Arthur Murray has been a leading name in franchise dance since 1912, when the entrepreneur began selling mail-order dance lessons. Expanding his reach, he enlisted teachers to spread his signature dance lessons on first-class steamships and skyrocketed to fame in the '30s after introducing the public to such dances as the Lambeth Walk and the Big Apple. By the 1950s, Arthur and his wife, Kathryn, were hosting their own highly popular TV show on ABC, the Arthur Murray Dance Party, which ran for 12 years. Today, Arthur Murray's team prepares students for rug cutting at special events and weekend nightclub jaunts. Clients who arrive to lessons partnerless will be paired up with other classmates as the instructors assess their current skill level and make recommendations on the most appropriate program. Throughout lessons, instructors teach the foundations of two to four dances from a long list of styles that range from Latin to country-western, helping students to learn basic step patterns, timing, and the ability to lead or follow.

Everything's coming up roses at Houston's best theater, Super Happy Fun Land. Every great place has a restaurant on the side. When you come to this club, it's no different. Super Happy Fun Land is the perfect spot to enjoy a great meal outside (weather permitting). Browse our well-crafted drink menu and indulge in a tasty alcoholic beverage. Move and groove to the club's live music, and energize your evening. Noise levels at the club can be ear-piercing, so save the t te- -t tes for another night. Interested in eating out over the weekend? Keep in mind that the club gets swamped on Fridays and Saturdays, and service may take longer than expected. The club is next to a parking lot, but drivers can also settle for street parking. Major credit cards — including Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express — are accepted.

The consortium of professional instructors at Fred Astaire Dance Studios, which was cofounded by the legendary toe tapper himself, shepherds students of all ages and skill levels through lessons that span the style spectrum. Low-pressure private sessions allow enthusiastic teachers to fine-tune individual students' techniques and form, using their expert eyes and mechanical dancing shoes preprogrammed to do the Charleston. Patrons can learn how to cavort through classic waltz and fox-trot romps or swivel through the modern steps of salsa, swing, or samba. For dancers hoping to hoof it up in a social setting, the group practice parties provide a one-night extravaganza of instruction, demonstrations, and amateur firewalking.

Main Street Theater was founded in 1975, and its first production occurred in June of that year: Noel Coward’s Hay Fever. That production set off a string of critically acclaimed performances over the next several years, spurring MST to pack up its sets, bubble-wrap its actors, and move to a larger location on Times Boulevard in 1981. Less than 15 years later, the company parlayed its success into a second and much larger location at Chelsea Market. Inside both venues, MST offers three primary programs, including Theater for Youth and a MainStage program designed to showcase large-scale classics and musicals. The company also boasts an education department, which hosts year-round classes and camps for aspiring performers.

At Soundbox Studios, the human body is the preferred artistic medium. Owners and brothers Andrew and Duy Nguyen, along with Calvin Eata, have created an encouraging space that supports the Houston dance community. Skilled instructors oversee hip-hop classes for all levels, teaching basic moves and rhythm patterns that students will later modify and make their own as they progress through the curriculum. The Soundbox also sports their own sharply dressed crop of performance teams, including The Lady Rascals, Riot Squad, and Lunchbox, a preadolescent crew capable of breakdancing their ABCs.

All the world's a stage, but Amy Blake's Academy of Dance in Houston offers the best shows around. If a bite's all you're after, then you'll want to stop by this theater for a delicious fill of their home-cooked food. Got kids? No problem at Amy Blake's Academy of Dance! This theater is a fantastic spot for families to hang together. At Amy Blake's Academy of Dance, dancers of all levels can experiment with movement and hone their skills through one of many heart-pumping classes. Parking is plentiful, so guests can feel free to bring their vehicles.