Last night was a great example of why I wrote what I did in yesterday’s post.  I’ll preface this with the fact that I like the Dallas Bull and I like the instructor they have on staff.  That said, I’ll be very objective as it relates for those of you who are instructors in other clubs or teach in public in some form or fashion.

Whether it’s a country nightclub, a themed restaurant or a small ballroom, each venue is its own brand and each and every decision that’s made has the potential to influence the patrons.  I say “has the potential to influence” for a reason – not every decision will have a 100% impact on everyone.  Most things like the color of the walls, new lighting, updated bathrooms, drink specials, new TVs, new staff, etc. (or any number of others) will have some impact on people.  Some people will notice the walls, others may notice the TVs, others yet will have met the new staff, but very few if any will notice ALL of what there is to offer. There is, however, one thing in a venue that does get the 100% impact.

Like it or not, the music played in a particular venue has the most significant impact on people.  100% of the people will be exposed to the music regardless of where they are in the building.  That said, don’t you think it should be congruent with the venue? If you’re in a Disney Store you expect to hear Snow White singing or something about Mickey Mouse. If you’re in a 70’s Disco club you’d expect to hear the Bee-Gee’s or KC & the Sunshine Band.  It is what it is.  Anything different and it just doesn’t fit. Right?

So, about last night. Objectively speaking, there was a lot of music played that wasn’t country. This seems to be more and more the norm in country nightclubs though it makes NO sense at all from a business or branding perspective. Why is it played?  Well, let’s look at what’s being taught – last night as we walked in we saw a dance being taught to a non-country song. Did I like the dance? Sure. Do I think it belongs in a country nightclub – eh, that’s debatable?

This is a tough call, but ultimately one where you have to look at what your overall brand is and what your business calls for.  If line dancing, in general, is what supports you and not country music, then yes, by all means, play whatever you want and make your dancers happy.  If, however, your venue is built on country music then I believe you need to do whatever it takes to maintain that brand and give your patrons something that both matches their expectations and provides them with what they want from the dancing ends.

This is where the instructor plays a key role in helping to define and shape a venue’s brand.  For those of you out there who are instructors, please understand what I’m saying from a branding perspective.  Stay true to the venue you’re teaching in and make it fit – the long-term strategy is much more sustainable.

I’m out of time and I still have more on this to come, especially on dressing the part…

Here I am on a Friday night getting ready to go out dancing. The first question that pops in my head is “where are we going?” Tonight, it’s a quick trip out to the Dallas Bull in Tampa, FL.  As an instructor, it’s important to me to dress the part of where I’m going, but since I’m not teaching tonight, I won’t be dressed as professionally (definitely more on the casual side, but still country).

Now, if I were teaching tonight, you can bet I’d show up dressed for the part.  This leads me to my topic…Dance Instructors and Dressing the Part.

Recently, I’ve been a part of several instructor forums, workshops, group classes and dance events and I’ll be honest, I couldn’t tell the instructors from anyone else.  If blending in were the goal, these people win.  I, however, see it different. 

I believe if someone is going to teach dance in public, there are a number of ‘minimum requirements’ (I have a much larger list that I’ll share later, but here are a few relating to this):

1.      Be prepared (don’t wing it in front of the class)

2.      Be a role model (give people something to aspire to on the dance floor)

3.      Be professional (your mannerisms / behaviors) , and

4.      Dress the Part (play the role) of your dance or your environment…

Dressing the Part, or playing the role is about making connections for people.  Let’s use where I’m going tonight as an example.  As we’re going to a country night club, I’d expect to see an instructor who is:

·   Dressed in either traditional or mainstream Country apparel (probably not a tee shirt with holy jeans)

·   Wearing boots (not dance shoes or tennis shoes)

·   An advocate for country music (remember, we’re in a country nightclub)

·   Teaching country dances (again, remember where we are)

More on this topic tomorrow…

I personally enjoy Dancing With The Stars and watching the end-results of what people are able to learn in the course of a week.  I know just how hard the stars and the pros have to work and everything that goes into making that 90-second dance a success, personally, for the judges, and for the viewing audiences.

That said, I struggle with many of the decisions that are made as it relates to clothing (or lack thereof), intimacy (do we need to see people making out during their dances), or the flat out raunchy talk from the judges and/or pros?  Yes, it’s dancing and these things do occur.  But, does it really help the ratings?  I, for one, have been letting my daughters watch it less and less, which is tough because they really want to see the dancing.  It’s the only prime-time show they get to watch, and their only exposure to the items I mentioned before. 

As they grow up and learn more about the social dance world and ballroom cultures, I want them to enjoy it for the many wonderful things it is and not be skewed by what shows up on prime-time.  In all my years of dancing in clubs or events I’ve never seen guys rip their shirts off and ladies perform in their bra and panties and not much more.  Sure, there are people like that out there, but they’re not the norm and would be ridiculed if they ever showed up in public like that. 

What I’d like to see is much more of the glamorous, dressed-up, chivalrous side of dancing that excites people. Why not more of what made the attraction to Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly so popular for many generations?  Last night I saw a glimmer of hope when I saw Hines Ward and Kym Johnson dance. That’s the kind of dancing that’ll inspire people and bring people into the sport.  It was clean, fun, well-dressed, and ‘cheesy’ (so Hines said)… but it worked. Thank you Kym!

I’ll still support the show and continue to talk positively about it to my kids, but it would sure be nice if it was something I could let them watch without having to constantly filter it for the junk that’s portrayed. I’d love for them to go to bed dreaming of being all dressed up and dancing beautifully in the middle of a ballroom instead of what it’s like to undress and perform provacative moves that leave half the audience cringing, shaking their heads, and wondering “WHY?”.   

Hey everyone - Sorry for the long delay in blog posts. We’ve been dealing with a number of health issues over the last couple of months with our little ones and it’s taken it’s toll. All seems to be well now and we feel we’re back on our feet.  I’ll be back posting quite a bit again this next week and getting back into the video blogs.

Thanks to all of you who’ve been checking in on us.  We’ve had many calls and emails and appreciate the support.

Great news on our newest DVDs and filming. We’ll be releasing info next week about the new Two-Step series for Intermediate Dancers and the Pre-Order offers will commence.  The set will start being released at the end of May 2011 and is incredible. As for filming, we’ve also been working on a number of projects that will soon be released, including some areas we’ve previously not touched.

Hoping all is well and you have a great weekend!

Shawn

I’m back, ready, & excited for 2011! Look for a # of new dance lesson DVDs & news/press coming out of our studio real soon. For those in Tampa Bay - info to start coming out next wk about our studio & upcoming workshops! Let’s. Get. Started.