Classes are held on Monday nights from 7:30PM to 9:30PM. Warm ups begin around 7:15 with lessons beginning at 7:35 and usually end around 9:10. The remaining time is used for practice. Check out the schedule with this link Dance Schedule
Dues are $10 monthly per person, which includes dance lessons, our monthly newsletter, and discounts on all club events. To become a member of the CWSC, there is a one time $10 application fee. The first month's dues, plus the application fee are paid at the time you join.
Monday Night Lessons are also available for Non-Club Members at $10/Night. If you sign up during your first visit, the $10 will be applied to the first month dues.
Lessons are taught by Mr. Bill Robinson. Bill is a member of The United Country Western Dance Council (UCWDC) and was inducted into the UCWDC Hall of Fame in 1999. Bill is one of the Premier Dance Instructors in the United States today and he has traveled the world teaching, judging, and promoting Country & Western Dance. Bill is also the Director of the Peach State Country Western Dance Festival and the Atlanta All Star Swing Fling.
Dances are taught on a rotating basis and include beginner through advanced dancer levels. The dances include: Two Step, Waltz, West Coast Swing, East Coast Swing, Cha-Cha, and Night Club Two with each dance usually lasting 3 - 5 weeks. The first lesson of each dance reviews basics and includes some basic moves. Each lesson thereafter builds on what was taught the week before and is slightly more advanced each week. While it is helpful to start from the beginning it is certainly not a requirement. You may join in any week you wish. We always review the previous week's material. Bring a partner if you have one. If you don't, not a problem, there are usually plenty of partners to dance with. Either way we always have a lot of fun; and, learn some very cool moves.
Each dance begins with basic footwork and advances through beginner, intermediate, & advanced dance levels. Beginner level has limited dance experience and is looking for a more detailed explanation of the dance character and footwork. Intermediate level has a solid understanding of the dance character and footwork and is expecting the lesson to include more intricate moves and further details on leading and following. Advanced level is well versed in footwork and the character of the dance and has developed their own personality within the dance. The expectation for advanced dancers is usually more difficult moves to intricate amalgamations.
Footwork for each dance follows specific characteristics and timing. For instance: two step is a 6 count dance (or beats) with phrasing to four or eight count music. It is danced in a continuous movement around the dance floor in a counter-clockwise direction. Waltz is also done in a continuous and counter- clockwise direction and danced to 3/4 or 6/4 music. The swing dances (West Coast & East Coast), NC2, & Cha-Cha are considered stationary dances;and, while the couple may move about the dance floor, they usually return near the point on the dance floor where they began the dance.
Two Step - counting is quick-quick/slow-slow for a complete basic with each quick requiring 1 beat of music and each slow requiring 2 beats for a total of 6 beats per basic. Variations to the basic can be any combination of quicks and slows as long as the variation ends so that the leader begins the next basic on the left foot and returns to the correct footwork. This is a fun and lively dance and music can range from slow to very fast.
Waltz - the original counting for waltz was 1 - 2 - 3, 1 - 2 - 3 with 1 being on the heavier downbeats. It has become popular to count waltz as 1 - 2 - 3, 4 - 5 - 6 for a complete basic. The lead's initial step remains on the strong heavy downbeat of music with the left foot for 1. The right foot would then begin the second half of the basic to the secondary heavy downbeat of music on 4. This is a romantic dance and requires a solid frame.
West Coast Swing (WCS) is done mostly along a line consisting of the center rail, left rail, and right rail. Basic counting for this dance is 1-2, 3&4, 5&6. There is no formal "closed" position as in other dances; however, the dance is often begun in a closed position similar to ECS. This initial position also serves as a pivot point for other moves (such as the whip and its variations). The basic dance progresses generally back and forth along a line first established from the opening. There should be a playful connection between partners for WCS.
East Coast Swing (ECS) is a stationary dance and typically done to more upbeat music than WCS. Counting for this dance is similar to WCS but notice the difference - 1&2, 3&4, 5-6. The basic opening has both partners facing line of dance and slightly angled to each other. This "closed" position can also be used as a move within the dance. The dance resembles Jive and Jitterbug but has its own characteristics and flow. However, it is danced to some of the same music as the Jive and Jitterbug.
Cha-Cha is a Latin dance with a lot of emphasis on the hip action of each partner. Opening for this dance is usually done in a closed position with several counting schemes used. Although the emphasis is on the hips, the movement comes from the knees and footwork. To simply shake the hips does not follow the character of this dance.
Night Club 2 (NC2) is also considered a stationary dance. The dance progresses back and forth along a line parallel to the dance couple and crosses this line of dance reversing the relationship of the dancers to the line of dance. The basic dance usually begins along this line, however, in contrast to the other dances, the man will often make the initial step to his right. This is a romantic dance and sway plays an important role in the character of the dance. Music is similar to that of a 2 Step in rhythm but with a much slower tempo.
