I remember searching last summer for pole dancing classes and not being able to find any. This year…read moremy search led me to hustle and flow -- tucked in the west end near Reiche elementary, this is a little gem on the third floor where you can try being J. Lo for an hour, and stick around if you really like it. Heather is the primary teacher and Victoria is her teacher aid in training. Both have their own styles and both are mesmerizing to watch. Their pole classes work a bit differently than their others -- you're required to take a few intro pole classes to see if you like it and get to feel your body and how everything works, and then they can recommend you to the level 1 class. I've been wanting to try it out since a friend of mine told me how sexy it made her feel. The intro classes are easy in a sense where you're not huffing and puffing, but hard in the sense where you're using and twisting your body in ways you're probably not used to. They start you off with some warm ups -- a combination of regular stretching with yoga and warming up the joint muscles, then rotate through several pole moves to try out. I don't look good at all, but it's quite fun! The classes are small but you do share a pole with one other person, which gives you time to take a break. Some people like bringing their 10inch heels and trying it out that way, but I like sticking to the bare toes. In the summer it's slightly warm so the feet stick more (making turns have more friction). Definitely try it out, the teachers are great and never make you feel bad about messing up!

I chose Hustle and Flow to host my bachelorette party pole dance class and let me just say IT WAS…read morePERFECT!! I had no idea what to expect when walking in, as I had never done a class like this before, but the pole instructor Victoria (Poletoria_Portland on IG) made us all feel so comfortable and welcome! The class was a perfect beginner course that also let us try out some pole tricks and even a sexy dance routine! If you are looking to take some pole classes for fun, or hosting a bachelorette do not think twice about Hustle and Flow! I would highly recommend this studio!!

How I found Michelle at Astaire is another story, but I am forever glad that I did. For years and…read moreyears I have wanted to find out if I have two left feet or if it was just something my ex-W insisted was the case. Turns out they are not a perfectly matching set (L+R) but with Michelle's sweet and patient help they are functional. When my daughter gets married, or when there is music playing in a piazza in Milan, I'll be ready thanks to Michelle. (In the interim I enjoy every lesson with my GF both because of Michelle's patience and guidance and because Corinn and I are often laughing at our "skillsets" so far.). Have to say that I am really shocked at how easy it has been to progress from shy cannot-dance-no-matter-what to almost fluid albeit a bit studied movement. It has helped immensely that Michelle is non-judgmental, patient, and quite a good communicator.

From the owner: Take the first step on your dance journey today, and discover a new world of joy, confidence,…read morehealth, energy and fun! Wedding Dance choreography from a simple First Dance to YouTube-worthy routines for the entire wedding party, we can help you make your Wedding Day even more special!

Having danced in communities across the country and even abroad (and having been a performer and…read moreorganizer in several such communities), I can't recommend PICD highly enough. There is no other dance community, so far as I'm aware, which is more welcoming to newcomers, more appreciative of the music and performers on stage, more aware of how to be as inclusive as possible to as many people as possible, or more filled with a smiling, laughing, intergenerational group of wonder humans dancing together. PICD simply checks all the boxes. Seriously, whether you've been dancing for 30 years or you've never tried contra before and are simply curious, an evening spent at the Portland Intown Contra Dance will not be an evening wasted. Go enjoy!

I go to this dance often and it's amazing what a soul-cleansing fun experience it is! There is…read morealways a live band and that adds to the fun energy quite a bit (and is a great way to learn about regional artists!). My experience has been that everyone is really friendly and it's a very safe space. I used to take a date but now I just go by myself and it's never a problem finding someone to dance with (or if you are feeling shy for the moment that is OK too). This is one of those activities that if you don't know what it is, you might not have any idea how fun it is and how easy it is to get started. They have a tutorial that starts at 7 to show you the ropes but you don't even need to go to that if you can't make it by 7 -- before each dance you get a run-down of how it will go. It can be fun figuring it out as you go! I've noticed the beaming smiles on people's faces as they start to dance for the first time. I don't even think they realize they are smiling. Check it out!

I've been to two of Groove 207's workshops (Jazz & Tap) and had an absolute blast! I haven't taken…read morea dance class since I was little, and I was a little nervous getting back into it as an adult. The instructors made the classes approachable and fun! I would definitely recommend their classes!

From the owner: Groove 207 offers dance classes to adults 18+ seeking a creative fitness outlet. Our primary focus…read moreis on creating a community for all people who have a desire to either continue their dance journey or begin their journey to dance. Groove 207 is an inclusive community for people of all backgrounds to feel welcome and encouraged to attend our dance classes!

If you are looking to add a little more joy in your life, Marita's class might just be right for…read moreyou. She mindfully shares her love and appreciation of Guinean dance, music, and culture in her weekly classes. On Fridays, she offers a slower introduction to the dances, and on Tuesdays you get the extra delight of dancing to live drumming!

I attended the beginners class on Friday morning. It was a great experience and Marita and…read moreclassmates were most welcoming. I am someone who is not naturally coordinated and also can't keep a rhythm. Despite my challenges, I had a wonderful time and felt I could learn and have fun! I will be returning!

I tried a beginning hip hop class (Saturday 10:30am, $16 for drop-in) with instructor Meg. Meg was…read moregreat at introducing herself to all the new students to make them feel welcome. She was really friendly. I enjoyed her class. It started off (on time!) with some warm up moves, then moved to some ab work and stretching, we learned a combo, then closed with a cool down. The music selection was great and so was the pace at which the class was taught. Meg is super encouraging. They have a deal where if you bring a friend to your second class you both get in for free. So if any of you wanna join me for a little hip hop fun for free let me know!

Just started this Fall taking adult tap and hip hop. I may not be the greatest dancer but I'm sure…read morehaving fun. Mary (tap) is a hoot and for a beginner class it's not just about standing practicing shuffles. We are actually learning choreography and get a nice little work out to boot! And Missy (hip hop)... Wow. Lots of energy and fun. The studio has a nice selection of adult classes available. Just wish they had more than one night if tap so I could get in a couple tap classes a week (my only complaint!).

Bright Star World Dance is a dance studio in downtown Portland, just off of Monument Square. I've…read moretaken classes there and used it for rehearsal/performance space and I think that it is a gem. Yes, it is small and, no, it isn't wheelchair accessible, but it is a perfect location and size for intimate performances and smaller class sizes. The space is bright and sunny, has air conditioning for the one month out of the year that we need it, has ample mirrors, and Rosa is extremely flexible and fair. if you are looking for belly dance classes or a space to rehearse for your dance group, Bright Star World Dance is an excellent venue.

I was in Portland with 15 girls this weekend on a bachelorette party. Early in the week (so totally…read morelast minute) my sister and I decided to try and book a private Zumba class for our not-so-coordinated, but dance-loving bride-to-be. Communication was quick, courteous, and thorough, pricing was unbelievably fair, and the class was SO MUCH FUN. The space was also really nice, with exposed beams, etc. Andrea -- our teacher -- had a great sense of humor, was well-prepared, and the hour flew by. She made some great recommendations for where to grab a cocktail before and after, too -- we were in town to celebrate, after all! I highly recommend booking a private class with Andrea. She's LOVELY. It was such a fun change of pace in terms of the usual bachelorette party agenda, and we'll have some new moves to bust out at the wedding in a couple of weeks!

My now husband and I recently took a 5 session dance lesson at Ballroom Dance Portland and I can't…read moresay enough good things! We wanted to take some lessons before our September 8th wedding to feel a bit more comfortable. Our instructor was Merissa Newton and she was AWESOME!! My husband is a burly lumberjack and wasn't exactly pumped about our new hobby, but she was so easy to work with. She made us feel totally comfortable, started with the basics and taught us as much as we were comfortable with in the time we had. She didn't push us to perform at a certain level and reminded us that this was about having fun! The three of us laughed as much as we danced! We sent Merissa our wedding song ahead of our first lesson. She picked out a style of dance that she thought would go well to the beat and that's what we learned for 5 weeks. Once we got the basic steps down, she had actually choreographed some additional moves for us and by the end, we couldn't wait for the wedding, specifically the big dip at the end! Although we forgot a few steps on the big day, it didn't matter. We were so comfortable and knew the general moves and how to recover seamlessly. As we performed our dance, the entire room started to sing along as we moved through our dance! (Also, we nailed the dip.) This was absolutely one of the most memorable parts of our wedding and I would highly recommend this to anyone considering it... no matter your skill or comfort level! Thank you Merissa and Polina! You seriously rock.

I've known Polina in the dance world for over twelve years. My parents started taking dance lessons…read morewith her when we first moved to Maine and as I grew older I started taking private lessons with her. She has exceptional technique and the patience of God for sticking with us two-left-feet type dancers. I was turned off after encounters with the other male instructor she previously shared a studio with and would only take lessons with Polina. Now that she has been able to move studios I am looking forward to getting back in my dancing shoes!