Last week, the Boston area Arthur Murray studios participated in the taping of an episode for a local reality TV program called “Iron Brides.” Eight brides are competing to win prizes. One of their challenges is to learn to ballroom dance for their first dance at their weddings.

We had so much fun! Our Boston Studio Manager, Kia, explained the process that Arthur Murray uses to teach couples for their weddings. She gave them lots of hints about how to make their first dance very special. Kia talked about what makes a good first dance song, how long to plan for lessons, how to decide if the dance should be elaborate and fully choreographed or simple and elegant, and how to pick the song based on the dance style appropriate for the music.

She taught the brides several basic steps in Rumba, Waltz, and Foxtrot in a group class and then turned them over to our professional instructors for some one-on-one time. At the end of our time together, they were all so excited to bring their fiances to our studios for lessons. We’ve offered to teach the couples over the next month and a half. At the end of August, they will compete in front of our judges to see who wins this challenge.

I can’t wait to see them all again and find out what else they have for challenges and to see them glide across the dance floor!!! We here at Arthur Murray know that EVERYONE can dance. It’s so much fun to watch it happen right in front of our eyes.

Meet the contestants –> Season II Intro

For several years, our studios have participated in a local version of Dancing With the Stars that benefits the Fields Corner Main Street historic commercial district.  Each year, several Arthur Murray dance instructors pair up with local celebrities to compete in the show.  They practice for several weeks beforehand and then hit the stage with a choreographed dance.  This year, the event was held on June 18.  Dancing from our Boston area studios were Christine McCarthy, Carol Lanzillo, Victoria Roark,  Stanislav Ivanov, Tom Butler, and Kato Paul.

Vietnamese Small Business Association of Boston President and owner of Vinna Auto Sales & Service Toan “Vinnie” Than and his partner Christine McCarthy from Arthur Murray’s Boston studio were this year’s winners.  They danced a tango that wowed the audience.

The local celebrities who danced were WCVB-TV Channel 5 meteorologist J.C. Monahan, former “Mayor of Dorchester” the Galvin Group’s Craig Galvin, Home for Little Wanderers’ Joan Wallace-Benjamin who danced with her husband Milton Benjamin from Initiative for a New Economy, Healthworks at Codman Square’s and The Biggest Loser contestant Andrea Baptiste, Miss Massachusetts USA 2009 Alison Cronin and local star comedian Corey Manning. 

The event was hosted by WCVB-TV Channel 5′s Karen Holmes Ward and David Brown.  Celebrity judges included former Boston Celtics star JoJo White, Improper Bostonian columnist Jonathan Soroff, El Mundo’s Editor in Chief Alberto Vasallo III and last year’s winner Mary Truony from Caritas Carney Hospital. 

For pictures of the event, visit Mike Ritter’s website.  Mike donated his time to take great photos of the evening.