‘A dance destination’: Club Studio Arts opens in Kennett Square
01/26/2016 12:30PM ● By Richard Gaw
By Richard L. Gaw, Staff Writer
Just for a moment, lift your head off of the article you are now reading, and glance down at your feet. Yes, those extremities at the very end of your body. Remember them?
Yes, you unceremoniously jog at a snail’s pace around your neighborhood a few days a week, and of course there is the stationary bike at the gym that gets about 30 minutes of your precious time every week, but seriously, look down at your feet and ask yourself, ‘When was the last time I really made these puppies move?
There’s a family in Avondale who is now making it possible for you and the people in your life to get your collective foot groove on.
Recently opened by co-owner Donna Troise and her daughter Dara, Club Studio Arts in Kennett Square is an all-in-one hotspot for dance classes and social events that caters itself to adults of any age, level of fitness and dance abilities. From Tuesday through Sunday, the dance and event calendar at the Studio is already filled with opportunities to learn several variations of dance, including Aerobic Jazz, Hip-Hop, Merengue, Rumba, Cha Cha, Salsa and Mambo – and taught by instructors Bree Troise, Ruben Delgado and Karen Fuhrman. In addition, the Studio also offers Pilates, Yoga and Zumba throughout the week.
Club Studio Arts is the youngest offspring of a local dancing family. Donna’s oldest daughter Bree is a choreographer for a Norwegian cruise line; her husband Delgado was a professional dancer and production company manager, who is now an instructor at the Studio; and although Dara did not pursue dancing as a career, she grew up attending dance classes and recitals, and sees this new location as an extension of a life-long passion.
"Everyone loves to dance, even if they are not fully experienced to do so," she said. "Even if you’ve never had formal training, if you think you can’t move, if you feel like you have two left feet, this is a safe environment where you can just have fun dancing and not be concerned that you may perceived as the weakest dancer in class."
There is an ever-growing contingent of active singles and couples in Chester County who feel that their social opportunities extend no farther than a restaurant or the local cineplex. On Friday and Saturday nights at Club Studio Arts, however, singles and couples can get a quick instruction and then boogie the night away on the dance floor.
Do any of the women in your life enjoy the musical Chicago? How about Moulin Rouge? On Jan. 29, dancer and choreographer Joe Nickel will be hosting a Ladies’ Night from 8 to 10 p.m. at the Studio, and introduce the dance style known as "Burlesque," a classy take on the traditional performances seen in these musicals.
For the couples whose bucket lists include dancing but haven’t done so since Uncle Frank’s second wedding eight years ago, Club Studio Arts will be hosting a special Valentines’ Couples Dance Social on Feb. 14, with an early event from 4 to 6 p.m., and a later event scheduled from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Couples will dance both the Rumba, slow dancing with a Latin beat, and the Cha Cha, an upbeat dance with Cuban flair.
"We like the visibility of Kennett Square, because there are so many restaurants up and down the street," Donna said. "You can come here before or after dinner or drinks, especially on the weekends. This is an event location, and there’s nothing more convenient than having an event location very near other venues, all of which can create a very fun evening.
"This is a social destination, an alternative to the traditional nights out for couples," Donna added. "Unless you have a wedding to go to, there are very few venues you can go to learn how to dance and enjoy dancing. Here, it’s about having the opportunity to learn, and to work on your moves on the floor."
Club Studio Arts is located at 112 E. State Street in Kennett Square. Club memberships are available, but all services and events are available to the general public at drop-in rates. To make a reservation for the Valentine's Day Couples Dance Social, call 484-732-7994. To learn more about programs and events, visit www.clubstudioarts.com.
To contact Staff Writer Richard L. Gaw, e-mail [email protected].
