After hibernating season, it's time for more activities and social mingling. Dancing is a good option for meeting new friends with healthy hobbies, getting into shape and enjoying the fn of spinning and moving. Want to be the center of attention on the weekend's dance floor? Then you need learn and practice more.

Swing Beijing

Swing is a jazz music that originated in America under a century ago. It has many forms and is popular worldwide. Swing Beijing seems to be the only place offering swing classes in the city. Adam Lee, the founder and a swing dancer, said currently they have about 80 students currently registered for two classes, with about 50 showing up to class on any given Monday night. The majority of them are expats, as well as lots of Chinese women.

Lee said there were no Chinese men in the swing group yet. "I guess they don't like girls?" jokes.

To expand the amount of swing dancers in Beijing, Swing Beijing will arrange a few free classes for university students. They will also start a new beginner's circle of classes on April 2, as well as free beginers'class. The swing dancers gather at the CD Jazz Cafes on east third ring road, north of Changhongqiao, and south of the Agricultural Exhibition Center. For more information, please go to chiaswings.com.

Beijing Modern Dance Company

The Beijing Modern Dance Company Training Center begins its spring session on March 10 at No 7 West Chang'an Jie, Xicheng. Their teachers include some world-class Beijing Moern Dance Company dancers and choreographers, as well as international teachers invited from abroad. For example, from March 16 to 25, Tere O'Connor, an American choreographer from New York City, will be doing a weeklong choreography residency at the company for company members. They might organize an open master class.

Feng Bingbing, the organizer of the training program, said normally they had three sessions every year. Each session lasts about three months. However, the requirements for joining BMDC's training center are high. Feng said they had two classes each session, one for people who have certain level of dancing skills and the other or those who have none. Each class accepts only 15 students.

The new session opening Saturday has only one class for people with a dance background.

Address: Beijing Modern Dance Company Studio, No 7 West Chang'an Jie, Xicheng
Tel: 010-6601 6187

La Casa de David

Huo Yaofei, the founder of La Casa de David, was a world champion Cuban-style Latin dancer. His place was named a Latin dance training-base by the Cuban embassy. Every week, this place attracts around 300 to 400 people. After training hours, there is a free open-form class from 20:30-21:30.

Address: Floor 5, Yaxing Dasha, Jia No 46 Liangmaqiao Lu, Chaoyang. For more information, call 6466 1606

According to Huo, the other popular Latin dance places are Latinos in Nanxincang, No 22 Dongsishitiao, Dongcheng (Tel: 6409 6997) and Salsa Caribe at No 4 Gongti Bei Lu, Chaoyang (Tel: 6507 7821).

These two places seem popular with a majority of patrons Chinese Latin or salsa fans, but, Salsa Caribe is also expensive on the weekend, with an entry fee and a minimum purchase if you want to have a seat.

[Source: Beijing Today]