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Is your dance card full? Want to fill it up more? Just in time for that big mid-February romantic day, and going forward into the new year, ramp up your game by signing up for lessons at Dance and Entertainment Studios, and also take in a ‘Red Carpet’ showcase, grand opening and dance party

Just in time for that day you honor your dance partner, Dance and Entertainment Studios is rolling out new sets of classes for dozens of kinds of the activity, not to mention a grand opening and theme party to keep your feet tapping. And there also is a showcase of dance that even involves the performance format, with the five teachers and their students putting on display just how the lessons can up your game — all while having fun and all before March arrives.
So Dancing Days Are Here Again in Stillwater, just in time for Valentine’s Day and beyond, to quote Led Zeppelin. And we have Ledfoot Larry also. So sign up for some classes and tuck the receipt with a card into the mix with those dozen roses.
It also is a mixer. “Group classes are a fun, social way to learn basic steps, patterns and rhythms of different dances, on an affordable budget. Group classes are great for singles and couples of all ages and are changed monthly,” owners say. “They generally rotate partners, but you can stay with your own partner if you prefer. And you don’t even have to, necessarily, take courses with a partner, you can go it solo for awhile.” Or longer.
So, the rage is currently The Croix. “Our new location in Stillwater is located inside the Heights Hall and Club building, same with the VFW. We are renaming the entire building St. Croix Event Center, or ‘The Croix’ for short, but the old ‘Heights Hall’ sign is still up,” according to an email blast.

<<These are the styles to hone: Cha Cha, Rumba, Swing, Bolero, Mambo, Samba, Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot, Viennese Waltz, Quickstep, Polka, East Coast Swing, West Coast Swing, Lindy Hop, Country Two-Step, Night Club Two-Step, Salsa, Merengue, Bachata, Hustle, Argentine Tango, Line Dancing and Wedding Dances.>>

These are detailed dancing directions. Take Hwy. 36 going east through Stillwater. Turn right (south) onto Omaha Ave N. This is the small street between Speedway and McDonalds. They are the second building behind the gas station. Use the side door and second entrance, very convenient because currently the VFW sign lights the way. “We have a huge parking lot with over 200 parking spaces. Plenty of room inside and out!”
Its dubbed the Dance and Entertainment Studios at The Croix, at 5880 Omaha Ave N. in Stillwater. And you can see them live. “The Red Carpet Grand Opening Event consists of both our studio’s Dance Showcase (dance performances by our students and teachers — with social dancing between events to allow for costume changes, and then a social dance party with DJ music by Tricia Wood.
The dress-to-impress event is Saturday, Feb. 20, and feature free admission to spectators and guests. Here’s the rub — 5:30-7:45 p.m. The Showcase, and 7:45-10 p.m. social dance and the actual Grand Opening dance party. Maybe Jessica Lang is not the only movie star to grace Stillwater’s stages and get photo opps.
Then the following Saturday its the still danceable Ledfoot Larry country dance band. From 5-5:50 p.m. and add a Country Two Step lesson by teachers Troy Lerum and Tricia Wood. Its $10 if you come for the group class and prior to 5:50 p.m., and then from 6-10 p.m. the ditties of the Ledfoot Larry band, with $10 cover charge.
Private lessons are available daily by appointment, even after February passes, and can be booked with any of the instructors: Tricia, Troy, Austen and Emily, at EITHER location. Just send an email to tricia@danceandentertainment.com or text (651) 605-5784 to request your day, time and instructor.
And you may need new attire: Let them know if you wish to stop in for new dance shoes, zipper ties or studio logo wear! Email for an appointment in the Woodbury studio.
Private lesson packages are one for $100, (no two-step tier), but three for for $285 (save $15), five for $450 (save $50, 10 for $850 (save $150). Or bring friends! Three or more people for $120 per lesson, (note the discount). Email tricia@danceandentertainment.com to reserve your spot.
Current classes may still have openings and there will be new rounds of them also. February classes, with four weeks worth, all in a short month. (And you can come in the later stages if you wish).
Mondays: Evenings, Feb. 1, 8, 15, 22: Performance team with Tricia, four weeks for $80 per person, in Stillwater. Or line dancing with Tricia for $40.
Tuesdays: Feb. 2, 9, 16, 23: Beginner salsa with Austen, $40 per person, in Woodbury. Or beginner swing with Austen.
Wednesdays: Feb. 3, 10, 17, 24: Wedding dances with Emily, $40 per person, in Woodbury. Or intermediate foxtrot, part I with Troy
Thursdays: Feb. 4, 11, 18, 25, intermediate rumba, part II with Troy, $40 per person, in Woodbury.
Due to the current Covid guidelines:
Masks are still required in indoor public spaces. Dinner will not be served, but a cash bar will be open. The event and bar curfew is still 10 p.m. An RSVP by email in required for all dance classes and events. The building capacity is 550, and the current mandate allows 25 percent.
Website is www.DanceAndEntertainment.com. Instructors are Tricia Wood, Troy Lerum, Austen Nepp, Emily Weinlick and Leah Waite, offering ballroom, Latin, swing and country.
More precisely, these are the styles: Cha Cha, Rumba, Swing, Bolero, Mambo, Samba, Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot, Viennese Waltz, Quickstep, Polka, East Coast Swing, West Coast Swing, Lindy Hop, Country Two-Step, Night Club Two-Step, Salsa, Merengue, Bachata, Hustle, Argentine Tango, Line Dancing and Wedding Dances.
Got all that? There’s a whole lotta dancin’ goin’ on.

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