Last week I headed to Finsbury Town Hall for my first ever street dance class. Danny, our instructor, was brilliant, giving us lots of praise for our new-found street skills. We learnt a fantastic street dance routine and for a minute, I felt like  a member of the group Diversity! Although I think I looked more pop than street, I have definitely found some new skills for the dance floor over Christmas!

It was really great fun and a great way to start the festive season. I asked some of the other street dance first timers their views on the class:

“I had such a great time, what a blast! The class was pacy, the instructor was patient (a vital trait!) and the music was fun. Put it this way – I felt like I was in a music video.”
Peter, 29, South Africa

“Despite the fact I was red in the face, tripping over my feet, couldn’t talk by the end of it, and two days later am aching all over, I would recommend it to everyone – the most fun I’ve had in ages!”
Jo, 28, Highbury

“Energetic and fun! The teacher was very engaging and broke the routine down into simple to learn steps which meant we picked the routine up fast! I felt like a pro in no time!”
Ruth, 25, Berkshire

“I think it was fantastic fun and I learnt a few amazing moves which will be useful for the future.”
Pru, 44, Surrey

The class was run by City Academy who also run other fab classes such as Musical Theatre and Comedy… what to choose next?

Visit www.city-academy.com for more information.

Then make your theatrical dreams a reality and enter our competition to win a course at leading performing arts school City Academy.

Whether you want to learn to sing, dance or act, City Academy has most disciplines covered. It doesn’t matter whether you’ve got previous performing experience or are a complete beginner. City Academy teaches courses at all levels.

So make 2011 your most creative year yet – we’ll see you on the West End stage soon!

Enter our competition to win a course at City Academy

I attended the beginners’ class taught by Nathan Brade  in the Primo bar, which has a great view over Westminster Bridge. We went through the basic moves and beats and after a few practice runs of the steps we were paired up.

With more ladies then men (always the way), it was great to see some of the pros step in and expertly lead the way.

What I didn’t realise about salsa was how glamorous it is- forget dancing in flats – here the higher the heel the better!

Dressing up to dance makes it into a real occasion and a fun Friday night out. The best thing is that you can be totally comfortable going on your own as it’s not at all imposing and everyone was super-friendly and just wanted to dance.

The teacher was great, and the band were incredible, as were the regular salsa goers who really knew their stuff.

The bar also served some wicked Cuban cocktails, which really gave me some confidence to get dancing when the band started. I didn’t really have much choice as the instructor, Nathan, twirled me around the room!

The best bit of the night came when he told me to relax my knees and suddenly my legs were in the air and my head near the floor. I had been professionally salsa “dipped” and even though it probably looked a complete mess, I felt so graceful and it was brilliant fun.

Salsa night at Park Plaza Westminster Bridge is every Friday from 8pm. Free for hotel guests and £8 for everyone else

The class is described as “suitable for everybody who wants to dance like the Pussycat Dolls.” Well, who doesn’t? Although I imaged myself losing the beat among a group of perfectly-toned music school students.

I tried to hide in the last row with my obligatory gym outfit: leggings, shirt and trainers, and was surprised when everybody else turned up in similar clothes. No little jazz cardigans, no expensive ballet slippers – apparently everybody was just there to have fun too.

That’s Frame’s concept as well. It’s one of the few dance and fitness studios in London where there are no commitments and people are encouraged to get fit in a fun way.

If you don’t want to sign up as a member, you can just drop in to a class (these start from £6). You can also become a friend and get a Frame top-up card that works like an Oyster card and gives you good discounts on classes.

The classes are what make this studio so special.  Aerobicoholics and dance aficionados will be in heaven with the range: from ballet workouts to Jane Fonda tributes and pilates.

The studios are in the Shoreditch Arches, near Great Eastern Street, in recently renovated rooms with huge mirrors and wooden floors.

Bonnie, our enthusiastic teacher, who also dances on the X Factor, chose the new Alicia Keys and Beyoncé track, Put It In A Love Song, for the class . The choreography was based on street and hip-hop moves but she mixed in some belly-dance and latin routines as well.

It was so much fun that I was still dancing when I got home and will certainly go again. Are you ready to move your frame too?

More dance classes in London

Here at VL Towers we’ve come up with one very simple resolution, and happily it doesn’t involve dieting, budgeting or making any life-changing decisions. It’s simply to make the most of London!

There’s nowhere better to try something new, learn a new skill or get your culture fix than the capital. We’ve come up with a few resolutions we hope you’ll want to keep:

Get Fit The Fun Way

If you fancy getting in shape this year, there are plenty of alternatives to slogging it out at the gym.

Try a jogging tour to combine sightseeing with running. These tours take you on a guided run through some of London’s famous landmarks and routes are available for all fitness levels.

If you’ve been bitten by the Strictly Come Dancing bug, why not learn a few moves yourself at a London dance class? Ballet, belly dancing and ballroom are all covered.

Cycling is a great way to incorporate exercise into your daily routine. You’ll save money on transport costs and can get away with wearing fluorescent clothing!

Expand Your Horizons

Do you need a hobby? Do you have a list of things interests you’d love to develop if only you had the time? Then forget the housework and make learning your top priority in 2010.

Train your brain with a short course at City Lit in Covent Garden. The college has a huge range of courses available, from languages to massage to counselling skills.

Have you always fancied yourself on the West End stage? Don’t put yourself through the humiliation of a reality TV show, try a musical theatre course at City Academy! Here you’ll learn the skills of music, acting and dance and will get to perform such classics as the Joseph Mega Mix.

If you’re more of an introspective type, sign up to a free meditation course at Inner Space. There are three centres in London and topics include self esteem, relaxation and time management.

Everyone’s a paparazzi nowadays but make sure your photos stand out with a photography course at Shoot Experience. As well as learning valuable skills, you get to run around in groups photographing interesting parts of London.

Treat Yourself

Instead of cutting things out, we think you should do more. If you fancy an art exhibition, show or gig – just go!

Book a table at that restaurant you’ve always fancied trying, or pamper yourself at a spa – you deserve it!

Do you have any New Year’s resolutions? Tell us what you’re planning to do in London in 2010.