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Arts May 03, 2016
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Complete with spats, cool 1930s to 1940s outfits, the band’s singer, also an accomplished dancer, led the evening off with some true classic tunes. – Photo by Terry Miller
Dance Street in Pasadena Offers Something Completely Different
By Terry Miller
Like the famous Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, and the 1931 jazz standard that Armstrong recorded in 1932 … there is proof positive in Pasadena that some people are really hip and immerse themselves in the ancient ritual of dance.
As a result of the collaboration between six of California’s most talented ballroom dance instructors and coaches, Dance Street recently opened a studio of dance in east Pasadena.
The new studio at 1715 E. Colorado represents a revolutionary new presence in the Los Angeles social and competitive dance scene and word is spreading like wildfire.
We met Sean Brunell and Laurel Rose Saturday night, April 23, at a kind of open house. In this particular instance, Dance Street concentrated its efforts on Swing and the classics from 1930s. The energy in the room was electric, eclectic, and astonishing. One almost felt a time warp back to the 1930s with not only the tunes but the duds.
Alongside a rather cool band, Brunell and Rose strutted their stuff, as did scores of eager participants.
Complete with spats, cool 1930s to 1940s outfits, the band’s singer, also an accomplished dancer, led the evening off with some true classic tunes to spin your partner back to the future.
As both one of the top Rising Star Smooth competitors in the United States, as well as one of the top 10 Pro-Am instructors in the nation, Brunell is equally comfortable coaching at a social or competitive level in all styles. From Argentine Tango to Country Western and anything in between – if you can name a dance, Sean can teach it!
Sean Brunell and Laurel Rose. – Courtesy photo
A nationally recognized competitive instructor, Rose and her students hold multiple Pro-Am titles, including Top Student awards at some of the biggest competitions in the United States. Rose’s 15 years of classical ballet training and over 20 years of musical training lends a uniquely artistic aspect to her expertise.
They have classes available for all levels of dancers, from the most basic foundations of dance, all the way up to highly competitive lessons. If you are looking for a fun way to stay in shape, join them for upbeat Zumba classes.
The well-rounded social programs include all the most popular dances found in the social dance scene, including Salsa, Lindy Hop, Argentine Tango, Foxtrot, and many others.
Their crowded social calendar will keep you busy with fun weekend dance nights that concentrate on specific dances, while their monthly Road Trips will immerse you in the social dance scene.
They even have classes for children, which will help them get an early start on physical fitness and social skills while learning a skill that will help them throughout their life.
Private lessons are available with qualified instructors that allow you to concentrate on your dancing in a more distraction-free environment.
The idea behind Dance Street involves instructors and coaches who hold titles from all around the world, both as teachers and competitors. But do not let their credentials intimidate you, as they say on their website, they “specialize in turning two left feet into dancing feet, so let’s meet at Dance Street!”
For more information, call (626) 791-7746 or email dancestreetcalifornia@gmail.com.
