Learn to Dance with the Hartford Symphony

Maybe you aren't in the lineup for Dancing with the Stars like former Avon resident was in 2006, but on Friday you are invited to dance under the stars to the classics played by the Hartford Symphony Orchestra.

Dancing Under the Stars is part of the Talcott Mountain Music Festival series at the Performing Arts Center in Simsbury Meadows.

"This is a brand new idea that our music director, Carolyn Kuan, came up with," Katie Bonner, public relations coordinator for the Hartford Symphony Orchestra, said.

Kuan, a Taiwan native who began conducting the symphony in September, noticed something interesting about the audience members at past outdoor performances. Many were dancing.

So the idea came naturally to her, Bonner said, "Why don't we do a whole concert focusing on dancing?"

A little rusty on your waltz, swing and foxtrot, or have no dance experience at all? No worries! Instructors from the Arthur Murray Dance Studio of Bloomfield will give dance lessons at 6:30 p.m. on the basics before the concert begins at 7:30 p.m.

This is the symphony's first time working with the studio, and the two have paired well so far, Bonner said.

Patch visited the studio on Tuesday and instructors Tal DVoretsky, of Simsbury, and Stevenson Charles, of Glastonbury, on camera. Follow the link provided to watch the videos.

Once you have your footwork and form down, join the studio's instructors on two dance floors set up on the field. You will become part of the show as you show off your moves to the sweet melodies of the Hartford Symphony Orchestra.

Kelly Stangel, who co-owns Arthur Murray studios in Bloomfield, Vernon, Glastonbury and Niantic with her husband, Jonathan, said that about 40 of their students from the locations will be there to dance, wearing 1920s attire from the "Great Gatsby era." You don't have to dress to the theme, but you can if you want!

The Arthur Murray franchise has over 250 studios across the United States and this year is the company's 100th anniversary.

"It's a great way to keep celebrating dancing and the years it's been in business," Stangel said of Dancing Under the Stars. "There's nothing better than dancing to a live orchestra playing ballroom. It's fine dancing to a DJ, but it's even better dancing to a live orchestra."

Bring a dance partner, or find someone to dance with there, and waltz to Tchaikovsky's Waltz of the Flowers – which you probably recognize from Nutcracker – Waltz from Swan Lake – the ballet featured in Black Swan – or On the Beautiful Blue Danube composed by Johann Strauss.

If you want something more upbeat, swing in to do the lindy or single swing during In The Mood by Glenn Miller or Sing, Sing, Sing by Benny Goodman.

You will also have the opportunity to foxtrot to Cole Porter’s I’ve Got You Under My Skin, also called the "get to know you dance," according to DVoretsky.

Don't forget to vote for you favorite song on the program – you can choose from 10 out of the 14 – on the symphony's Facebook page. Voting closes by the end of the concert, so attendees can also vote on their smartphones during the show. The symphony will play up to three of the most popular choices again as encore songs, giving you the chance to dance some more!

If dancing isn't your thing, that's okay. Most of the people who love Dancing with the Stars are watching, not dancing, so perhaps you'll also enjoy watching live local dancing – from concert goers to trained dancers – at Dancing Under the Stars while you're under the stars yourself. This is also a good opportunity to bring a lawn chair, relax and listen to the esteemed music of the Hartford Symphony.

“It’s fun too," Bonner said. "People really into ballroom dancing are always dancing to canned recordings. Getting to dance to Hartford Symphony, how cool is that?"

Tickets for a lawn seat cost $20 for adults in advance and $25 at the gate, $5 for kids 12 and under purchased anytime, $40 for a table seat for adults and $45 when purchased at the event. The gate opens at 6 p.m. and there is also a tent with activities for the whole family that will be open until 7:15 p.m. The rain date for the event is July 7, same time. For more information, you can visit the Hartford Symphony Orchestra's website by following the link provided or call ticket services at 860-244-2999.