Key Information

Dear Dancers,

Welcome! I am so excited to begin Waltzing Wednesdays for Fall 2026. Please review the information below to prepare for class:

Our Purpose

The main purpose of this series is to learn dances for the upcoming Christ the King Ball to be held at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 24th at St. Francis de Sales Oratory. Please make sure you will be able to attend this event.

There is also a broader, though, not less important purpose for this class. Waltzing Wednesdays aims to build a community where social dance can flourish. Dance is not just for the competitive or performative spheres. Dance is for the social sphere. Men and women express joy through dance while, at the same time, giving joy to others; this is a fundamental part of human celebration. Waltzing Wednesdays seeks to restore dance to community life by bringing it from the studio and the stage to the gatherings of men and women of all ages and experience.

Thus, while we learn the dances for particular upcoming events, they can be enjoyed at other events for years to come. Dancers are also often able to pass these lessons along to others, which increases the dance community and truly validates the old adage: The More the Merrier!

Class Schedule

Wednesdays in September and October of 2026.
7:00 – 8:00 p.m. for beginners.
7:30 – 8:30 p.m. for advanced.
Note: All advanced students are welcome to come to review fundamentals at the beginner sessions. Thus, to clarify, an advanced student may choose to attend from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.

Our Dances

Beginner students will learn two or three sequence waltzes and the Feuerfest Polka.

Advanced students will learn the Feuerfest Polka, the Ländler, and waltz with reverse turns. I also invite all advanced students to join the beginner class in dancing the sequence waltzes at the ball.

Attire for Class

At our classes, please wear modest athletic clothing. Ladies, no crop tops, please. If you like to train in yoga pants or tights, please wear shorts or a skirt over them. 

Shoes

Please wear shoes with soles that can pivot. Dance shoes are best, but leather-soled dress shoes can also work. Ladies, a really affordable slipper that works great is this one. If you’d like to look at ballroom shoes, I recommend International Dance Shoes. 

Gentlemen, If you plan to dance often, ballroom shoes are worth the investment. The suede soles make them easier than most dress shoes. They’re also usually very supportive. Something like this.

Attire for the Ball

Please start thinking now about your attire for this ball. The Christ the King Ball is our most formal event of the year. Gentlemen are highly encouraged to obtain tuxedos. Ladies should wear floor-length gowns. White gloves for both men and women are recommended.

Hygiene

A quick note on hygiene: we are going to sweat. Out of respect for your partner, please wear whatever antiperspirant is most effective for you. If you like using towels at the gym, then bring one to this class. Please also bring a bottle of water.

Class Location

The St. Francis de Sales gym is at 2637 Iowa Avenue. Here’s the view of the gym from the street. There is parking on both sides of the gym.

Enjoy!

Finally, if you are nervous about trying something new or meeting new people, please rest assured. This is a learning environment. The benefits of gathering with other men and women to learn a beautiful art such as dance will enrich you in more ways than you can guess. Remember that every class is a little party and every dance a game where everyone wins.

See you on Wednesday!

Anna Kalinowska