatever personal battle they are struggling with at that time. It could be weight loss, meeting new people, improved confidence, exercise, realxation, or any of the other wonderful benefits that dancing has to offer.

Last year, Kelly Osbourn was my favorite. I guess I am truly a dance teacher at heart, because I don't look at the flashiest costume, the most wiggly hips, the best showmanship, or the most popular star. I look for the one who is experiencing the most inner change and the most growth. Last night, Chelsea Hightower told her partner Jake that the competition is not about who does the best first performance...it's about who grows the most as a dancer over the course of the show. I totally agree! This year, there are a lot of great Stars who will put on a grand show. The debut night last night was one of the best so far. There is a lot of talent out there! But, my prediction this year for the Star who will experience the most change during the show (if she let's the dancing work its magic) is Kate Gosselin. I'm not saying she will win, but I think this is a woman who has been through a lot of emotional crap in the last year or so, and I think if she opens up her heart and lets dancing in, she will find out just how strong she really is. I think it will heal a lot of hurt for her and give her a positive outlook on life again.

Among the other contestants, I thought that Evan Lysacek and Nicole Scherzinger did a great job last night...but I also think they have a little bit of an advantage over the others. Ochocinco surprised me, and the rest of the playing field seems pretty even to me.

Anyway, I hope you are realdy for a great season and if you aren't already learning to dance with us at Arthur Murray, come on in and give it a shot...if everyone else is doing it, why aren't you? You deserve to experience what life is like when you have the confidence to dance, don't you?

How Has Dancing Changed Your Life?

The coolest thing happened the other day. I was working the Arthur Murray booth at the Plano Bridal Show with 3 of our executives, Nikki, Justin and Ian. We were having a good old time meeting brides to be and dancing to the Violin Guy's music. As the day started to wind down, and there weren't so many people coming by the booth, we all just started chatting about dancing. I commented that it is really hard for me to put into words the way my life is different because I know how to dance. What ensued was probably one of the most awesome and inspiring conversations I have ever had!

I know a lot of our students probably look at us teachers and feel like we were born doing this (or at least that it came easily for us). Wrong!!! And, like you, most of us started social dancing later in life, as adults. Dancing has done everything for us that it can do for you. Some of us have changed the shape of our body, we've gained confidence, we've learned better social skills, we've tried new things, we've let go of stress, we've coped with difficult life changes...all through dancing and the support of the studio. We can easily tell you about all of these things, whether from our own experience or through the stories of the countless other Arthur Murray students who have experience some kind of change by learning how to dance. It's the bigger things that are harder to quantify, harder to explain, and harder for you to imagine since you haven't been there yet.

The opportunities that just arise out of nowhere when you know how to dance are amazing. The boost in confidence just knowing that you can dance..and not even having to actually dance...just knowing you could if you wanted to, is like an elixir for the soul! Being able to hear a song and just feel how your body could move to it. Feeling the freedom to do silly, crazy, fun dances like the "lawnmower", the "running man", the "sprinkler", the "Cabbage Patch" (ok, I'm giving away my age now...) because you don't mind it anymore if people laugh at/with you because you know that you can knock their socks off if need be,  is so freeing! Meeting great people and being able to enjoy yourself anywhere...

All of these things and more. Hearing the raw, true experiences of the other executives and attempting to explain the difference in my own life was a really neat experience. So, the next time you are tempted to doubt that dancing was ever "hard" for us, or that we were never "shy" or that we "just don't know where you are coming from when you say you don't want to...", please remember that we have been there, we have done that, and we have come out on the other side with a wealth of experience and knowledge to share. It's kind of like we've been to outer space and come back. You've seen pictures of it, but you haven't actually been there yet. And even though it is hard for us to describe what it feels like to be weightless, we really, really want you to know how cool it feels, too!

Keep dancing, keep moving forward, keep your mind open, and we will help you get to that place, to!

Arthur Murray Dance Schools in Dallas and Plano Host Fundraiser this Friday

Arthur Murray to Host Dance Marathon to

Help Children With Life-threatening Illnesses

Local Dance Studio event will benefit Give Kids the World

(Dallas, Texas) ––Arthur Murray Dance Studio of Dallas/Plano will participate in the second annual Dancing For Dreams dance marathon to benefit Give Kids the World. The event will be held on Friday, March 19 from 9pm-11pm at the Dallas location, 6562 LBJ Freeway. Arthur Murray staff, students and their guests will have the chance to kick up their heels and enjoy an evening of dancing and a show from Arthur Murray’s professionals, while raising money for Give Kids the World. Last year, Arthur Murray Dance Studios nationwide raised more than $50,000 for the non-profit organization that makes dreams come true for children with life-threatening illnesses.



Arthur Murray Dance Studio is a proud sponsor of Give Kids the World and its mission to provide memorable, joyful, cost-free visits to the Central Florida attractions for children who need it most.



Not only will the participants be collecting pledges and donations, but there will be raffles and silent auctions. Some of the amazing items that have been donated include:

Dallas Cowboys - 4 tickets to a game in the 2010 season.

Dallas Stars - 2 tickets to a game in the 2010 season.

Southwest Airlines - 2 Round trip tickets anywhere Southwest Airlines Flies

Ginger Rogers & Fred Astaire - A museum quality framed original Time Magazine Cover from December, 1947, picturing Ginger Rogers and signed by her; and a bio-picture of Fred Astaire signed by him.

Dinner for 20 delivered to your home or office

Mansion on Turtle Creek - an overnight stay, including champagne, a 3-course dinner in the restaurant and overnight valet parking.

Arthur Murray - 10 dance lessons

Afternoon Cocktail Cruise for 2

Horseback Riding - a morning of riding at a private ranch followed by lunch.



To learn more or to make a donation, log on to www.givekidstheworld.org/dancingfordreams.



About Give Kids The World

Give Kids the World Village is a 70-acre, nonprofit resort in Central Florida that creates magical memories for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families. Give Kids the World provides accommodations at its whimsical resort, donated attractions tickets, meals and more for a weeklong, cost-free fantasy vacation. With the help of many generous individuals, corporations and partnering wish-granting organizations, Give Kids the World has welcomed more than 100,000 families from all 50 states and 70 countries.



About Arthur Murray

Arthur Murray School of Dance has been teaching the world to dance for 98 years! We provide instruction in Ballroom, Latin, Swing, Country Western, Salsa, Tango, Social and Wedding Preparation to singles and couples. Our unique approach to instruction and our masterfully created curriculum can be tailored to meet each student’s individual needs, making it fast, fun and easy to learn. With 3 metro-plex locations and over 250 schools worldwide, there is an Arthur Murray near you! What are you waiting for? You could be dancing!

At Your Wedding, Let Arthur Murray Dance Studios Help You Avoid a First Dance Disaster

SPECIAL OFFER AT END OF BLOG

First Dance A Little Rough?

Let Arthur Murray Make It Smooth!

As a current bride to be myself, I understand completely just how much "stuff" you have to think about as you prepare for your wedding. But, having worked as an instructor at Arthur Murray for the past 10 years, I also know how often the first dance gets pushed aside until the last minute.

Your first dance as husband and wife should be a moment that you can both cherish for the rest of your lives. You and your new husband, swaying together to your favorite song, under the admiring eyes of ALL your friends and family...

Ok, reality check time, for most of you - without at least a few lessons under your belt, the first dance will be awkward, stressful, and maybe just a little bit clumsy. Let's face it, how often do couples actually get the opportunity to hold each other and dance romantically? It's kind of a lost art...but not at Arthur Murray!

In just a few short weeks, we can have you and your betrothed feeling glamorous, confident and smooth on the dance floor!

We usually recommend getting a 3-6 month head start so you have enough time to dance the way you want to, but even if the big day is swiftly approaching, give us a call and we can help!!!

Plano and Dallas: http://www.dancedfw.com/

Ft. Worth: http://www.fwdance.com/

for other studio locations and listings, please visit our corporate website: http://www.arthurmurray.com/

FREE BRIDAL CONSULTATION AND INTRODUCTORY LESSON

Simply mention that you read about us on our Blog!

(Dallas, Plano & Ft. Worth Locations Only)

(New Students Only, Please)

New Cast Announced for Dancing With the Stars

I am pretty excited about the new cast members for this season of Dancing With the Stars! In case you haven't read about it yet, allow your trusty Arthur Murray friends to present you with the list:
Pamela Anderson - actress
Jake Pavelka - the most recent "Bachelor"
Kate Gosselin - of TV's "Jon & Kate Plus Eight"
Chad Ochocinco - NFL Star
Aiden Turner - Soap Opera Star
Erin Andrews - ESPN Reporter
Shannen Doherty - actress
Buzz Aldrin - former astronaut (also 80 years old)
Niecy Nash - of TV's "Reno 911"
Nicole Scherzinger - of "The Pussycat Dolls"
Evan Lysacek - Olympic Gold Medal Figure Skater

All in all, I think this will shape up to be a pretty competitive season! We will just have to tune in to see if history repeats itself...will the soap star, the football player, the Olympian or the Pop Star win the hearts of America this time???