Heat Up the Dance Floor!

Finally! The sun’s up high in the sky, the days are getting longer, the schools are gearing up for break and the familiar Northern Nevada heat is signaling spring’s transition to summer. And in case you haven’t heard, summer might be the most exciting time of year in Carson City.

It’s when we wine-walk under the shady trees of downtown, go bike riding along a scenic trail, pack up the van and take the family camping at Lake Tahoe and spend those warm weekend nights with a cool drink, dancing along to some live music at a street party beneath the stars.

Wait — don’t you know how to dance? Sure, after a few drinks at the Fox Pub, no one’s going to be judging anyone else’s moves. But have you thought that, perhaps, before those hot nights roll around and you find yourself at a club or dance party grasping for the moves that will impress not only your date but everyone else in the general vicinity, you might want to learn a few tricks? Even just get some practice and have a blast doing it? Then this weekend is your chance.

Full disclosure here: I’m not much of a dancer myself. I mean, I might be able to hold my own, but there are just so many styles of dancing out there that even if you’re an expert in one dance, you could always learn a few things about another. Here I’ve put together a few Carson City stops for those dedicated to learning a few moves or just for toe-tapping outside of your comfort zone and shaking up your weekend plans with a spouse or friend.

I’m treating learning to dance as if it were getting in swimsuit shape for the summer. So in this case, Yaple’s Ballroom in Downtown Carson City is your gym. Friday night’s got a special West Coast Swing Dance evening lined up at 7 p.m., and as you’ll see, swing dancing is big in Carson City this weekend. For $10, get into swing formation with some cha cha lessons, then dive into a lively swing dance party to the jiving tunes of DJ Steve Woods. You’ll two-step, waltz, hustle and more with the guided expertise of Yaple’s staff.

Then, just like with any dedicated workout routine, you’ve got to be up early. Saturday morning at 8 a.m., Yaple’s has an hour-long belly dancing class. Caffeinate, then hit the floor to add some international diversity to your dance repertoire. Belly dancing has a vibrant and meaningful history — challenge yourself to learn some of its secrets.

Don’t be afraid to throw some of your newfound tricks into your step as you become the life of the party at the RoseBuds Dance at the Brewery Arts Center on Saturday night at 7 p.m. Put on your best 1920s attire and twirl your way through RoseBud Dance Band’s swinging Big Band jazz with some modern flourishes. With the band’s horns blazing in the background, this will give you a chance to practice your swing moves in a fun community setting or perhaps show off your skills. Tickets are $12 at the door.

You’ll be tearing up the dance floor enough this weekend to work up an appetite. I suggest bringing the heat in a different way by heading to Virginia City for the annual Chili on the Comstock festival. For 34 years the festival has been spicing up Northern Nevada, and it seems only appropriate to take a break from the swing dancing and spice up your weekend as well. Right in the old Western heart of town, Chili on the Comstock has more than 30 competitors vying for a spot in the International Chili Society World Finals with delicious, hot homemade chili this Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m to 4 p.m. After your taste test, take part in the scorching Fireball Saloon Crawl across Virginia City. After a few pints at the Bucket of Blood Saloon, you might just be ready bring that heat to the next dance floor you find.

Luckily enough, after the weekend burns through and the new week has begun, spend your Monday evening at El Charro Avitia's weekly High Sierra Swing Dance Club at 6 p.m. That’s right — your dancing passion isn’t exclusive to the weekend. You’re training, remember? Start to perfect that swing dance style in an unstructured and supportive environment.

If you keep some of these classes and practices up, you’ll be the shining star of every party. Pretty soon you won’t ever have to bring the heat — the heat will come to you.

As always, look for more events on our Daytime, Nightlife and Community pages.