Heat is on for TV show

Christine Spataro and William Brand give a dance demonstration during "Latin Heat" an afternoon of Latin dance lessons and showcases at the La Nota House of Dance in Luzerne Sunday afternoon. S.John Wilkin/The Times Leader

LUZERNE – Some experienced dancers set the floor on fire at La Nota House of Dance on Sunday before other couples began preparing for a Latin dance showcase to be televised later this year.

Public Broadcasting Station WVIA will broadcast two-hour-long episodes of “Latin Heat” – a showcase of Latin dancing, probably in late summer or early fall, said La Nota owner and instructor Michelle Brand.

The studio is offering free instruction for those who become members or renew their memberships with WVIA and who wish to dance on the show.

The choreographed shows will be taped in May, so the dance students are working hard to learn the moves to dances such as the salsa, meringue, tango, samba, rumba, Latin hustle and others.

Gail and John Stredny, of Dallas, have been taking lessons for about five years from Gail’s parents, Ned and Lois Hartman, who run the Ballroom Barn in Dallas, and began taking Latin dance lessons at La Nota shortly after it opened about a year and a half ago.

John Stredny said his in-laws encouraged the couple to go to La Nota.

“If you want to learn Latin dance, this is definitely the place to go,” Gail Stredny said.

John said the couple started taking lessons after their children had all graduated from high school.

“It was like a renaissance in our relationship. It was a great thing after just being mommy and daddy for 20 years. It’s also a great way to socialize with people,” Gail said.

Brand said the dancers learn more than “just a pattern of steps. There’s technique, styling and partnership skills. There’s passion. People are showing the character of each dance,” she said.

For example, the tango is a sexy dance with attitude, the cha-cha is more fun, and the rumba is more romantic, she said.

“We try to make sure people will see the story that’s going on with each dance,” Brand said.

There will be opportunities at the showcase for couple dances as well as solos, and people who are interested can still sign up. But people who haven’t tried Latin dancing before should stop by the studio to observe a practice to see if they are interested and if their skill level would make it possible to participate, Brand said.

LEARN MORE

For more information, call La Nota House of Dance at 714-7934 or e-mail lanotadance@yahoo.com.