Rhythms is a dance studio in Bellevue, specializing in the ballroom dances, but with teachers that can teach latin and swing dances as well. I highly encourage anyone who has an interest in learning to dance to check them out. They have an open house event once a month, typically on the second tuesday, at which you can see demonstrations of the dances offered, try them out with the teachers, and even take advantage of their highly reasonable introductory lesson package. Yes, I know that sounds like an ad, but what can I tell you other than I love the place, I take all my lessons there, and they're not paying me to say this. Rhythms is a smoke-free and alcohol-free facility.

Anyway, for people looking for places to dance, Rhythms has an open dance party every friday night from 9:00 to 11:00. The dance is free for the studio's students, and is $5 for the general public. The music is mainly waltz, rumba, tango, cha cha, foxtrot, and east-coast swing. However, during a typical friday night you can expect the owner/DJ to play a few songs for those who like west-coast swing, mambo, samba, salsa, lindy-hop, and probably a few others I'm forgetting. And, as something of a signature number, the DJ always plays the "Electric Slide" at least once every friday, for those who remember anything from the disco era. Personally, I was too young for disco when it was big, but i have to say that the Electric Slide is a hell of a lot of fun to dance to.

On Saturday nights, starting in October, Rhythms will also be holding regular swing dances for the folks who are heavily into east-coast swing and lindy-hop. This is a new thing, and it isn't even October yet, but I figure why not get the word out early. I have no idea if there will be a cover charge or anything like that, but I'll post more details as they become available. Regardless, it's great news for those of us on the East side who are tired of driving over to Seattle to go swing dancing at places like DV8 and the Up and Down club.

Rhythms has a reasonably large dance floor, at 1400 square feet. It can get crowded, however; for those who like to lead in tango, foxtrot, waltz, and any of those other dances that travel around, you are encouraged to be good with your floorcraft. Or if not, you'll get some good practice in. The dress code, while not formally stated, is a little dressier at Rhythms than at any of the other venues I've visited. Most of the guys there on friday nights are dressed in slacks and dress shirts, while the ladies tend to be dressed in semiformal dresses or nice skirt/blouse combinations. Casual wear is perfectly fine as well, just a little less common. Personally, I happen to like having an excuse to get dressed up once a week, so this is no problem for me. Socially, the mix of people is very singles-oriented. I would guess that about two thirds of the people there on Friday nights are there alone, and the other third come as couples. That is not to say, however, that Rhythms is a pick-up joint or meat market. Everyone I've met there has been very civilized, and has been there just to have fun dancing.