“Once someone learns to dance there’s no turning back. It stays with you for a lifetime.” – Lucy Karakas, Lucille’s Ball, Burlington

You’ve heard the music on beaches, seen twirling skirts on park pavilions. From Niagara to Toronto there’s a whole community of people who know how to have a good time. It’s impossible not to smile when you waltz or bachata, because nothing says unadulterated joy like dancing in perfect rhythm with other happy souls.

Everyone needs human connection. The psychological and physical effects are so significant, scientists say that social contact can boost life expectancy. Dancing instantly provides these benefits. For couples, moving in unison to music reignites romance every time. For singles, an evening of dance is the ultimate feel-good indulgence. 

The workout isn’t just physical, it’s cerebral and improves coordination. “Dancing improves your brain health by getting you out of your left brain thinking and into your body,” says Lucy Karakas, owner of Lucille’s Ball dance studio in Burlington.

Karakas teaches many styles of couples dance. “Ballroom is more structured and gives an impression of gliding along the floor,” she says. “Latin has more hip movements, spins, arm movements. It requires more coordination and takes a bit longer to master, but you’ll have fun right away when you start learning.”

Every style is great for morale and self-confidence. Dancers learn how to move gracefully and stand with perfect posture. They have a built-in social outlet and are a well-dressed, energetic breed. “Once someone learns to dance there’s no turning back,” Karakas says. “It stays with you for a lifetime.”

GIVE IT A WHIRL

Latin music has always been integral to the ambiance at Taste of Colombia Fair Trade Coffee in Bronte. By popular demand from clients, the cafe began hosting dance lessons and socials twelve years ago and expanded to add a dance floor, El Salon. “Salsa Night in Oakville” became an established event that happens every Saturday from 6 to 11 p.m. No previous experience is required, and attendees can show up with or without a partner.

“It’s less intimidating than a club,” says Yury We-Parra, founder of Taste of Colombia. “Movement through dance is very healing.

“Salsa dancing, as a form of physical conversation, fosters deep connections between people,” says Melanie Gillis, Founder of Studio-G Dance in Hamilton, which is both a dance school and a gorgeous venue for a night of social dancing.

Gillis started frequenting Latin clubs several years ago and immersed herself in the vibrant and growing community. “We are lucky to have so many great spots where we can dance and make friends in this area,” she says. “I feel blessed to be part of it all!”

PICK YOUR PASSION

There are dances for all tastes, personalities, and fitness levels. Swing and Lindy Hop involve playfully bopping to fast-paced, swingin’ tunes, typically from the hot jazz and big band eras. Ballroom dances like the waltz, cha cha and fox trot feature elegant, timeless moves to a range of classical or jazzy music. Latin dances involve more improvisational hip motions and foot work, to rhythmic roots music of various origins.

And then there’s Argentine tango. “Passionate, romantic and intense” is how Miguel Coppini, maestro de tango argentino and owner of Miguel y Michelle Tango, describes it. “A couples dance steeped in the culture, Argentine tango originated in Buenos Aires and features a close but flexible embrace, basic steps, figures and patterns.”

The term “Argentine tango” also refers to a musical repertoire spanning many eras, even back to the early 1900s. It’s commonly described as something you feel in the heart, not just in the feet.

To observers, tango is lovely to watch. And the outfits! In classes and workshops anything goes – dance shoes with smooth soles being the only requirement – but at milongas (dance parties), women wear heels up to 11 cm high and sexy, unique designs.

“Skirts, dresses and flowing pants allow and show off the follower’s leg movements,” Coppini says. “Men usually wear a shirt and dress pants in more casual situations and a full suit if they want to impress. Wearing black is very popular.”

Get off the couch, turn off your devices, and get dolled up. The music’s starting.

By Michelle Morra

Local Dance Lessons & Socials:

ARGENTINE TANGO

Miguel y Michelle Coppini
33 Shepherd Road, Oakville
miguelymichelletango.com

SALSA & BACHATA

Olé to Dance
594 Chartwell Road, Oakville
oletodance.ca

Studio-G Dance Hamilton
126 James Street North, 3rd Floor, Hamilton
studioghamilton.com

Taste of Colombia Fair Trade Coffee
67 Bronte Road, Oakville
tasteofcolombia.ca

SWING

Ancaster (Burlington)
West Coast Swing
3323 Mainway, Burlington
towestcoast.com/ancaster

Steel City Swing
steelcityswingdance.ca

VARIOUS

Boleo, Oakville
284 Church Street, Oakville
boleodancestudio.com

danceScape
2077 Pine Street, Burlington
dancescape.com

Lucille’s Ball Dance Club
4375 Mainway, 2nd Floor,
Burlington
lucillesball.dance

When Bert Jackson opened the doors of Way Cool Tattoos 24 years ago in Oakville, his parents were dead set against it. Back then, tattoos belonged to the realm of misfits and rebels, not to their private-school-educated son. 

Fast forward to today and tattoos, once a symbol of rebellion against the mainstream, have become, well, mainstream. 

“I’ve become a respectable member of the community!” Bert says, sounding almost surprised. “You’d be amazed how many parents come in here giving consent for their 16- or 17-year-old kids.” Some have even gone under the needle themselves. “We had a mother and daughter get matching flowers. It was something really meaningful to them and it was really sweet to see.”

Bert credits reality TV shows like Ink Masters and Miami Ink for changing people’s perceptions of body art. Suddenly, tattoo parlours weren’t intimidating dens of ink and needles for those on the fringe but places of creative self-expression for people from all walks of life. “People who didn’t know much about tattoos were seeing heart-warming stories of people getting tattoos, like someone wanting to commemorate their deceased grandfather. And they’re thinking ‘what a nice way to celebrate them. And oh, I lost somebody in my life, maybe I’ll get a tattoo.’”

Perhaps the real MVP is social media. Every selfie became an opportunity for celebrities to flaunt their fresh ink as a statement of style, and was more likely to attract Instagram likes these days than raised eyebrows. 

“If Rihanna has a new tattoo, then all the girls will come in and get it. It’s the same thing for basketball players,” he says. A wide cross-section of clients visits his studio. They include young and returning customers, but also nurses, firefighters, police officers and teachers alike seeking out his expertise. He’s skilled in many disciplines, including traditional Japanese art and realistic animal designs. 

“Things have really changed since I got my first tattoo in my early 20s.” And so has his life. He grew up in Toronto and was “very much an urban kind of dude” when he got a Buddhist motif inked on his chest, representing the root causes of human suffering. Since then, he’s had a family and moved to Oakville, which promised a healthier lifestyle and more nature. Oh, and that first tattoo? It now sits among an ever-expanding ink collection adorning his body. 

Becoming a tattoo master was a natural fit since he was, and still is, a visual artist. His home is covered with vibrant-coloured paintings and eclectic sculptures he made for shows held in Toronto galleries. One notable piece, a bronze sculpture of a hammerhead shark, commemorates the death of Rob Stewart, the Canadian activist and director of films like Sharkwater. Another, an aluminum-cast sculpture of Donald Trump’s head on the body of a menacing octopus, serves as Bert’s social commentary on the former president. “I made three of them pairing Trump’s head with an animal I thought said something about him as a person. There’s one at the tattoo shop,” he says, taking a pause and smirking before he continues. “It’s a pig.”

At Way Cool Tattoos, Bert encourages his team of five tattooists to display their artwork as well, and fosters a friendly, creative atmosphere that’s more akin to a hair salon than the stereotypical surly tattoo parlours of the nineties. “We try to be disarming,” he explains, emphasizing the collaborative nature of the tattooing process with clients. “I love the creativity involved and that I’m able to express myself. But you know, what I really like about tattooing is the social aspect,” Bert adds. “People come to me with ideas that I never would have thought of. Not only do you have a lot of interesting projects, but you also meet a lot of interesting people.”

The studio has been located in the Kerr Village for so long – it’s the oldest tattoo shop in Oakville – that he’s known as “the tattoo guy.” Even his parents, albeit still opposed to tattoos, have accepted his line of work. “I guess they’re like, ‘if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.’” 

LOCAL LINKS

Way Cool Tattoos
494 Kerr Street, Oakville
Waycooloakville.com

Good Point Tattoos
136 Trafalgar Road, Oakville
Gptattoos.com

The Golden Pearl Tattoo
77 Lakeshore Road West, Oakville
Thegoldenpearl.ca

Zen Tattoo Studio
2342 Lakeshore Road West, Oakville
Zentattoostudio.com

Lionheart Tattoo
5048 Fairview Street, Burlington
Lionhearttattoo.ca

Painted People Tattoo Company
472 Elizabeth Street, Burlington
Paintedpeopletattoos.ca