Fred Astaire Dance Studios On the Web

If you're looking for other dance blogs to read please check out some of the ones our dance studios have set up.

South Windsor, CT Dance Studio - The blog for our South Windsor Fred Astaire dance studio.

Sugarland, Texas Dance Studio - The blog for our Sugarland Fred Astaire dance studio.

The Woodlands, Texas Dance Studio - The blog for our Woodlands Fred Astaire dance studio.

Columbus Northwest, Ohio Dance Studio - The blog for our Columbus Northwest Fred Astaire dance studio.

Many of our dance studios also have Myspace pages.

Fred Astaire Dance Studio Myspace Page

Fred Astaire South Windsor Myspace Page

Fred Astaire St. Petersburg Myspace Page

Fred Astaire Columbus Northwest Myspace Page

Fred Astaire Canal Winchester Myspace Page

Fred Astaire Memphis Myspace Page

And many more coming soon!

If you're looking for Fred Astaire dance merchandise, do not forget to visit our brand new dance store. We have many different products, including men's dance shoes, women's dance shoes, and Fred Astaire logowear.

Fred Astaire Grand Opening Celebration - January 12th

The Fred Astaire Dance Studio of Missouri City, Texas is holding a grand opening celebration beginning at 7 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 12, at its new studio. The new studio is located at 6238 State Highway 6 in Missouri City.

The free celebration begins with a cocktail hour at 7, general dancing at 8 and a professional floor show and door prizes at 9.

Join us for an evening of fun and excitement as we celebrate the opening of our new studio. Eat, drink and dance!

After School Programs Teach Dancing And Much More!

With shows like Dancing With The Stars, ballroom dancing has never been hotter! And after-school dance programs are sprouting up around the country for school-aged kids. These programs teach children not only how to dance but important "life-lessons" on manners and respect. Click here to read a great article about pre-teens learning how to dance in Milwaukee!

Who Will Be On Dancing With The Stars Season 4?

The rumors are flying about who will be the new celebrities on the next season of the ever-popular Dancing With The Stars. So far Joey Fatone, former member of the boy band N'Sync, and Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, have expressed interest in being on the show.

Other speculations include: Melissa Joan Hart, Regis Philbin, Kelly Ripa, Star Jones Reynolds, Leeza Gibbons, Lorenzo Lamas, Joshua Morrow, and Jose Canseco.

Who do you think will be on the show? Or should be on the show? We want to hear from you!

Kostadin Bidjourov and Carrie Babcock on Television!

Kostadin Bidjourov and Carrie Babcock, studio owners of the Fred Astaire Dance Studio in Upper Montclair, NJ, will be seen on national television in January 2007. Kostadin and Carrie, 2006 US Professional Ballroom Finalists, competed in November’s Ohio Star Ball, a prestigious competition that is taped for the PBS show, “America’s Ballroom Challenge.” Having made the finals in the American Smooth division, Kostadin and Carrie will also be televised performing their showdance to Frank Sinatra’s “That’s Life.” “America’s Ballroom Challenge” will begin airing on Wednesday, January 31^st for 5 consecutive weeks.

Shop Online At www.fredastaire.com!

The Fred Astaire Collection of dance shoes for men and women and our practice logo wear can now be ordered from the Fred Astaire Dance Studios corporate website. Go online today and click on the "Dance Store" link to get everything you need to dance!

Fred Astaire Dance Studios - News Flash

Champion Latin Dancers Georgi Kanev and Adriana Bezmenova are having a baby in January. Their baby shower will be held on December 30th at 11:30 AM at the Fred Astaire Dance Studio in Upper Montclair, NJ.You are their family here in the US so everyone is invited!





Jordan Dill, the 9-year-old daughter of Mike and Dena Dill, studio owners of the Fred Astaire Dance Studio in Tallahassee, FL, won the Vault and Balance Beam at the Level 4 Florida State Gymnastics Championships in Daytona Beach, FL December 9-10, 2006. She also placed 3rd in the All-Around Championship. Congratulations Jordan!

NBC's New Dance Competition - "Grease: You're The One That I Want"

NBC is looking for the new Sandy and Danny in the latest dance competition series premiering in January. The show will have Americans choosing the leads for a new Broadway production of the ever-popular musical, GREASE! This intense dance competition will be hosted by "Access Hollywood" anchor Billy Bush and British celebrity Denise Van Outen. Guest appearances will include past stars from the movie and Broadway shows!

Scholarship Winners At Fred Astaire National Dancesport Competition

Pro/Am Scholarship Divisions

Closed International Standard B
1.Lindsey Willis and Dimitriy Saykovskyy, Tarrytown
2. Sharman Olsen, Andrei Abrashin, Buffalo
Open International Standard Amateur Couple A
1. Luis and Lynne Mijangos, NY West
American Smooth Bronze Closed A
1. Amanda Conner and Nicholas Plante, Milwaukee Central
2. Jen Crossen and Edgar Walker, Atlanta Downtown
3. Victoria Ritter and Oleg Skrypnyk, Tarrytown
American Smooth Bronze Closed B
1. Vivian Ehrlich and Darius Mosteika, NY West
2. Sharman Olsen and Andrei Abrashin, Buffalo
3. Penelope Rostad and Rick Soppa, Milwaukee North
American Smooth Bronze Open A
1. Nicole Powers and Stefan Dobrev, St. Petersburg
2. Amanda Conner and Nicholas Plante, Milwaukee Central
3. Jen Crossen and Christjohn Batters, Atlanta Downtown
American Smooth Bronze Open B
1. Susan Miller and Stephen Knight, Milwaukee Central
2. Cecelia Gilchriest and Darius Mosteika, NY West
3. Robert McComsey and Olga Bylim, Tarrytown
Open Smooth Champion Junior
Sarah Haworth and Nicholas Plante, Milwaukee Central
American Closed Smooth Rhythm A
1. Patrick Alonsagay and Lindsey Rutherford, Indianapolis
2. Giovanni Fortezza and Jolanta Mosteika, NY West
3. Jen Crossen and Edgar Walker, Atlanta Downtown
American Closed Smooth Rhythm B
1. Sharman Olsen and Andrei Abrashin, Buffalo
2. Heidi Lewis and Jeff Lewis, Columbus East
3. Janet Bruttell and AJ Molter, Boca Raton
American Open Smooth Rhythm A
1. Danielle Beriault and Ben Castellano, Sarasota
2. Philip Widlanski and Jolanta Mosteika, NY West
3. Nicole Powers and Stefan Dobrev, St. Petersburg
American Open Smooth Rhythm B
1. Philip Widlanski and Jolanta Mosteika, NY West
2. Melanie Gerber and Stefan Dobrev, St Petersburg
3. Robert McComsey and Olga Bylim, Tarrytown

New Dance Reality TV Show Airs In December

"Dirty Dancing," a WE tv Original Series hosted by Cris Judd, will premiere on Wednesday, December 6th at 10:00 EST/9:00 CT. Over 8 weeks, 18 women will compete with the help of 6 male professional dance instructors. Each week's episode will center on a specific dance style - from ballroom to hip-hop. The winning couple, selected by a panel of judges, will win a professional dance contract.

Don't miss "Dirty Dancing," the latest show to jump on the dance craze bandwagon!

Spotlight On...Linda Dean

There’s no doubt about it: Linda Dean is a legend in the ballroom dance industry. Her controversial appearance at Blackpool with partner Vernon Brock is still talked about - thirty years later. Linda has spent a lifetime dancing and, almost just as long, with Fred Astaire Dance Studios. Competing in a variety of styles all over the world, performing, coaching, and judging, Linda’s career is an inspiration to every dancer.

Learning ballet, tap, and jazz when she was five years old, Linda entered the world of ballroom dancing when she was twenty. At that time, staff members at the Fred Astaire Dance Studio in Philadelphia persuaded her to enter the studio’s training class. From that point on, it wasn’t long before she was on her way. With partner, George Hendrix, Linda competed in the first USDSC in 1971. Placing in the finals that year, Linda and George came back in 1972 to win both the Theatrical and American Style divisions.

In 1975, Linda began her partnership with Vernon Brock. Linda and Vernon won the USDSC’s International Latin division for the next four years. From 1975-1978, they represented the United States in the World Championships, making the finals for all four years.

And then came Blackpool. The stories are famous. Long cited as the most memorable Blackpool competition ever, Linda and Vernon’s attendance at Blackpool in 1976 made dance history. It all started when they were rehearsing. Everyone stopped and watched them practice, astounded by Linda and Vernon’s talent. When they didn’t make the finals, a near riot ensued with people in the audience stomping their feet and booing loudly. “We got more attention,” Linda recalls, “for not making the finals than the winners did.”

However it isn’t that competition that Linda remembers most fondly. In 1977, Linda and Vernon were invited to compete at The Duel Of The Giants at The Royal Albert Hall in London. A unique event no longer in existence, The Duel Of The Giants consisted of two high ranking couples competing against each other. The winner was determined by the audience. Linda and Vernon won the competition against a couple from South Africa.

Her partnership with Vernon ended in 1979. “The key to a successful partnership,” Linda advises, “is personality.” Although they practiced 5 days a week for 3-4 hours each day to prepare for their competitions, they never once argued, remaining consummate professionals and always respectful of one another.

They continued to do shows until 1984. Presently, she is an adjudicator at major United States and world championships. When judging, Linda looks for timing, characteristics of the dance, and control. She is pleased with the quality she sees in competitions now. “The standards are higher now.”

Linda also coaches and is a member of the Fred Astaire Dance Board. Currently based in Arizona, she has been with Fred Astaire Dance Studios all over the United States, including New York, Texas, New Orleans, and Florida. “I’ve met great dancers and great people at Fred Astaire,” she explains.

Throughout her award winning career, Linda has captivated the world with her style, technique, and pure talent. We are immensely proud to have someone of her caliber as part of our organization.