What we’re about
Ethnic Dance Chicago (EDC) is a multi-ethnic, multi-generational community of people who enjoy the dances, music, cuisines and cultures of many countries and ethnic groups from around the world.
As our motto goes, we regard "Dancing As A Second Language".
- Ethnic Folk Dance a great social mixer and aerobic workout.
- Using the media of ethnic dance and ethnic music, we provide participants with powerful, memorable and enriching experiences and connections that reach far beyond the scope of many other social dance forms and contribute to the creativity, cultural awareness, social and cultural, physical, and personal and professional development of the community.
- This group is for lovers of ethnic folk dance and ethnic folk music.
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- DSL 101 - Dancing a a Second Language - 10-Session Class + Capstone PartyColor Club, Chicago, IL
Ethnic Dance Chicago / Virtual Dance Room - Presents its Dancing as a Second Language Class - DSL-101
Bring some friends and start a trend at our 10-session class!
Dancing As a Second Language Course – DSL-101
Course Rescheduled to begin February 2nd due to Facility Availability- Register for our 10-lesson dance class!
- When: Friday, February 2 through April 26, 2024
- Where: The Color Club - 4146 N Elston Ave – Chicago, IL 60618 – 2nd Floor Classroom
- Class Cost: $190/person 10 Lessons + Party
- Register/Pay Online: https://virtualdanceroom.net/dslregister/
- Register/Pay with PDF Reg-form: https://www.virtualdanceroom.net/dsl-101/
- Class Size: Min 5 dancers, Max 20 dancers
- Instructor: Paul Collins
- Details: Below
- Info: info@virtualdanceroom.net – 847-846-8139
Dancing as a Second Language – DSL-101 - Rescheduled to run Fridays, Feb 2 to April 26, 2024
Most In-Person DSL 101 Classes followed by a Virtual Dance Room Session running 8pm-11:30pm-ish
DSL Students may attend any parts of the Virtual Dance Session that follows at no additional cost (8:00pm-11:30pm CST)
DSL 101 Schedule (Revised) - Schedule subject to change
- 02/05 – Class 1 – 7:00pm-9:00pm (extended class)
- 02/12 – Class 2 – 7:00pm-8:00pm
- 02/19 – Class 3 – 7:00pm-9:00pm (extended class)
- 02/23 – No class due to Color Club Event (may meet offsite)
- 03/01 – No class due to Color Club Event (may meet offsite)
- 03/08 – Class 4 – 7:00pm-9:00pm (extended class)
- 03/15 – Class 5 – 7:00pm-8:00pm
- 03/22 – No class due to Color Club Event (may meet offsite)
- 03/29 – Class 6 – 7:00pm-9:00pm (extended class)
- 04/05 – Class 7 – 7:00pm-8:00pm
- 04/12 – Class 8 – 7:00pm-9:00pm (extended class)
- 04/19 – Class 9 – 7:00pm-8:00pm
- 04/26 – Class 10 – Course Capstone Party – 7:00pm-9:00pm (extended class)
So what’s different about Dancing as a Second Language – DSL-101?
Firstly, the ground rules:
- come as you are – no special outfit required
- come with or without prior dance experience
- come with or without a dance partner
- DSL-101 lessons suitable for both beginning and skilled dancers
- instruction mixed in with occasional “learn by doing”
- consent culture – respect for boundaries
- revisit your own roots or discover roots you don’t have
- get hooked on new musical modes and rhythms
- you’re never too young or too old to dance
Secondly, the dancing and the music:
- we groove on doing really different types of dances to really different types of music
- dances originate in many countries or from many ethnic groups from all around the world
- dances feature both traditional and contemporary folk styles
- dances are often fusions between different traditions
- dances will include many common musical rhythms, like 2/4, 3/4, 4/4, 6/8…
- you’ll discover its really cool to dance to asymmetrical rhythms often called "crooked rhythms" due to unusual numbers of beats, like 5/8, 7/8, 9/8, 11/8…
- you'll meet people from a wide range of backgrounds and have a fantastic time
NOTE: It will take a little time to get used to the different types of ethnic dance and ethnic music, so you're not expected to get everything on your first night - there is a lot to be learned, and in the end it's worth the effort.
Health & Safety Policies:
- Now that the covid-19 issues are somewhat under control many folks look forward to getting back to in-person dancing.
- Masks are optional
- Vaccinations are strongly recommended
- Covid-19 tests are optional!
- If you are feeling ill or have a temperature on the day of the dance, please stay home and join us via Zoom!
- Meetup Online in EDC's Virtual Dance Room (VDR) - Fridays & 3rd SaturdaysColor Club, Chicago, IL
Ethnic Dance Chicago / Virtual Dance Room
Meeting online (via Zoom)
Meeting in-person (Color Club, 4146 N Elston, Chicago, IL 60618)
Session Leader: Paul CollinsWatch for In Person Chicago Winter Dance Festival on Fri, 1/5/2024
Watch for In Person 10-Week Dance Class beginning starting 1/12/2024VDR meets most Fridays (following the in-person DSL Class) and 3rd Saturdays for wonderful evenings of Ethnic Dancing & Conversation !
(Exceptions: Fridays: 1/19, 1/26, 3/22 - Saturday: Sat 1/27)- Fridays: 8:00pm until 11:30pm Central
- 3rd Saturdays: 8:15pm until 3:00am Central
- Zoom Meeting URL: https://zoom.us/j/8478468139
- Register to get Zoom password (required):
- Registration: https://virtualdanceroom.net/register-meetup/
Typical Friday schedule (Central Time Zone)
- 7:00pm - 8:00pm – Dancing as a Second Language Class with Paul Collins
- 8:00pm – 8:50pm – Set 100 – Programmed & Request Dancing
- 8:50pm – 9:20pm – Set 200 – Guest Host #1 – Teaching and Review
- 9:20pm – 9:50pm – Set 200 – Guest Host #2 – Teaching and Review
- 9:50pm – 10:20pm – Set 300 – Guest Host #2 – Teaching and Review
- 10:20pm – 11:20pm – Programmed & Request Dancing
- 11:20pm – 11:30pm – Last Dance Set
- 11:30pm – until – Post-Dance Discussion
Typical 3rd Saturday schedule (Central Time Zone - no dance teaching)
- 8:15pm-ish – 3:00am – 30 min sets led by 18-20 dance leaders/musicians
- 3:00am – until – Post-Dance Discussion
About Friday Guest Hosts (some play live music)
• Each Guest Host has a set to lead a set of 6 dances
• We rotate Guest Hosts, selecting 3 or 4 at a time
• Weekly agendas, playlists on website – https://virtualdanceroom.net
• Guest Host Team – https://www/virtualdanceroom.net/announcement/3rd Saturday Guest Hosts are a mix of dance leaders and musicians
About the Dance Programs
- The diversity of our virtual audience is far beyond our usual local/regional boundaries, so we'll play fun dances from the broader perspective of a global audience
- The teaching and review sessions provide opportunities for us to share a wider variety of dances from a diverse group of participants, reaching beyond the limits of our local repertoires.
About Post-Dance Discussions
- We'll continue to hold post-dance discussions for those who'd like to
- socialize afterwards
- This has been almost like going out for coffee, dessert, snacks,
- drinks, etc. after dancing...
- On occasion, we’ll schedule specialized discussions
Support the Virtual Dance Room
- Make A Donation to Support the Virtual Dance Room
- While there is no charge to participate, please make a donation to support production of the Virtual Dance Room.
- You may donate using PayPal, Venmo, Zelle, a major credit/debit card or a check via snail mail
- Donation Options: https://virtualdanceroom.net/donate/
- Thanks for your participation and support!
Virtual Dance Room Website: https://virtualdanceroom.net
EDC/VDR YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ethnicdanceguru/
Facebook Fan Page: http://www.facebook.com/ethnicdance/Facebook Discussion Group: http://www.facebook.com/groups/ethnicdance/
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ethnicdanceguru/
Meetup Group: https://www.meetup.com/ethnicdance/Contact: Paul Collins - info@ethnicdance.net - (847)-846-8139
Background:
Prior to the pandemic, Ethnic Dance Chicago (EDC) was meeting in-person at the Chicago Latvian Center (now the Color Club) every week with 20-40 participants - many of whom were not Meetup members.
With the start of the pandemic we transformed EDC into an online group (The Virtual Dance Room) meeting & dancing online on Zoom and drawing between 90 and 130 participants each Friday (weekly dance) and 3rd Saturday (Global Dance After-Party)
Now that the covid-19 issues are somewhat under control many folks look forward to getting back to in-person dancing.
NOTE: It will take a little time to get used to the different types of ethnic dance and ethnic music, so you're not expected to get everything on your first night - there is a lot to be learned, and in the end it's worth the effort.
- Meetup Online in EDC's Virtual Dance Room (VDR) - Fridays & 3rd SaturdaysColor Club, Chicago, IL
Ethnic Dance Chicago / Virtual Dance Room
Meeting online (via Zoom)
Meeting in-person (Color Club, 4146 N Elston, Chicago, IL 60618)
Session Leader: Paul CollinsWatch for In Person Chicago Winter Dance Festival on Fri, 1/5/2024
Watch for In Person 10-Week Dance Class beginning starting 1/12/2024VDR meets most Fridays (following the in-person DSL Class) and 3rd Saturdays for wonderful evenings of Ethnic Dancing & Conversation !
(Exceptions: Fridays: 1/19, 1/26, 3/22 - Saturday: Sat 1/27)- Fridays: 8:00pm until 11:30pm Central
- 3rd Saturdays: 8:15pm until 3:00am Central
- Zoom Meeting URL: https://zoom.us/j/8478468139
- Register to get Zoom password (required):
- Registration: https://virtualdanceroom.net/register-meetup/
Typical Friday schedule (Central Time Zone)
- 7:00pm - 8:00pm – Dancing as a Second Language Class with Paul Collins
- 8:00pm – 8:50pm – Set 100 – Programmed & Request Dancing
- 8:50pm – 9:20pm – Set 200 – Guest Host #1 – Teaching and Review
- 9:20pm – 9:50pm – Set 200 – Guest Host #2 – Teaching and Review
- 9:50pm – 10:20pm – Set 300 – Guest Host #2 – Teaching and Review
- 10:20pm – 11:20pm – Programmed & Request Dancing
- 11:20pm – 11:30pm – Last Dance Set
- 11:30pm – until – Post-Dance Discussion
Typical 3rd Saturday schedule (Central Time Zone - no dance teaching)
- 8:15pm-ish – 3:00am – 30 min sets led by 18-20 dance leaders/musicians
- 3:00am – until – Post-Dance Discussion
About Friday Guest Hosts (some play live music)
• Each Guest Host has a set to lead a set of 6 dances
• We rotate Guest Hosts, selecting 3 or 4 at a time
• Weekly agendas, playlists on website – https://virtualdanceroom.net
• Guest Host Team – https://www/virtualdanceroom.net/announcement/3rd Saturday Guest Hosts are a mix of dance leaders and musicians
About the Dance Programs
- The diversity of our virtual audience is far beyond our usual local/regional boundaries, so we'll play fun dances from the broader perspective of a global audience
- The teaching and review sessions provide opportunities for us to share a wider variety of dances from a diverse group of participants, reaching beyond the limits of our local repertoires.
About Post-Dance Discussions
- We'll continue to hold post-dance discussions for those who'd like to
- socialize afterwards
- This has been almost like going out for coffee, dessert, snacks,
- drinks, etc. after dancing...
- On occasion, we’ll schedule specialized discussions
Support the Virtual Dance Room
- Make A Donation to Support the Virtual Dance Room
- While there is no charge to participate, please make a donation to support production of the Virtual Dance Room.
- You may donate using PayPal, Venmo, Zelle, a major credit/debit card or a check via snail mail
- Donation Options: https://virtualdanceroom.net/donate/
- Thanks for your participation and support!
Virtual Dance Room Website: https://virtualdanceroom.net
EDC/VDR YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ethnicdanceguru/
Facebook Fan Page: http://www.facebook.com/ethnicdance/Facebook Discussion Group: http://www.facebook.com/groups/ethnicdance/
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ethnicdanceguru/
Meetup Group: https://www.meetup.com/ethnicdance/Contact: Paul Collins - info@ethnicdance.net - (847)-846-8139
Background:
Prior to the pandemic, Ethnic Dance Chicago (EDC) was meeting in-person at the Chicago Latvian Center (now the Color Club) every week with 20-40 participants - many of whom were not Meetup members.
With the start of the pandemic we transformed EDC into an online group (The Virtual Dance Room) meeting & dancing online on Zoom and drawing between 90 and 130 participants each Friday (weekly dance) and 3rd Saturday (Global Dance After-Party)
Now that the covid-19 issues are somewhat under control many folks look forward to getting back to in-person dancing.
NOTE: It will take a little time to get used to the different types of ethnic dance and ethnic music, so you're not expected to get everything on your first night - there is a lot to be learned, and in the end it's worth the effort.
- Meetup Online in EDC's Virtual Dance Room (VDR) - Fridays & 3rd SaturdaysColor Club, Chicago, IL
Ethnic Dance Chicago / Virtual Dance Room
Meeting online (via Zoom)
Meeting in-person (Color Club, 4146 N Elston, Chicago, IL 60618)
Session Leader: Paul CollinsWatch for In Person Chicago Winter Dance Festival on Fri, 1/5/2024
Watch for In Person 10-Week Dance Class beginning starting 1/12/2024VDR meets most Fridays (following the in-person DSL Class) and 3rd Saturdays for wonderful evenings of Ethnic Dancing & Conversation !
(Exceptions: Fridays: 1/19, 1/26, 3/22 - Saturday: Sat 1/27)- Fridays: 8:00pm until 11:30pm Central
- 3rd Saturdays: 8:15pm until 3:00am Central
- Zoom Meeting URL: https://zoom.us/j/8478468139
- Register to get Zoom password (required):
- Registration: https://virtualdanceroom.net/register-meetup/
Typical Friday schedule (Central Time Zone)
- 7:00pm - 8:00pm – Dancing as a Second Language Class with Paul Collins
- 8:00pm – 8:50pm – Set 100 – Programmed & Request Dancing
- 8:50pm – 9:20pm – Set 200 – Guest Host #1 – Teaching and Review
- 9:20pm – 9:50pm – Set 200 – Guest Host #2 – Teaching and Review
- 9:50pm – 10:20pm – Set 300 – Guest Host #2 – Teaching and Review
- 10:20pm – 11:20pm – Programmed & Request Dancing
- 11:20pm – 11:30pm – Last Dance Set
- 11:30pm – until – Post-Dance Discussion
Typical 3rd Saturday schedule (Central Time Zone - no dance teaching)
- 8:15pm-ish – 3:00am – 30 min sets led by 18-20 dance leaders/musicians
- 3:00am – until – Post-Dance Discussion
About Friday Guest Hosts (some play live music)
• Each Guest Host has a set to lead a set of 6 dances
• We rotate Guest Hosts, selecting 3 or 4 at a time
• Weekly agendas, playlists on website – https://virtualdanceroom.net
• Guest Host Team – https://www/virtualdanceroom.net/announcement/3rd Saturday Guest Hosts are a mix of dance leaders and musicians
About the Dance Programs
- The diversity of our virtual audience is far beyond our usual local/regional boundaries, so we'll play fun dances from the broader perspective of a global audience
- The teaching and review sessions provide opportunities for us to share a wider variety of dances from a diverse group of participants, reaching beyond the limits of our local repertoires.
About Post-Dance Discussions
- We'll continue to hold post-dance discussions for those who'd like to
- socialize afterwards
- This has been almost like going out for coffee, dessert, snacks,
- drinks, etc. after dancing...
- On occasion, we’ll schedule specialized discussions
Support the Virtual Dance Room
- Make A Donation to Support the Virtual Dance Room
- While there is no charge to participate, please make a donation to support production of the Virtual Dance Room.
- You may donate using PayPal, Venmo, Zelle, a major credit/debit card or a check via snail mail
- Donation Options: https://virtualdanceroom.net/donate/
- Thanks for your participation and support!
Virtual Dance Room Website: https://virtualdanceroom.net
EDC/VDR YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ethnicdanceguru/
Facebook Fan Page: http://www.facebook.com/ethnicdance/Facebook Discussion Group: http://www.facebook.com/groups/ethnicdance/
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ethnicdanceguru/
Meetup Group: https://www.meetup.com/ethnicdance/Contact: Paul Collins - info@ethnicdance.net - (847)-846-8139
Background:
Prior to the pandemic, Ethnic Dance Chicago (EDC) was meeting in-person at the Chicago Latvian Center (now the Color Club) every week with 20-40 participants - many of whom were not Meetup members.
With the start of the pandemic we transformed EDC into an online group (The Virtual Dance Room) meeting & dancing online on Zoom and drawing between 90 and 130 participants each Friday (weekly dance) and 3rd Saturday (Global Dance After-Party)
Now that the covid-19 issues are somewhat under control many folks look forward to getting back to in-person dancing.
NOTE: It will take a little time to get used to the different types of ethnic dance and ethnic music, so you're not expected to get everything on your first night - there is a lot to be learned, and in the end it's worth the effort.