Viennese Waltz Week, Cha Cha Cha recaps, plus Blackpool Updates

Name: Learn To Dance
Price range: $$

12th July 2026

Sorry for no update last week, but we were in full recovery mode after our 20th Gala! For those that attended we hope you had a great time, and there’s already talk of a 25th…and maybe some form of annual showcase!!! Photos and videos to follow once they’re received and we’ve had a chance to look through them all.

We’ve also just finished watching England progress to the semi-finals of the World Cup (and I’m trying not to get sucked into watching the Argentina match!) With that in mind we will not be having our Improver 2 or 3 classes on Wednesday night (and the Foxtrot course might be pushed back a week depending on the responses we get to an email we’ve just sent all booked students) as that is when the semi-final will take place.

For those not following us on socials, Matthew & Ellie have had a great first day of competitions in Blackpool, culminating in them winning the Bronze Couples Tango! A tough day of Paso Doble and Jive to come, but we’re very proud of their achievements so far.

This week we’ll be recapping Cha Cha Cha and looking at some Viennese Waltz. But there’s a road closure close to the studio (Lower Britwell Road) starting from Monday 13th July. We’ll drop an update on Monday with some alternative routes to consider but please allow extra time to reach us.

Don’t forget we have our Sunday Social practice sessions running over the summer 7pm-9pm, £6pp, and whilst booking is preferred you can just drop in too.

⭐ Antony & Emma’s tip of the week
Whilst Viennese Waltz does feature rise and fall, it should be masked by the swaying of the body as you swing through the turns, creating a smooth flow across the floor without any ‘kangaroo hopping’ as Craig would put it!

What we’ve been dancing

Cha Cha Cha
- Beginner – Basics, Underarm Turn to Right, Hand to Hands
- Improver – Rotating the Basic, Shoulder to Shoulder, New Yorks with a Spot Turn Ending
- Improver 2 – Natural Top
- Improver 3 – no class this week
- Intermediate 1 – Rope Spin from Hand to Hands
- Intermediate 2 – Turkish Towel, Turkish Towel out of hold
- Advanced – Turkish Towel with Cuban Breaks, Turkish Towel with Guapacha Timing
- Over 50s – There and Back
Waltz Course – Closed Impetus as the exit to Progressive Chasse to Right, also to Back Lock
Foxtrot Course – Technique of Feather Step & Three Step

What’s on the schedule this week

Around The Studio

Thank you for helping us to celebrate 20 years of Learn To Dance

Last Saturday night over a 100 of us gathered at Dorney Lake for our 20th Anniversary Gala. Despite the programmes being delayed (and finally arriving on Saturday morning), the dance floor having to be made smaller due to incorrect dimensions from the venue, and Emma twisting her knee the week of the Gala and us having to adapt our finale performance routine – including a heavily taped up knee; we had an amazing time and can’t wait to see the photos and videos.

So far the feedback has been that it was an excellent night, and we’re glad so many of you appreciated the hard work (not to mention 2 years of planning) that it took to pull off. We really appreciate all the emails, WhatsApp, texts and messengers that we’ve received this week. We’ve tried to respond to everyone individually but if we’ve missed you we apologise.

Well done to all our dancers who performed, we really couldn’t have done it without you. Thank you again Jenny, Sue, Teruko, Liza, Kan, Corrine, Jo, Liz, Jeannette, Pam, Sheila and also Denise.

Also whilst we had a programme sponsor to allow us to provide all attendees with a free copy, we did order additional ones for those that weren’t able to attend. Additional copies can be purchased for £5, and postage can be arranged if required.

Let us know if you’d like to purchase a souvenir programme (a bumper 36 pages!)

Blackpool Success

If you’ve been following our socials you’ll know that Ellie managed to get to the semi-finals of her Foxtrot competition. Matthew was in a straight final and managed to achieve a third place finish.

Couples Viennese Waltz was a tough competition that featured a wide age range of 16-34 and was open to all levels (including Gold and above), so we knew getting out of the first round would be tough. They did equip themselves well to the task, and were also the only couple in their heat to attempt a fleckerl, but alas they did not manage to get a recall but they were not disappointed.

However their Couples Bronze Tango had power, drive and control. Watching whilst recording gave a hint that they were looking very strong, and and hour later it was confirmed – they had won!!!

Tomorrow (or later today as is now the case) there’ll be Paso Doble for each of them, followed up with couples Bronze Jive. Both will be tough but we know they’ll do their best, and what more could we ask?!

World Cup Success

I’m sure a large number of you are now aware that England have qualified for the semi-finals of the World Cup. The match is scheduled to take place on Wednesday 15th July at 8pm.

To avoid students having to choose between us, and because we know a large number of you (and our staff) would want to watch the game; we will be cancelling classes this Wednesday evening.

The Foxtrot course attendees have been emailed to check whether they would like that week postponed or run as normal.

No other classes are currently affected.

Dancers on our 2024 Bournemouth Dance Weekend, in a guys and molls theme

Upcoming Events

Our Summer Social will take place on Friday 7th August. There’s a welcome drink on arrival, a summery theme to outfits, and dancing throughout the night. Tickets cost £12pp.

Book now

Bridgend Dance Weekend – Friday 25th-27th September

Our Bridgend Dance Break (formerly Bournemouth) is looking at Foxtrot & Samba this year, with a “Golden Age of Hollywood” theme to the Saturday night.

Places start from £265pp and bookings close on 25th August. We’re already over 45% booked and only have 3 solo rooms remaining.

Book now

If you have any questions about anything coming up, please just ask.