Photo by Catherine Viox
Dance is an art you can learn at any age. If you want to become skilled in a more niche style, here are some places to start.
Belly Dance
Levels: Beginner to Advanced
The three-month beginner’s course includes twice-a-week classes. Curriculum includes cabaret and folkloric styles.
Where: 7028 Plainfield Rd., Silverton
Levels: Beginner to Advanced
Six week sessions available both online and in person with focuses on technique and choreography.
Where: 11256 Cornell Park Dr. #504, Blue Ash
Bollywood/South Asian
Traditional Indian Dance training (Bharata Natyam, Kuchipudi, and Bollywood styles) takes place on weekends separated by seasonal quarters. All levels and background are welcome.
Where: 9462 Hopewell Rd., Symmes Twp.
Bollywood style dance-fitness classes inclusive of all ages and experience levels.
Where: 9076 Cox Rd., West Chester
A Dance Multiverse
Social Dance Mania brings workshops, open dancing, and entertainment to the Quality Hotel on Pfeiffer Road in Blue Ash this August. Whether you’re into West Coast Swing, line dancing, or ballroom, there’s something for every dance enthusiast here—including a VIP package that includes dinner, a red carpet photo session, and a dinner show.
Heels
Levels: Beginner/Intermediate
Officially called “Confidence Builds in Heels,” this weekly class teaches people of all genders how to dance and feel powerful in high heels.
Where: 9529 Pippin Rd., Colerain Twp.
Levels: Beginner to Advanced
Producer and choreographer of Cin City Burlesque, Ginger LeSnapps, runs these 18-and-up gender-inclusive bootcamps that teach you how to dance with confidence and sensuality in high heels. Check CCB’s Instagram for dates.
Where: Arthur Murray Dance Center, 10792 Montgomery Rd., Sycamore Twp.
Sock Hop
The first weekend of August really swings, thanks to CincyHop Exchange, a four-day celebration of swing dance and live music. CincyHop’s mission is preserving and cultivating swing dance culture in the city, and the Exchange is just one of the group’s events—the New Year’s Eve Dance jumps and jives past midnight.
Swing
Levels: Beginner
Cincinnati’s longest running Lindy Hop venue holds beginner swing lessons before the weekly dance. No partner is required.
Where: Liberty Exhibition Hall, 3938 Spring Grove Ave., Northside
Levels: Beginner, Intermediate, Social
West Coast Swing enthusiasts can hone their craft in courses preceding social dances three days a week, primarily at Wooden Cask Brewing.
Where: Wooden Cask Brewing, 629 York St., Newport
Walk the Line
Country line dancing didn’t disappear when the ’90s ended (you know about TikTok dances, right?). If you want to update your skills past the Boot Scootin’ Boogie, you have options. Shiners on the Levee hosts instructors from Ritz Ballroom Dance Studio on Wednesdays at 7 (with open dance at 9). Jim & Jack’s in Sedamsville also offers line dancing on Wednesdays, plus an open dance night on Tuesdays. Lori’s Roadhouse in West Chester is a 24,000-square-foot entertainment destination featuring live country acts—and line dancing lessons on Tuesdays.
Tango
Levels: Beginner to Advanced
At this specialized studio, students move up through three comprehensive Argentine tango foundations courses followed by a post-grad class focused on refining technique. No partner required.
Where: 4120 Hamilton Ave., Northside
Levels: Beginner, Intermediate, Experienced
This nonprofit tango studio offers eight-week skill-building classes with no partner required. Be on the lookout for pop-up events featuring guest choreographers and musicians.
Where: 6110 Hamilton Ave. Second Floor, College Hill
Ballroom Blitz
The Cincinnati chapter of USA Dance puts on monthly social dances—with lessons!—and hosts balls twice a year at Music Hall Ballroom. (There’s one on April 5.) The organization promotes ballroom dancing, and is the governing body for DanceSport, competitive ballroom dancing in the U.S.
Tap
Levels: Multi-level and Advanced
Regular and drop-in adult classes are available twice a week; one advanced and the other multi-level. Cincinnati Recreation Commission memberships are required for registration.
Where: Westwood Town Hall, 3017 Harrison Ave., Westwood
Levels: Advanced Beginner and Intermediate/Advanced
These six-week sessions taught by local tap master Gloria Esenwein focus on both building step repertoire and improving dancers’ musicality. Aspiring students can call Esenwein at (513) 541-7443 to sign up.
Where: 3412 Clifton Ave., Clifton
The Center of Everything
Cincinnati Recreation Commission (CRC) membership is a great deal—$25 per year for adults and $10 per year for seniors—and membership offers access to a wealth of programming from arts classes to day camps. That includes instruction in a variety of styles of dance for students of all ages. CincyTap instructors lead popular classes at Westwood Town Hall, ballet, tap, hip-hop, jazz, and musical theater classes take place Mondays and Tuesdays at CRC Westwood Town Hall, and Meridyth Kues teaches modern dance in Westwood. That’s just a sample of what’s available, so get your dance card ready.
Rumba
The Ritz Ballroom Dance Studio
Levels: Social
Group rumba classes are offered several times a month in addition to regular dance parties, though individual private lessons are recommended for beginners. Check the studio’s calendar for specific dates.
Where: 8150 Mall Rd., Florence
Levels: All
This multi-lingual studio holds weekly classes in both English and Spanish with live percussion. All levels are welcome to come and learn both about the dance style and Afro-Cuban culture.
Where: 2000 Central Pkwy. 2nd Floor, Over-the-Rhine
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