The best of Belltown and Downtown 2009

Best Place to Meet Singles: Belltown Dance Studio. Fellas let me tell you, there are nothing but single girls in this place taking salsa lessons. I walk past this place some nights and the place is filled with ladies. The best part about the lessons is that you rotate dance partners and the girls you dance with know you don't know how to dance, so there's no use in trying to dance cool. Trust me, you'll meet more single girls in a 6-week dance lesson here than you will at any bar. Ladies, you'll meet a guy who will never outshine you on the dance floor, and is also financially stable enough to possibly buy you a drink afterwards or pay for parking.

David Nelson

http://blog.seattlepi.com/insidebelltown/archives/189432.asp

DECEMBER 29, 2009

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Don't Hesitate to checkout this Great Studio

When I moved to Seattle 2 years ago, I was walking through Belltown and saw a sign for salsa classes with Jim Chow. I registered for class and its been a blast - I haven't stopped dancing since! :) Jim gave me a solid foundation in the dance and taught me a lot. He loves the dance, the community and his students: he cares a lot about the quality of learning and dancing that he helps to teach and promote. Not only does he teach; he also pulls his students into the dance community to help them expand their dancing by going outside the classroom to dance. He can be an exacting teacher because he cares about all the little details. The events at his studio are a blast! If you're just contemplating learning to dance salsa - stop and just come to his studio on Sunday's for practica to check things out. Its a friendly atmosphere with a great floor and space where everyone is dancing with everyone (Jim included) regardless of level.‎

Frances Tee

Dec 28, 2009

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To be completely honest, I was a bit intimidated by Jim Chow at first... I have heard some not so nice things, but was determined to not believe everything I hear, and to personally find out for myself if there was any truth to the rumors. And so I started talking to him as a person, took a private lesson from him, and observed parts of his group classes to see how he was as a teacher. The result - not only do I consider this man one of the best Salsa teachers in Seattle, but I'm also proud to call him my friend. He's incredibly professional, curtious, humorous, and truly cares about his students and their progress. He is the kind of teacher who will work with you until you get it and is always there to help. Above all, he truly loves not only dancing, but teaching Salsa. His studio is downright beautiful and his practicas are fun and welcoming for all levels.

Anna Peskin

Dec 28, 2009

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The Product Sells Itself....‎

Six months ago, I didn't know dancing from a hole in the ground. I'd never danced a day in my life. Unless you count the Budweiser boogie back in my college days. I walked past Jim's superb studio and said to myself "Let's give it a go.". Now, six months later and having taken five of Jim's dance courses, I'm busting moves on the Salsa dance floor like I'd never imagined I could. Why? One word. Jim! The man's product is top notch. OK. Some people have used some words to describe his human interaction abilities. Jim can be a bit on the direct side but the other words used are total BS. Jim is direct because he is passionate and sincere in what he does. Which is to teach people how to dance Salsa! If you are doing the move wrong, he will call you on it until you get it right. You will appreciate that about him once you are on the real Salsa dance floor. The difference between a mediocre Salsa dancer and the really good ones is all in the details. Jim hammers home the details until you get it right. If you want to dance Salsa really well, you learn from Jim. If you want ultra sensitivity and hugs and kisses, well ... go see a priest or therapist. Now, thanks to Jim, the women are starting to ask me to dance. The product speaks for itself.

Greg M. Thompson

Dec 28, 2009

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Jim Chow has done so many great things for the Seattle Salsa Community! He continuously organizes numerous events and brings together dancers of all levels, as well as most local instructors. Thanks to Jim, students have many chances to compete (in various styles) and win great prizes. People come from Vancouver B.C., Portland and other places to attend his events. He organized summer beach parties (the attendance was incredible), salsa and bachata competitions, belly-dancing and zumba instruction etc. I have been involved in the Seattle salsa scene for a few years, I have taken classes from numerous instructors, I have performed and during these few years, and I have watched Jim bring everyone together instead of trying to prove his style is what you should learn and he is the only good instructor (like some try to do). Everyone I know feels the same way, whether they dance on1, on2, cumbia, on5... As far as taking classes from other instructors, most salsa dancers will take lessons from more than one instructor and there is nothing wrong with that. They will learn something from everyone.
Keep up the great work Jim!

John S

December 24, 2009

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"Instructor who has SO much to offer!"

All my friends just roll their eyes when I start talking salsa. I’ve been addicted to it for a few months already and it’s just getting better. There are two things that are necessary to grow as a salsa dancer. One of them is social dancing, which can be pretty intimidating for a beginner. There are a lot of great accomplished dancers who know what they are doing. That’s where the second important thing comes in – a good salsa instructor. I feel like I found such instructor in Jim Chow. There is so much value in every hour of the class that Jim teaches; informative, creative, with personal attention, focus on detail, giving you basics (if you are a beginner), polishing your body work, stretching your abilities, and at the same time helping you to find your personal unique style, and to top it all off the classes are just pure fun. And I wouldn’t even want to stop there, because there is so much more to Jim Chow :) I love attending his practica on Sunday and now Wednesday nights, all students are welcomed, it is very laid-back and gives you great opportunity to practice what you learnt, to enter the social scene with fun and ease. There are different opinions and dancing styles, but one thing is for certain – there are few amazing and respected instructors out there, and Jim Chow is one of them. He is a great instructor who has so much to offer to the students of all levels. Or, and did I mention that Jim is one of my favorite leads to dance with?!

Anya A. Savranskaya

December 27, 2009

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"Jim - Thanks again for hosting a great event for the Seattle salsa community.  Looking forward to the next one.

Ladies destroyed the men in the battle. I was so captivated (putting it lightly) by the ladies routine that I completely forgot what I just learned."

Jesse Robbins

November 7, 2009

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"I had so much fun at cellars tonight! I think the extra lesson really helped me out ;) see you next week!"

Sara

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October 13, 2009

To me, a sexy person is all about the way a person carries them self. A cool person to talk to. Someone you can sit next to on a long flight and have the time fly by due to the interaction. Someone that wants to call you on their way home from work every day. Sexy is all about the way a person acts when nobody is looking. A good-spirited individual that you can laugh with, cry with, and is just a super cool person.

I've managed to put together a list of people I recommend you say hi to in Belltown should you see them. These aren't celebrities, athletes, or supermodels; they're regular people just like you and I. These people have great personalities, are super friendly and just a cool person in our community.

Jim Chow is a dance instructor at Belltown Dance Studio. His studio instructs people with two left feet, and experienced people as well. His studio benefits single people and couples alike.

“ It's another source of information on Salsa happenings. Jim works hard to put together good programs and deserves more support from the Salsa community. ”

Chris on Oct 25, 2009.