A R T S & C U LT U R E
Dancing
to the CoMo Beat
nn BY JENNA ALLEN
If you have a passion for learning to dance, we know four venues that’ll get you one jazz step closer to fulfilling any eager dancer’s dream. Whether a hobby or a more serious way to pass your time, dancing provides an opportunity to unleash your creativity and explore the culture of your city and its people — not to mention that it’s a fun form of exercise. If you’re interested in formally joining Columbia’s dance community, look no further than these four sites.
Dancearts of Columbia
Providing dance instruction since 1979, Dancearts of Columbia offers classes for people ages 2 and up in ballet; tap; jazz; modern; body toning; stretch, flex, leaps and turns; lyrical; hip-hop; musical theater; and yoga. The studio accepts students for full-semester enrollments, but there are also drop-in ballet classes every Saturday. Additionally, Dancearts boasts a well-established, awardwinning competition team open to junior and senior dancers who are at least 8 years old, who are enrolled in a ballet course and technique class for the entire school year and who are attending summer technique workshops. 110 N. 10th St., Suite 3 danceartsofcolumbia.com
Jabberwocky Studios
Founded in 2015 by Linda Schust to create arts programming for diverse populations, Jabberwocky Studios invites people of all ages and experience levels to learn break dancing, tap, swing, ballet, contemporary African dance and its specialty: hip-hop. Classes run one hour per week for 12 weeks. In addition to dance classes, Jabberwocky also offers curriculum in art; theater; voice; and STEAM, or science, technology, engineering, art and math. Aside from classes, the studio provides opportunities in outreach and public performances, paid internships, slam poetry and celebration of African culture in its Africa Fest. 1308 Grand Ave. jabberwockystudios.org
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R E LO C AT I N G I N C O LU M B I A
Missouri Contemporary Ballet
The only professional dance company in mid-Missouri, Missouri Contemporary Ballet doesn’t just boast an incredible company of dancers. It also provides a not-for-profit ballet school that relies on instruction from professionals. The School of Missouri Contemporary Ballet, founded in 2011, offers classes in various genres from classical ballet to jazz for dancers of all ages and experience levels. Students have the opportunity to perform at venues throughout midMissouri, and some have gone on to be accepted into the most acclaimed dance programs in the country. 110 Orr St., Suite 102 missouricontemporaryballet.org
The Ballroom Academy of Columbia
The Ballroom Academy of Columbia offers academy-based instruction of all concepts related to ballroom dance. Regardless of skill level, students can learn the fox trot, waltz, Viennese waltz, tango, Argentine tango, quickstep, Peabody, cha-cha, rumba, bolero, samba, mambo, salsa, merengue, hustle, paso doble, East Coast swing, West Coast swing and jive. Instructors compete on the professional and pro-am circuit, and many students dance competitively. But no worries if that’s not your cup of tea — you can take classes without any intention to compete. 3906 Peachtree Drive, Suite E ballroomacademyofcolumbia.com
JUST WANT TO GET OUT AND DANCE WITHOUT THE COMMITMENT OF CLASSES? Check out the following joints for a taste of CoMo’s less formal nightlife.
Nash Vegas
Open Fridays and Saturdays from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m., Nash Vegas invites you to bust out your cowboy boots and line dance to live country music. 929 E. Broadway
The Penguin Piano Bar & Nightclub
The Penguin Piano Bar features lots of floor space — plus a nightclub — to show off your moves. 1025 E. Broadway penguincomo.com
Social Room
Dance under the giant disco ball at this arcade-nightclublounge-speakeasy hybrid. Bonus: You don’t have to worry about paying cover. 220 N. Eighth St. thesocialroomcomo.com l
