Dancing is good for you – just watch Daniel Craig in this new ad, directed by Taika Waititi. Here’s where to put on your dancing shoes …
It’s cold, and often grey, and we need things to make us smile and get moving. I just watched Daniel Craig in action in a new ad for Belvedere Vodka, directed by Taika Waititi, and it made me laugh out loud. Watch it on Youtube through this link.
We also loved Paul Mescal letting his hair down and showing his moves in the Rolling Stones video for their 2020 hit Scarlet, not to mention his dad dancing in the magnificent work of art that is Aftersun. Previously, the video of a Ukranian-born ballet star dancing to Hozier went viral. We love to watch people letting rip and get moving.
Perhaps we all need to dance more. Simple as that. Whether it’s Craig that inspires you, or the winter TV glitter-fest that is Strictly, there are many different kinds of dance to get into, and they will all get your circulation going, help you get fit while socialising and, most of all, have fun.
A time to dance
My friend Eorna has the right idea – an artist by day, at weekends, she dons her dancing shoes and heads into Dublin to salsa and tango. She took up dancing about 20 years ago, and says it has been “one of the most transformative and joyful social experiences of my life. It is such a friendly scene (largely alcohol-free), and as much as you put into the learning of each dance, you get it back in spades. You keep fit and have fun.” She reckons it takes a couple of months to get started in salsa and closer to six months for tango. “One of the attractions for me is that it is an international community, reflecting the diversity of life in Ireland as it is today. And there is a dance class and venue to suit everybody.”
Here are some recommendations from Eorna for top venues in Dublin to learn these dances – and have great times into the bargain.
SALSA
Top salsa teachers, says Eorna, include Angelica Duque at Infinity Baila Studios, Dublin 6 (www.infinitybailastudios.com) and Dave at Strictly Salsa, South Circular Road, Dublin 2 (www.strictlysalsa.ie); they run a six-week beginner’s course for €50.
They include: Strictly Salsa (Stadium, Dolphin’s Barn); Trinity Salsa (Smithfield Dublin); Sunday Latino (Leinster Cricket Club, Rathmines); and Teacher’s Club Parnell Square with DJ Leo. Around the country there are salsa classes and socials in Cork, Limerick, Galway and Belfast.
TANGO
Eorna describes Argentine Tango as “less stylised and softer than Ballroom Tango”. See Dublin Argentine Tango Society (DATS; www.dublintango.com).
Top venues in Dublin include: DATS Milonga at Ashbrook Tennis Club, Rathgar, from €15. www.ashbrooktennisclub.ie
Rebecca O’Laoire and This Tango Life (on Facebook); thistangolife@gmail.com.
Milonga La Cumparsita, Mind the Step Cafe in Dublin; www.tangofever.org.
Bray Ballroom venue for Tango Argentino (all levels, including beginngers) with Gerry and Lucie’s classes and Saturday night milonga; www.meetup.com.
Bailongo De Los Domingos with Magada, at Walter’s Pub, 68 Upper St George’s Street, Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin; contact tangodunlaoghaire@gmail.com; 083 009 5143.
There are classes around the country as well as Milongas held in Waterford, Cork, Galway and Belfast. Also check out other dances and classes including Swing and Blues in Dublin. There is Sean-Nos Irish dancing (www.irishdancedublin.com) as well as regular Cheili dances in Dublin and throughout the country.
