About Us

What is the Rainbow Latin and Ballroom Dance Club of Toronto?

The Rainbow Latin and Ballroom Dance Club of Toronto was developed to provide a place where gay men and lesbians, bisexuals and transgendered people (and their friends and supporters) could have a place where they could feel comfortable dancing with the partner of their choice. Traditional heterosexual dance lessons and clubs often feel stifling and uncomfortable to queer folk, and because many people go to dance lessons to meet somone "special", potentially embarrassing situations can evolve if the woman or man you are dancing with has a different sexual orientation.

In response to this need, we have created a non-profit, participant-operated community-based dance club. Since few people in the GLBTQ community knew how to dance when we first started, our first task was to originally offer lessons to anyone who wanted them. At the same time, we also undertook to contact other clubs and organizations in the community to raise their awareness of latin and ballroom dancing, letting them know the group existed. We now also provide regular social events (dances, parties and other events) where our members can dance in a GLBTQ-friendly social setting.

What are the classes like?

Dance lessons are held on a weekly basis. Our dance instructors are professionals who tailor the lesson to fit the varied levels of ability of those attending. Intake is continuous, so you don't have to commit to a set number of classes and there's no waiting for a new session to start, no matter how much of a beginner you are.

If you're a beginner, you will also get lots of support from the more intermediate and advanced students who are available at the start of each beginner lesson, to dance with you and help you learn the steps. You can work at your own pace, and you don't need to bring a partner. The only things you will need are loose, comfortable clothing and clean flexible shoes, preferably with a leather soles. (Birkenstocks, sneakers and sandals will stick to the floor and make dancing more difficult. Don't say we didn't warn you).

What is Ballroom Dancing?

Ballroom dancing is actually a series of ten dances which originated in Europe and North and South America. Some of the dances (the waltz, for example) go back to the end of the 18th century, while others (like swing and the tango) are only a few decades old. We teach all of the standard "traditional" latin and ballroom dances such as the waltz, swing, fox-trot, tango, rhumba, cha-cha and samba. And, just so you don't feel completely left out on the dance floor when you go out, we also teach salsa, mambo and merengué.

Ballroom dancing may not look strenuous, but it's actually a low-impact aerobic work-out, helping you stay fit and healthy while having a bit of fun. Studies have shown that people who compete in ballroom dance-sport competitions on an international level are as fit as any professional athlete. Ballroom dancing has been offered as a showcase event at the recent Olympic Games (and has always been a sport offered at the Gay Games).

And even if you never compete in the Olympics, we can help you stay fit and move with a grace you may never have thought possible. Just click on to the "Lessons" page to get information about current lessons and other events.