Best Dance Lessons In Sacramento

Whether you were born with two left feet or born to shake your groove thang', chances are at some point you might need to either learn how to do more than shuffle on the dance floor or hone your existing boogie skills. From belly dancing to hip-hop, from swing to salsa, and from tango to the twist, in Sacramento there's no shortage of spots where you can learn how to dance your you-know-what off, starting from the very beginning basics to the finer points of your preferred style. Here are the top spots for dance lessons in Sacramento.

Red Tent Holistic Fitness For Women
Sacramento, CA
(916) 947-8365
http://www.redtentbellydance.com

Red Tent Holistic Fitness For Women offers belly dance classes for beginner and intermediate students with a focus on technique and skill. Red Tent offers two basic belly dance classes. The first, with Amylea on Thursdays from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Sacramento YMCA (2021 W Street) is $50 per month for non-members, and $12 a month with a YMCA membership. The second is on Fridays with Stephanie at Pipeworks (116 N. 16th Street) from 5:20 p.m. to 6:20 p.m., where drop-ins are welcome for $10 per class, and the class is free for Pipeworks members.

Studio T Urban Dance Academy
11345 Folsom Blvd.
Rancho Cordova, CA 95742
(916) 760-7917
http://www.studiotdance.com/

If you've always wanted to learn moves that will impress on the dance floor, head to Studio T Urban Dance Academy, where breakin', hip-hop and trickin' are on the menu. Your first class is just $15, or sign up for one class per week for $55 a month, two classes per week for $90 per month, or unlimited weekly classes for $120 a month. Monday's classes include Belly Dance; Tuesday's offerings include Hip Hop Level 1 and Jazz Dance 1 for beginners; Thursday's lineup includes Adult Hip Hop Dance and Intro to Hip Hop Dance; and Friday's classes include the popular Hip Hop Aerobics. On Saturdays, several classes are available, such as Club Dance for Adults and Break Dance. Some Studio T Urban Dance Academy's graduates currently work with the likes of Chris Brown, Selena Gomez, Britney Spears, Cali Swag District, Rhianna, and Beyonce. They also appear on shows such as The Ellen Degeneres Show, America's Best Dance Crew, So You Think You Can Dance, and Shake It Up.

Insider tip: Studio T offers scholarships for families in financial need through non-profit 3 Point 0, Inc.—ask for details.

Midtown Stomp
Eastern Star Ballroom
2719 K Street
Sacramento, CA 95816
(916) 221-1500
http://www.midtownstomp.com/index.php

Midtown Stomp offers both classes and dance nights where you can learn/observe those in the know. Group dance classes cover the basics of swing dancing, and because of rotation, there's no need for a partner. Classes are typically offered once per week on either Wednesdays or Fridays, depending on your skill level, for $30 per class series.

Insider tip: On Fridays, pay the cover charge--$8 for DJ and $12 for live band—and get a free one-hour lesson from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m., then stick around for social dancing until 11:30 p.m.

Tango by the River
128 J Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 443-7008
http://www.rivertango.com

Tango by the River, a 1,500-square-foot venue boasts hardwood floors, 14-foot ceilings, and five 12-foot windows overlooking Old Sacramento. Tango by the River holds four classes and a practica each week. On Tuesdays from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Beginning Tango reviews the fundamentals of Argentine Tango, including the tango walk (caminada) and basic steps, correct posture, leading and following skills, and interpreting music. Tuesdays from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Intermediate Tango covers pivots and turns, and how to apply all the steps learned into a community dance setting. Thursdays from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Close Embrace Tango focuses on dancing in a close embrace, as well as technique, musicality, and steps appropriate to the social milonga (a minimum three months of tango, or instructor permission, is required before taking this class). Fridays from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m., Tango "Class to Floor" helps students translate what they've learned in the class setting to social dancing. Lastly, Fridays from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m., Tango Practica offers the perfect chance to practice your skills in a social setting. All classes are $50 per person or $90 per couple.

The Ballroom of Sacramento
6009 Folsom Blvd.
Sacramento, CA 95819
(916) 456-2616
http://www.theballroomofsacramento.com/

The Ballroom of Sacramento offers dance lessons in a variety of styles, such as waltz, cha cha, hustle and salsa. Classes are offered Monday through Thursday and cost $7 per class, or $70 for a 12-punch class card (workshops not included). A main floor practice card is $50 per month per person (not good for upstairs rooms), and a Key Club Card is $100 per calendar month and includes all group classes Monday through Thursday, as well as Friday's country lessons and dance, and Saturday's ballroom lessons and dance.

Insider tip: Not sure if ballroom is your thing? Saturday's open ballroom dancing is $8 per person and includes that evening's lessons and general dancing.

Juliet Farmer was born and raised in Sacramento, where she resides with her husband, two cats, and rescued greyhound. She is a freelance writer who regularly writes about food, pets, health and wellness, entertainment, and more.