The Music & The Moves

We’ve always known Memphis is the birthplace of Rock ‘n Roll and the cradle of the Rhythm and Blues. Our air hangs thick with the history of American music and our landmarks testify of legends, sacred studios, and hallowed halls where the “firsts” were sang and recorded. But whether you’re taking in the soulful sounds at B.B. King’s or swinging your yellow towel at a Grizz game, you know that music goes hand in hand with dancing, so it just makes sense that Memphis is a city where we dance. 

Learning the Steps

If you’ve always wanted to tap into that dream of being a truly skilled ballroom dancer, Memphis offers plenty of good options for learning the steps. Two of the most favored spots are both downtown, both thoroughly local, and both promising loads of fun whether it’s your first or upteenth lesson. Cat’s Ballroom is nestled between historic buildings on Third St. near Court and offers both private and group lessons as well as wedding consultations for those wanting to impress during their first dance. Cat opened her ballroom in 2013 and has delighted students of all levels with her expertise and friendliness ever since. “I love watching my students grow and develop.” Cat says, “Whether it’s an engaged couple that wants to have an amazing first dance, or a hobbyist trying to master technique, we try to make sure everyone reaches their goals and has fun doing it.” Cat’s offers private and group lessons and will also host some free community classes this Fall at the Fourth Bluff. Dates will post on her website soon.

The Rumba Room is a Memphis tradition. Located on South Main, the dance studio/restaurant offers a nightly menu of both food and dance, including weekly lessons for beginner and intermediate salsa and bachata students. The wide variety of dancers at the Rumba Room makes beginners feel like they can slip right onto the dance floor to enjoy their very first dance lesson with zero judgment. Later, while munching on a Latin-inspired dinner menu, those beginners can gawk as the professionals take over the floor.. And since no reservations are required, the Rumba Room is always a fun, easy place to access for dates or group parties alike.

Watching the Steps

The city also features an impressive display of professional and teaching dance troupes that keep Memphians on their toes…or at least on their feet applauding season after season of world-class dance performances. Ballet Memphis heralds as the city’s largest professional dance studio and delights thousands each year with their traditional performances of The Nutcracker at the Orpheum downtown. The organization also functions as a large educational studio that instructs hundreds of local children in ballet and tap, leads pilates and wellness classes for adults and regularly hosts professional dancers from all over the globe. 

New Ballet Ensemble and School sets itself apart in the community for it’s diverse, educationally-driven programming and off-beat recitals and performances that keep audiences wanting more. As an after-school dance studio in Midtown, Memphis New Ballet’s mission is introducing the art of dance to kids from all walks of life, serving the underserved, and educating in vibrant forms of dance that aren’t widely taught. Students can take classical ballet, tap, as well as jazz, hip-hop, jook, and West African dance. New Ballet’s Christmas recital takes place annually at the Cannon Center in downtown Memphis and breathes fresh life into the traditional Nutcracker. The Nut Remix adds Memphis style, hip-hop, jazz, and modern beats to the classically performed Nutcracker everyone already loves. 

There’s no end to the talent in our city. Whether you catch a performance from a local troupe or stretch your dancing legs on a Tuesday night at the Rumba Room, take advantage of the dance scene in Memphis and add a little movement to your Memphis soul.

Images via Ballet Memphis