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!

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!!

I'm from NYC and New Jersey, so I know all about dance studios (because I've hopped around as a…read morechild to a bunch of them in the most competitive state!). Trish's studio is as professional as it gets. The technique and skills she provides her students are top notch- more than what I've seen in some studios from the NYC areas. The kids are all wonderful and every class environment is exceptionally professional and safe for the children. Also important to note that I danced professionally and studied dance in school, so I know good technique. I wouldn't trust my baby and children with anyone else!

What a workout! I tried the Zumba class this weekend offered at the Dance Studio of Maine. It was…read moremy first time and it was awesome! I am NOT typically a dancer, and the instructor made me feel so comfortable. Great music, tons of fun, not too crowded. The studio offers a variety of dance classes for all ages - tap, ballet, modern, etc. They also just opened a music school (The Music School of Maine) which I can't wait to try.

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!

Feeling hot, hot, hot!…read more I tried this place out with the ever amazing Yelp group and I was hooked! Hooked on the comfort and safety I feel when I enter the warmly lit studio. Hooked on the amazing choreography Miss E teaches. And definitely hooked on the sizzle she encourages each to have when they dance. I love to dance but sometimes feel intimidated by other dancers and pretty much freeze up and look and feel like Elaine from Seinfeld. Not so here. I mean I will admit I got anxious, but I get anxious in an empty room and yeah I forgot a few moves, but i had a blast! When my friend I went to class we decided to go for the Intermediate class since we both have background in dance. Miss E greeted us warmly and let us know that most of the others would slide in at the last minute. When class started she started with a little taste of a small routine to warm us up. She moved into some stretches that was paired with some somewhat sassy poses. We then headed into another short routine followed by some "moving across the floor" which we soon figured out was a good swing in the hips as we completed a few moves as we worked it across the dance floor. We ended with another short routine that included the floor and a chair. The sizzle got sizzlier here and it was wonderful. So if you are not afraid of shaking it or even if you are afraid of shaking it but want to be able to with less fear, this be the place. She will not disappoint. Bye for now. I need to go show a super well behaved husband what I did in class.

"Sexy" makes me giggle. When I saw 50 Shades of Gray, I did so on a Sunday afternoon when I knew…read morethere would be a ton of Octogenarians tittering along with me at both the innuendo and blatant hot, hot, hot things happening on screen. As you can imagine, the idea of Red Hot & Ladylike - a studio where you can classes on cabaret jazz, burlesque, go-go, and hip hop dancing - makes me very nervous especially since their motto is "bringing sexy back one lady at a time." The idea of touching myself, letting my hair down, and being seductive makes me wanna cringe... until I met MissE, the perfect person to run this kind of place. She's outgoing, she's empowered and empowering, she's encouraging, she's all accepting, and I couldn't think of a better person to help women find their inner diva, goddess, and all around badass self. I've taken several classes here now and it's always the same: 1. Sign up for the class. 2. Immediately regret it - I can't dance. I don't do sexy. What the hell was I thinking? 3. Show up and feel the warm sunshine that is MissE's personality. 4. Dance (awkwardly), have a ridiculous amount of fun, and get excited to try it again someday. Doesn't matter if you can or can't dance, doesn't matter if you're a woman or a man, doesn't matter if you're already leading with your vagina or not (this makes more sense when you take class with her)... this is fun, fun, fun even when it's uncomfortably (for me) hot, hot, hot. Good for one off experiences, good for getting a unique and different work-out in, good for meeting new open-minded and friendly people, good for bachelorette parties, and good for spicing up your romantic life (she does a "Bring Your Human Prop to Class" that I'd definitely do again!).

Here's a warm five-star review you can use: Sergei Slusky at…read moreAquarius Ballroom Dance is an absolute gem! He's incredibly fun, keeps the entire class engaged, and makes sure no one gets left behind. His patience and clear teaching style made me feel comfortable from the very first lesson. What makes him special is his deep background--he started dancing in Russia as a child, traveled with a professional dance group, and came to the U.S. around age twenty to continue his training. You can tell dance is truly his passion. He often says this is the most rewarding job ever and that love for teaching shines through in every class. I can't recommend him enough. Five stars!

Sergei is an exceptional dance teacher. I've taken about a dozen hours of lessons in southern Maine…read more/ northern New Hampshire, and his clear guidance, steady patience, and fun vibe make every class enjoyable and easy to follow. The Saturday night dances in Portland are a standout, with a one-hour lesson that sets you up for two hours of mixed Ballroom, Latin, and Swing. Sergei's got my full endorsement--definitely give his class a shot!

I love Avant. I started their Zumba classes years ago and go nowhere else. They have great fun and…read moreenthusiastic instructors. They also do fundraising Zumba nights and theme nights where people are encouraged to dress up. (Love those-rep to protect now) Avant and their dance groups love to help out nonprofits and be at events of all sorts. They love to give back. I was a part of the Dance Mile this year that they played a big roll in through Portland! Can't say enough. They do Salsa, Ballroom, Hip Hop, Burlesque etc. so much. Try it ;) you'll love it!

Avant Dance and Event Center is a large, well-equipped event venue. The space is beautiful. Not…read moreonly is it a dance studio, but it has a glamorous ballroom, two sprung plenty of comfortable seating, room to mingle, a café for snacking. There is always plenty of parking, and wifi available. They offer a full spectrum of dance, from beginner to advanced, social to competitive ballroom dancing and zumba. Along with all the studio classes, they host dance parties with live music, guest DJ's and theme parties to make your dance life fun and free. Contact Avant Dance and Event Center. 865 Spring Street, Westbrook, Maine. (207)899-4211 or email: kristin@avantmaine.com