- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Coffee & Tea |
- All
The Grand Ballroom
Categories: Arts & Entertainment Performing Arts Education Specialty Schools Dance Schools Performing Arts, Dance Schools [Edit]
12200 Riverside WayRichmond, BC V6W 1K5
(604) 273-3130
- Hours:
Mon-Sat 10 pm - 10 pm
Sun 10 pm - 8:30 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
2 reviews for The Grand Ballroom
2 reviews in English
-
Review from Herman E.
12/8/2011
Ah ha! I'm the first!
Chances are, you will be female if you're reading this! Yes, this is one of my many interests! Although I have not ballroom danced in a while, it is like riding a bike! You never forget the basics!
Andy and Wendy are very good teachers and you can read about their bio on the website! I've seen them perform and they are great.
They teach what is called "international style" ballroom dancing. Google it. I don't want to explain it here. I've danced international style pretty much all my dancing life.
They have rotating classes so that you can go in at any time and not lose out on classes and dances missed.
A couple of observations. Ratio of women to men roughly is 1.5:1 and varies depending on the night and the dance being taught. Because it is in Richmond, expect middle aged and older Asian ladies to be your partner for the evening.
BTW, Gents, this is your last vestige of "male dominance". The dance floor is the last institution of sexism on earth where gentlemen are gentlemen and ladies are ladies. No role reversals allowed.
Me Tarzan you Jane!!!!! Gentlemen lead and ladies follow, no questions asked. The worst thing on the dance floor is a lady that leads or wants to.
Wham:
Call me good
Call me bad
Call me anything you want to baby
But I know that you're sad
And I know I'll make you happy
With the one thing that you never had
Baby, I'm your man don't you know that?
Baby, I'm your manListed in: So you think you can dance?
-
Review from Diana B.
1/15/2012
I was searching for a place to take my parents ballroom dancing, since they were visiting me from California. After doing my research, I came across The Grand Ballroom and was pleasantly surprised by what I found.
I looked at their monthly schedule and decided to inquire about pricing, what days were best to come and if I needed to reserve a spot. The lady over the phone said that I didn't, but that their Boxing Day Tea Dance was suppose to be the busiest time of the year with about 250 people there. I thought " WOW, Great!"
We had gone to dinner at Mr. A's Patio Restaurant in Langley, and met someone who said the Grand Ballroom was a great place and they were going to be at the Tea Dance as well. So, I thought to myself again " Wow, looks like a picked a great place.
Of course, I wanted my parents to enjoy themselves, not just because it was their first time to Canada, but also because they love to dance.
When we arrived, about 15 minutes early, I thought the place would be filled up already. i mean, if you have 250 people expected, I would think everyone would know to come early....
When we walked in there were about 10 people there. I payed $28 for admission for the 2 of them, and felt the crowd out before I let them get on their way...
More people started to show up, but still very sparse.
I guess at the end of the Tea Dance, there really only ended up being 60 people. I was really surprised. Then from what my parents had said, the music is very limited.
Based on their experience, it was just okay. Of course, the place itself is beautiful and spacious. From the looks of it, there are several great instructors and students there.
Again, overall nice place and located in a secluded area, which seems great for privacy. But just an A-OK review.
Specialties
The Grand Ballroom is the largest ballroom dance studio in Canada. It has taught more than 15,000 people how to ballroom dance since its grand opening in 1994. Owners, Andy and Wendy Wong, are widely considered the best instructors in Greater Vancouver in teaching group classes in ballroom dance. Their videos have been sold in more than 20 countries worldwide and surpassed 3 million views on YouTube. Wendy is also a recognized expert in teaching wedding couples for their first dance.
Meet the Business Owner: Andy W.
Andy & Wendy first met at The UBC Dance Club. Together they trained as ballroom dance competitors with some of the best coaches in North American. Their achievements include an unprecedented 13 year reign as BC amateur champions and finalists at the Canadian Championships. During those years, Andy work as a pharmacist at Macdonald's Prescription and London Drugs. Wendy was a costume designer and dressmaker. In 1993, they gave up their careers in pursuit of a dream - to open The Grand Ballroom.
Andy & Wendy's achievements and the continual success of The Grand Ballroom have garnered them the highest respect and admiration from their colleagues not just in the local dance community, but across Canada and the United States. They have done something that no professional has ever done before and very likely will never be duplicated. It is not a coincidence that their group classes are continually the largest in Canada and their students stay loyal to them for many many years.
