Ballroom dancing has become increasingly popular
More and more people are putting on their dancing shoes, thanks in part to the reality TV show "Dancing With the Stars."
The show, which began its second season Tuesday on ABC, has sparked interest in ballroom dancing across the country as stars like John O'Hurley and Kelly Monaco shatter the stereotype that ballroom dancing is just a hobby for senior citizens. The show drew 16 million viewers for the first season in June -- the most-watched summer series since "Survivor" in 2000.
"We get a lot of people coming in who have seen the show and want to be just like the stars," says Andrew Pueschel, president of the Pittsburgh Chapter of the United States Amateur Ballroom Dancers Association, "and many of them like it so much after their first time that they keep on coming back."
Pueschel says he's seen a 40 percent increase in membership since June. Ed Hughes, an instructor at Dance Impressions in Butler, says he's seeing similar interest.
"Our smooth and swing classes have almost doubled," Hughes says.
Two movies also have sparked more interest in dance -- the documentary "Mad Hot Ballroom" this year and the romantic comedy "Shall We Dance?" last year -- hit theaters to complement the exposure of "Dancing with the Stars."
The television show has helped change the popular image of ballroom dancing.
"Public perception comes from what people see of the 'smooth' styles of ballroom dancing which people think are old-fashioned and farty," says Jeff Allen, instructor and author of "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Ballroom Dancing."
"But when people see and try the swing styles, especially the new types of swing styles, they find out it's certainly not for old people. It's very exciting and youthful," he says.
"In R&B and rhythmic dancing, there is no connection with the partner," Allen says. "In ballroom dancing, there are no difficult dance steps. The communication with the partner is the difficult part."
Another reason for the recent increase in the number of people trying out ballroom dancing is the participation of colleges and high schools, Allen says.
The number of young people in the United States Amateur Ballroom Dancing Association has more than doubled in the past two years, and more than 300 colleges now have ballroom dance programs and 1,000 more are being added, according to the group.
"There absolutely has been an increase since the show started," says Ken Richards, spokesman for the national association in Cape Coral, Fla. "The studio operators I talk to all seem to agree that there has been a 30 to 50 percent increase in people inquiring about ballroom dance lessons."
Dance like the stars
A partial list of ballroom dancing studios and instructors in and around Western Pennsylvania:
Arthur Murray Dance Studios : 136 6th St., Downtown, 412-261-2947; 3934 Washington Road, Route 19, McMurray, 724-942-4707; 2735 Mosside Blvd., Route 48, Suite 300, Monroeville, 412-373-2101
Dance America : 616 Lincoln Ave., Bellevue, 412-766-8680
Dance Impressions : Medical Arts Building, 129 East Cunningham St., Butler; 724-285-8485
Dryden Enterprises : 1948 Painters Run Road, near Upper St. Clair; 412-221-1044
USA Dance Pittsburgh at Schoolhouse Yoga: 141 41st St., Lawrenceville, 412-656-3667
Walko's Dance Studio : 2553 Mosside Blvd., Monroeville; 412-372-8422
