What are Private Group Classes?

A Friends Private Group Class is the ultimate night out.

What is a LDH private group class?

A private group class is 1.5-3 hours in a beautiful, private studio with an activity included! The event is tailored for whatever social event you want to accomplish. If you are looking for corporate team building, date night with friends, family get-togethers, birthdays and more. We approach event hosting differently. If you need a professional event with professional ice breakers or for friends and couples, we can offer an experience no-one will soon forget. Our group classes begin with mingling and catching up with your friends or getting to know everyone. We allow time for BYOB and finger-food set up (appetizers, birthday cake, etc) and provide tables and chairs, mood lighting and an amazing sound system.

You will have 1-2 hosts to help make sure everyone feels welcome. After everyone arrives, there will be time for a drink or two and bites before we start the dance instruction portion of the private group class. The instructor will begin teaching your group the dance you select. The teaching is about an hour and is paced so you can take a break for drinks and enjoy talking to each other. Because it can be difficult to actually talk to your friends in a loud bar, this class is geared for interaction. LDH will conduct the class geared towards the mood you select. Using our event hosting will allows for a no-stress, no-cleanup and no-preparation environment for many different occasions and you don't have to clean your house and worry about tending to everyone, we will do that for you!

Private group classes are great for birthdays, bachelorette parties or simply catching up with friends. We have had everything from tech companies group team building to pregnancy announcements! If you want to keep the night going we are right next door to Holler Brewing Company and around the corner from Washington Ave.

What to Expect?

Why should I do a private group class with Love Dance Houston and what should I expect? Our clients tell us this is the most fun they have had. Most people come in apprehensive not knowing what to expect. There is usually one person that is really excited about doing a dance class (the person who books it) and everyone else is a little nervous. There are very few places you can go in Houston and do something new that's fun, a little scary and fortifies a "team" experience. We know you will have a great time, laugh and create lasting memories with us.

What do I Bring?

Bring Food and Plates and Utensils: Light bites that require no cooking (veggie/fruit trays, finger sandwiches, cupcakes, cake, etc)

Bring Booze: Key ingredient to letting loose (we provide wine glasses and wine opener)

Bring People: 30 minutes mingling, drinking and light bites

50 minutes-1 hour Dance Class

30 minutes of eating, drinking, hanging out while fun music is played

Tables and Chairs Provided

You can add more time or book less time-we recommend if you bring drinks 1.5 hour minimum.

Who Should Book a Private Group Party?

Birthday Parties, Gender Reveals, Corporate, Team Building, Get your friends together to do something fun together-perfect for busy friends to get together for a couple hours.

It's easy! You know when the party starts and ends so you are not hosting all night...

Love Dance Houston believes in relationship building. We create the environment where you can have meaningful conversation with your friends and loved ones. Most people have never taken a dance class and feel awkward going to a class-we make it fun and allow you to feel safe doing this together! It's easy to laugh with your friends as you all do something new together. Plus going out dancing together as a group is more fun than by yourself.

For singles or those with no partner (perfect for ladies night out) we recommend:

Hip Hop

Latin Moves (Salsa, Bachata, Cumbia, Samba)

Sexy Heels or Chair

Country Line Dancing

Broadway/Famous Movie Scene Numbers

For couples (date night!) we recommend:

Two Step

Swing

Salsa/Bachata/Latin Dances

Tango

Slow Dancing

Waltz

If you are not sure what each style of dance is you can pick out music and we will put something together!

#DateNight #Gamenight #Houston #thingstodohouston #washingtonheights #sawyeryards #barlife #birthdayparties #birthdays #buildingfriendships #salsa #twostep #bachata #weddingday #weddingvibes #weddingparty #teambuilding

#corporateevents

Experience Gifts vs Material Gifts

Does anyone feel the pressure of buying the right gift like me? The thought of going out in traffic to push through shoppers all buying the same things is mentally exhausting! How much time have I spent looking online and in stores wondering if my friends and family have the item already or will like it?

Not this year! I had a big realization and experienced regret when my family and friends experienced Harvey's destruction last year. My sister lost her home and had just gotten married a month before. All her wedding momentos-wedding dress, gifts, the cute outfits I bought her for her events had all been washed away. Of course we helped her rebuild and start over along with other friends but I vowed to stop buying gifts that could wash away, be thrown out, or outgrown. I wished I had given my sister the gift of memories and building our relationship. I wished instead we had taken more girl trips, or a spacation, or taken a private yoga or hip hop class together if we just have an afternoon. I should have given her and her husband more two step lessons because she LOVES to dance and like most husbands, he is a little nervous. Life is made up of a lot of moments in the NOW, and the "someday" just never seems to happen. We both have kids, husbands, careers and it's harder than when we were in our 20s. It is easier to continue spending time together and making time for each other if it is a habit. At Love Dance Houston I wanted to create a living space that gives people a safe and fun place to build better relationships and memories. We believe in a customized experience in a beautiful private space with good music! Dancing can be an option or not, we believe in building better relationships with each other and having fun! We host your events as expert "ice breakers". Below I have listed some of my favorite gift ideas that won't disappoint!

For the Engaged

It's the season for weddings and engagements! Help your friends take a break from the stress of wedding planning and keep the romance and fun in the process. We have private lessons to help them feel their best and also some engaged group socials (Wedding Prep 101!) to have fun, keep the spark in date night, and learn how to feel good in each other's arms (and not be embarrassed when they are in front of their guests). Learning to dance together before getting married can change their marriage! Strong statement but true-couples that learn to dance together are more likely to dance together on vacations, friends weddings, anniversaries, holiday parties, etc. The longer you are married and "comfortable" in your relationship the more important it is to take time out to hold each other and sway to music. The longer you wait to start this romance the less exciting it might be for one partner. Don't let your friends (or you!) get set in your ways...keep it playful, fun and sexy! This gift has options that start at only $50-$120 (date night experience) per couple and most couples feel like they can learn to dance after 3 lessons ($345) or really help them out with 5 lessons ($540) or 10 ($995 on sale form $1050). Hands down best part of wedding planning (something the groom will enjoy) and will help their bond in marriage! Someone else will get them the food processor. Custom amounts available for all gift certificates and options available if you are already married!

I Need to Out Gift My Siblings

My parents are not spring chickens anymore (sorry mom) but love to get out of the house. My mom loves to dance and hang out with friends. They would love a private dance party with music they like and be able to dance, talk and hang out with their friends without being worried how they look around others. Our studio is BYOB super friendly but they don't drink....hanging out in a non bar environment is perfect for them and gives them a great VIP experience. A private party starts at $200...there's no way I can buy nice gifts for my parents and 3 or 4 other couples for that! Make it special and bring in cupcakes, B&B Butcher burgers, sushi or El Tiempo fajitas and they are over the moon. In house music included and they can even create their own playlist if they prefer.

Switch up the Date Night Game

My married friends and siblings deserve a fun date night. Learning to Salsa, Two Step, Swing or Tango would really switch up their date night game. It's BYOB with no cork fees and they can do it as a couple or bring some other friends and make it a more fun night out rather than looking at each other at a bar. The "class" isn't so serious that they can't have fun together or with their friends, cocktail breaks and great music. Being off of Washington they would probably prefer to go out to dinner together. This is also a great family activity for siblings and parents. The environment is set for everyone to laugh, talk to each other, be engaged and remember doing something different together! Host included! Don't want to dance? Bring in a projector and watch the Super Bowl or World Series!

My Father In Law Doesn't Need Any More Polos or Cheesy Grill Items

My father in law usually comes and stays with us for the holiday break. We are ALWAYS trying to think of things to do. We have been to every museum, his favorite restaurants and mostly lounge around the house. He does not like to dance but hosting a dinner or potluck in a gorgeous venue/private room where he can control the budget of wine and food is right up his alley. Again, custom playlist and his family,friends and associates that live here will be impressed. A 3 hour dinner with BYOB and BYOF (bring your own food), music and private space only starts at $350. If 10 people show up that's only $35 per person! Being able to move around and talk to everyone with good music beats staring across the dinner table at a crowded restaurant. We never go to parties when he's here and this would be fun! My mom and mother in law want a place to get the family together and not clean house!

Girls Night Out

Friends getting together to laugh and do new things is the best! The environment is private and set so you can laugh, talk and be loud and take all the time you need to get the right pose for the 'Gram :) Pick your music if you want, try Trap Yoga, Hip Hop, Sexy Heels Class or Erotic Chairs (low light) or something else! Packages start at $175 for 90 minutes and include BYOB option and feel free to bring cake for birthdays! Whether you are in your 20's or 60's these friendship experiences will be the highlight of your week!

We are a fun, no judgement zone at Love Dance Houston and want your relationships to thrive! Sometimes we do it through dance classes or create the environment for you to have fun and enjoy your friends and loved ones! Have an idea? Give us a call! We love being creative 832-781-1735 lovedancehouston@gmail.com

#experiencegifts #houstonbrides #texaswedding #houstonwedding #houstontx #houstonhairstylist #houstonbride #bridesofhouston #experiencegifts #weddinggifts

Choosing a Wedding Song that says "This is Us"

Maria and Erick Mata - Love Dance Houston Students

Be you, be different but not too different.

So it's time to choose a song, right, and you don't want to choose the wrong one but there are so many choices out there. You could choose one off the Spotify Wedding Playlist and call it a day but that's no fun (Although there are some good ones I admit). Generally I tell folks to choose a song that says "This is Us"... And not the sitcom that undoubtedly makes you cry every time you watch it but a song that sums up your love, personality and couple goals if that makes sense. There are typically a few ways to shortlist the top potential songs and here's how.

What Type/Style of Dance?

First, you and your partner should think about what type of dance you want to do. Is it traditional, fast or slow, upbeat and fun or slower pace, romantic etc. All these things will determine the length of the song or song(s) and will also determine your style of dance and mood. The first songs I suggest will be ones from the past. Look for a song that means something to the both of you, maybe not one that means something to an ex or old flame but a song with a clean slate, no skeletons. Maybe one that was played on a first date or at the time you "knew" he/she is the one.

A song filled with love and romance, yeah those are the best. If you don't have an "Our" song yet or if your "Our" song isn't wedding dance appropriate, it is never too late to start testing songs out on dates or in the car in traffic or whenever you get some time together. Generally, songs that have some type of sentimental value and connection tend to transfer that sentiment better the day of.

Choose one that is totally your style and that says the most about who you are as a couple. These are the songs that make the audience go "awe" as you two are spinning on the floor. Whether it be Ed Sheeran or Eddie Van Halen, try and be as much you as possible.

Fact Check The Song.

One thing people tend to miss. Make sure the lyrics are appropriate. What I mean by that is choose a song that doesn't talk about a bar, an ex, Jack Daniels, pimping or cheating, one that doesn't talk about booty calls or any whisky or tequila that makes the clothes fall off. Unless you are going all in and are ready to break out some awesome moves to Joe Nichols, in that case you just have to go for it, own it and come correct. With that being said, there are some really good songs out there and I would so want to use them but the lyrics are just plain weird for a wedding dance. So do some fact checking on the song and make sure what the singer/writers intent is. Because sure enough, once dance it and post later on the Gram, someone will say, hey that song is about an old man loosing his dog to rabies or hey that song is about a college double dare etc. You don't want that I think..

Include Both Parties.

Find one that means something to you both. Include your partner and make it fun to go and find one together. I'm really talking about the men here. Most grooms will just go along and won't make a stink about which song to choose but it would be better to have a unanimous vote that the both of you will be stoked to dance to. Yes I said stoked - it just felt right.

Two Step Songs are Awesome - You don't need to Learn Two Step.

There are some damn good older country waltz songs and two step songs and you don't need to know how to two step. The type of moves you will learn in Wedding Prep 101 or private instruction at Love Dance Houston can also be used with country songs. Polka is fine, Movie scores are fine, Jazz songs are awesome. R&B and Rock ballets also rock but can be cheesy so be careful. There are a fair good amount of indie songs and folk music that are good but again do some fact checking. You don't want to find out later the song is about a drug not a lover. Hip-hop is fun but I would suggest doing a mashup and choose a traditional song to go with that Bruno Mars, Quevo or Doctor Dre song. Latin songs are awesome and salsa and bachata are always showstoppers. Really the possibilities are endless.

You can choose more than one song and do a good mashup. Just make sure both of you are on board for the commitment. Generally, the longer the song or mashup means more choreography to learn and a longer practicing commitment. To take away from the pressure of learning a routine fast. I suggest to start learning a song at least six months before your wedding. Unless you have some level of training. Six months means you really have 5 months because the last month before your wedding date is usually chaotic and you want to make this little bit of undivided time fun. After all, the moves you learn will get your marriage off on the right foot. Wink Wink. #weddingsongs #weddingdance #houstonbrides #texaswedding #houstonwedding #houstontx #houstonhairstylist #houstonbride

Chris