New to Social Dancing? We Can Help.

Where should I park?

Located in the heart of downtown Winona, The ARC is easy to locate at the intersection of Main and 5th Streets. There is ample street parking, including accessible parking spots right up next to the building. Please note that parking spots with a time limit are NOT timed in the evenings and on the weekends.

See the map below for the locations of all FREE City of Winona parking lots in the downtown area.

DO NOT park in Wesley United Methodist Church’s private parking lot or in the Post Office’s parking lot.
Which door do I use to get into The ARC?

Enter The ARC’s building using the ramp entrance, it’s on the side of the building facing Wesley United Methodist Church.
How much does it cost to attend a dance?
What if I don't have a partner?

No partner? No problem! Both singles and couples show up to our dances. We even encourage dancers to switch partners often (however, there is no pressure to do so if they are not comfortable). In short, ALL ARE WELCOME, regardless of whether they attend with a partner or not.
What shoes should I wear?

We recommend wearing shoes that do not stick or grip the floor (tennies are NOT your friend here). The goal is to spin and slide easily. We also advise against steel-toed boots, as they are quite painful on the floor to a fellow dancer in the off-chance that they are stepped on their toe is stubbed. The ideal footwear is a soft-soled shoe (one that you would not wear outside) that can bend in half and stretch easily. You can find a wealth of options here: https://www.danceandsway.com/collections/ballroom-shoes
What if I don't know how to ballroom dance?

Well, then you are in the right place! We LOVE beginners and we pride ourselves on being a dance club that is open and accepting to all levels of experience. During the 1-hour lesson prior to the dance, we teach a beginner-level dance, specifically catered to those who are first-time ballroom dancers or attendees. Our goal is to help people feel comfortable and welcome on the dance floor. We know that you’ve already put yourself out there by walking in the door, so let us help you with the rest! We want you to relax, have fun, and learn along the way.

We prepare a setlist for the night that lists each song and the corresponding dance style that matches it (rumba, tango, etc) so you are never guessing or feeling clueless. Several of us are also wearing buttons that say, “Dance Ambassador” That means that we are available and willing to help teach you during the night. If you have questions on a specific dance move, or simply would like a partner to share a dance with, you can count on us to step in.
Is there any dance etiquette I should know about ahead of time?

Social dances don’t have to be stuffy or rule-based. That being said, a little bit of pre-planning helps things go smoother on the floor. Check out our Dance Roadmap below for info on how to travel around the dance floor, as well as what to do when a song ends:

Click here, or the image above, to see a larger version.
Is there anything to eat or drink at a dance?
Who comes to these dances?

A variety of people of all ages walks of life, sexual orientations, and dance abilities attend the River City dances. We love how each event is a diverse melting pot, binding everyone together through the common thread of dance. We have had dancers as young as high school age and as old as 90+ attend, and we wouldn’t have it any other way. No matter your age or background, we promise you will find someone similar to you at a River City Dance.
How should I dress?

Most attendees dress casually. Some wear jeans, while others wear dresses or slacks. That being said, we encourage costumes (Decade Dance, Adult Prom, & Night At The Movies ) as well as extra dressy attire (Winter Formal). Dress in a way that expresses your authentic self and allows for freedom of movement! There is no “dress code” per se other than that a shirt and shoes are required.
What kind of music is played at the dances?

We pride ourselves on having a wide variety of music played at our dances! We play classic standards, modern hits, and everything in between. Stan Breitlow has carefully mixed and edited every song to be 2-3 minutes long (the sweet spot for dancers), all at a danceable tempo so no one leaves feeling frustrated with the speed (too slow) or exhausted (too fast). We work very hard to include music for foxtrots, tangos, rumbas, waltzes, cha-chas, sambas, swings (triple & single), hustles, salsas, and more to each and every one of our dance setlists. But don’t just take our word for it…come check it out for yourself!

Interested in suggesting a song? Click here to fill out our song suggestion form.
What about inclement weather?
What are the dance punch cards?