Two words. Luis Pinto…read more If you are interested in learning to dance hip hop, R&B, Jazz or a style similar to these ones, you need to go to one of Luis' sessions. They are hard work, lasting from 1.5 hours to 2 (for intermediate to advanced) hours long and a work out start to finish. It's 100% Pure. Yelp. Fun. You sweat, you krump, you slide, you partner up. I've been going to these classes for the last 8 years on and off and let me tell you, they aren't for the faint hearted. The classes run: Beginners on Wednesdays 7.30 - 8.30pm at the Australian Dance Performance Institute in Albion for $15 and Mega Jam for Intermediate to Advanced at West End Thursday 7:30-9pm for $15 a session. You can also do Mega Jam on Fridays at Smooth Latin Groove Studios in Annerly for $16 for 2 hours 1-3pm. This was before Zumba, before aerobics dance. This is serious dance for people who are seriously into and passionate about learning the art of Mega Jam. The best work-out you'll ever get and it's sexy as hell.

I visited Mad Dance House and took a few classes in yet another aborted attempt at embracing…read moreexercise around half-way through 2011. An old friend and I somehow came to the conclusion it would be good for us. It was, but we didn't count on our lack of resolution. The classes we went to were called "Girly Street Jazz", and typing that makes me feel like a girlier girl than an American cheerleader and I want to wince, but they were good classes. Set up in a building near The Victory Hotel and Queensland Writer's Centre at the time, I believe classes have now moved to a new location on Elizabeth street, near Govinda's Vegetarian Restaurant (excellent and a Brisbane local favourite). Apparently the new premises have air conditioning unlike the old place, because even on a winter night it got extremely hot in this tall brick building. (Then again, Brisbane's Julys are barely winter.) And you will work up a sweat and feel insanely hot in any case, because you're somewhat deftly thrown into the deep end from your first class. (You realize you're undergoing a baptism of fire but also appreciate it's for your own good.) Definitely bring a LARGE bottle of water with you. The classes are obviously highly cardio, but even then it's surprising at how hard you are pushed. It didn't meet boot camp level, but it came near. Also, the second half of the lesson comprised the learning of a fairly complicated dance routine, so you had to really engage your memory as well as keep your body moving. The scheduled 45 minute lesson went for an hour and felt like it went for three hours, but it was exhilarating. And, it was good for me. Thinking about how I no longer go here makes me feel justly chided. For $14 a lesson, these classes were well worth it. There was also a strange sense of bonding between you and the class members by the end of a lesson, like strangers in an emergency (oh no - the elevator doors won't open) or people climbing a mountain together. It feels a bit like both, with everyone looking scattered and afraid at the start and shy of making eye contact, then clapping each other on the arm at the end of the session.

I used to swing by Mad Dance House for beginner hip hop lessons with friends on Tuesday nights…read more (5:45pm) with Tammi T. Tammi's insanely talented and always knows how to break the ice with first timers who are reticent about dancing in front of others. But it's a group process, with each class beginning and ending with a warm up and warm down. There are huge windows for ventilation and two large fans that whirl madly throughout the classes, but this won't stop you from sweating like a beast. Make sure you bring a big water bottle, otherwise bottles can be purchased from the front counter. There are also change rooms and toilets for those coming straight from work. My friends and I were real beginners. The routines were tricky but relatively easy to pick up. Also the crowd was very supportive and friendly, and always focused on having a good time and nailing the moves and helping others achieve the same. One of my friends has since performed in one of Mad Dance House's hip hop shows and she's almost dancing like a pro. The only problem, which shouldn't really be a problem (!), is how popular these classes are. Spaces fill up quickly, so it's important to arrive early to get a good position in front of the mirrors. That said, Tammi's always considerate and rotates the front and back rows. That said, bring a friend along and you'll both get in for cheaper.

Made Everdance our dance home after the first visit, no need to look any further. Our dancing has…read moreimproved so much. The people and instructors are awesome.

From the owner: Modern Dance Ages 2 & Up, Toowoomba & Highfields - Pay As You Go Classesread more