Put on your dancing shoes and bring out the artiste within

Conducting free dance classes to aspiring young dancers, as a part of 'An Artiste Within' series of workshops sponsored by Khaleej Times, this self-proclaimed 'evangelist' of dance says that every person has it in them to dance and all they need to do is let go of their inhibitions and insecurities.

"Dance is the most beautiful form of performing arts which unites everybody irrespective of their cultures. As long as people have the will to dance and have a good teacher to teach them, I can safely say that everybody will be giving some of the world's leading dancers a run for their money," he said enthusiastically.

Teaching various form of Latin dances such as the salsa, rumba and the cha-cha, Simon says that each dance represents a culture, a drop in the ocean of universal diversities.

"Through dance, people can be transported into the past and across human boundaries. If you want to explore the sensual side, you can learn the tango or if you simply want to have a bit of fun, you can explore the cha-cha or the rhumba. Dance reflects nearly every expression of life, be it happiness or sorrow," he says.

For Simon's students, the workshop comes as a welcome relief from the unending heat and considering the fact that it's completely free, it comes as the icing on the cake. Said Trishna Parwani, a student: "I was always very apprehensive of taking to the dance floor as I thought that I had two left feet. But through this workshop, I have learnt that not only can I dance but can actually dance well! All my friends are amazed and want to know my secret."

Founder of Dubai's first professional ballroom and Latin dance school, the 'Leaders Dance Club'. Simon says that Dubai is brimming with talent which further needs to be encouraged through the provision of more dance schools and cultural events.

"Someone once told me that Dubai has become a cemetery for talent as there was a lack of cultural events taking place. I did agree with them to a certain extent but all this is about to change as Dubai is all set to become the next New York. People here are very interested to learn different forms of dance be it the jive, rock 'n' roll, salsa, merengue or the Vienese waltz, but the only problem is the lack of trained instructors. The moment a cultural hub is created for such dances, more people will automatically attend such events," he says.

Sonya Kripalini, Programme Director of 'An Artist Within' and the organiser of the workshop, said that the aim of the event was to hone the talents of the local community through which people's inherent talent can be utilised. "We have had an enormous response for our dance workshop and are aware that tapping talents is a milestone on the path of self awareness. Dance not only gives us self confidence but also helps us discover the spaces we share with our friends as well as strangers," she said.

The event is sponsored by Khaleej Times, Bloch Dance Footwear and the ARN Network.