queen city ballroom press

8/7/2019 Queen City Ballroom Press

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Elegant ballroom is a place for all agesSOUTHPARK AREA

ANET HAAS

Long before the Dancing With theStars phenomenon swept thenation, Dana Glandon was hookedand had waltzed her way to asuccessful career in ballroom

dancingBut the SouthPark resident wasntalways hot for the foxtrot. Whenher parents began lessons at a FredAstaire studio in 1988, she wasreluctant to join them.I didnt want to dance with old

fogies. But finally, after a year ofthem asking, I went. Of course, Ifell in love with it, Glandon said.And she loved it so much the

then-Realtor bought the franchisefour months later, which she soldin 1996.Since then, Glandon has owned

and operated two more studios withher partner, Tony Prado, theircurrent business being Queen CityBallroom. She went on to becomethe 2006 national Ballroom Dancechampion in the InternationalStandard Division.

Through her love affair withballroom dancing, Glandon got herjust rewards. Once several poundsoverweight, the shrewd businesswoman quickstepped her way to asleek size 4. Glandon said, Itransitioned from a very shy personto a very confident person.I tend to stay 20 to 30 pounds

overweight, she said. If I have agoal to do a competition or a show,that keeps me focused to loseweight and be careful of what Ieat.

Her pr ide and Joy

Boasting a 5,600-foot floatinghardwood fdance floor, two five-foot crystal chandeliers, a circularbar and a fully equipped kitchen,the elegant Queen City Ballroom is

a destination for people of all ages.Her youngest student is 6 and her

On July 26, the Broadway Lightsproduction raised $1,500. Theannual holiday gala, alsobenefitting Make-A-Wish isscheduled for Dec. 20.

Whats the best part of her job?Sitting at my desk and looking

out the (corner office) window andseeing all the progress that each

individual has made, Glandonsaid.

Want t o go?While testing the waters with a

complimentary lesson is the way to goaccording to glandon, you can also chout the scene on Friday nights. Starti8, a group class is offered to the public$5 at Queen City Ballroom (10403-I PRoad). Following the class is a dancesocial from 9 to 11. ($10) At 10 p.m.,

students and professional dancersdemonstratetheirmovestothecrowd

DanaGlandonandherpartnerattheNationalDanceSportChampionships


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Partners in business, danceand life, Dana Glandon andTony Prado are making a 12-

year dream come true with theopening of Queen City Ballroom insouth Charlotte.

Located at 10403-I Park Road,the 5,625-square-foot competitionballroom and studio will offer

lessons in tangos, salsas, foxtrots,

cha-chas and more. The studiotook 10 months to plan and build. Ithas 14-foot ceilings, mirroredwalls, crystal chandeliers and pro-fessional theater lighting byBarbizon Charlotte Inc.

The hardest part was finding alarge enough space that didnt havepoles running up and down themiddle of it, says Prado, a profes-sional theater dancer who willteach at the school. This repre-

sents our complete wish list.He declines to say how much it

cost to build and outfit the ball-room. Morgan Construction Co.Inc. renovated the studio, GailShook is the interior designer.

Glandon and Prado think now isthe perfect time to open such a stu-dio in Charlotte, since ballroomdancing or dancesport hopes toattain Olympic status in 2008.

The ballroom converts into a the-ater for shows and will be offeredfor weddings and other events. Itincludes a full kitchen, a bar andwrought-iron caf tables and

chairs.A small retail component has

been added in which dancers canpurchase special suede-bottomedshoes, CDs, false eyelashes, bodyglitter and accessories.

Queen City features more than 15instructors trained in over 20dances including the quick step,shag, Latin, swing, tap, jazz, balletand the traditional waltz. Gunar

Ejups, the ballrooms architect, also a part-time instructor.

Queen City will be open Mondthrough Friday from 10 a.m. to p.m. for a slate of classes and o

the weekends by appointmenEvery Friday night the ballroowill be open to the public who, fa 10-spot, can dance the nigaway.

This article appeared in the March 15, 20

issue of the The Business Journal of Charlottehas been reprinted by the The Business JournalCharlotte, and further reproduction by any othparty is strictly prohibited. Copyrighted 2002

The Business Journals of North Carolina, LL

120 West Morehead St., Suite 200, Charlotte, N

28202, (704) 973-1100.

Ballroom owners takingspin in south Charlotte

Retail &RestaurantsASHLEY M.GIBSON

Tony Prado, left, and Dana Glandon will offer lessons in tangos, salsas, foxtrots, cha-chas and mat Queen City Ballroom.

Photo/ASHLEY M. GIB


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T O D A Y S C H A R L O T T E W O M A N 67

Queen City Ballroom10403-I Park Rd

Charlotte, NC 28210

704/541-5440

www.queencityballroom.com

Dana Glandon

ana Glandon is an astute business owner

who turned a hobby into a successful

business, not once, but three times. As

owner of Queen City Ballroom, her third

ballroom dancing studio, Glandon has built a pros-

perous business, as well as a community for dancers,

students, friends and partners. Her passion for dance

and for people has proven to be a big part of what

makes Queen City Ballroom one of the top dance stu-

dios in the country.

Queen City Ballroom teaches the most popu-

lar dances in both American and International

styles, offering classes for recreation as well as for

competition. Many of the students and staff reg-

ularly compete in the most prestigious matches inthe nation, and the trophy case at the front of the

studio attests to numerous victories. Our dancers

have won many awards and its because of the

hard work done here, says Glandon.

The 5,600-square-foot studio is the largest in the

city and comes equipped with floating wood

floors, a state-of-the-art sound system, private class-

rooms and a theater with stage lighting. The full

kitchen allows Queen City Ballroom to function as

an event venue for parties and receptions, as well.

Queen City Ballroom is open Monday through

Friday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., and on weekends

by appointment. Every first lesson is free. Social

events, such as Friday night parties, allow for

dancers of all levels to meet and dance together.

The studio also offers couples private lessons so

they can, as newlyweds, confidently display first

dance techniques at their wedding reception!

Many students who come to Queen City

Ballroom looking for a sense of communitydevelop strong friendships and strong dance

skills along the way.

Weve had many people go through complete

transformations here, Glandon says. And that, she

adds, is the most rewarding part of her job. TCW

D

Focus On SuccessDance Like A Star

Queen City Ballroom Creates Community BY MEAGHAN CLARK

2 0 0 8 - 2 0 0 9 T C W R E S O U R C E G U I D E


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F E B R U A R Y 2 0 0 9 77

hen ballroom dancer

Dana Glandon opened

Queen City Ballroom

in 2002, she spared no

expense in creating Charlottes

first and most elegant grand ball-

room. Every aspect of the studio

communicates the glamour of

the ballroom dance lifestyle.

Crystal chandeliers adorn a 14-

foot, coffered ceiling. Floating

hardwood floors, a circular bar, a

digital sound system, theater

lighting, and Hollywood-style

dressing rooms all add to the

ambiance. The full kitchen allows

the Ballroom to serve as an event

venue for parties and receptions,

as well.

Glandon is a national ball-

room dance champion who

knows the right steps both onand off the dance floor. Through-

out her career, she has built

three successful ballrooms and

is recognized as a leader in

Charlottes ballroom dance

community. Her Queen City

Ballroom has won the Top Stu-

dio award at Charlottes pres-

tigious North Carolina Classic

Dance Competition every

year since 2001.

The key to Queen City

Ballrooms success, from

the beginning, has been

Glandons singular visionto provide the highest

quality and most afford-

able dance instruction. From

group classes to one-on-one pri-

vate training, instructors at the

studio create a dance experience

that is designed for dancers of all

levels to enjoy.

According to Glandon, it is the

combination of elegance, exer-

cise, and a friendly atmosphere

that makes ballroom dancing a

unique experience. Whats won-

derful about ballroom dancing is

that it brings so many people

together, she says. Its a great fit-

ness activity that you can start at

any age, from pre-teen to senior.

Glandon firmly believes in

giving back to the community

that supports her. For over 20

years weve produced two

Broadway-style shows a year to

benefit local charities, she says.

So, Im always dancing withthe stars! TCW

MeetOurAdvertisers

DanaGlandon, ow

nerofQueenCityBall-

room, isanaccomp

lisheddancer.

Queen City Ballroom Shines with EleganceBY MELINDA JOHNSTON

Having A Ball

W

ToLearnMore

Queen City Ballroom is located at 10403 Park Road,Suite I.Hours are Mon.through

Fri.,10 a.m.to 10 p.m.,Sat.10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sun. by appointment.For infor-

mation,call 704/541-5440,or visit www.queencityballroom.com.

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Tony had no intention of leaving

behind his career in broadcasting when

he first agreed to go dancing years ago.

A friend said, Were going dancing,

Tony says. I thought we were going toa club.

Instead, they went to a ballroom class,

and Tony was instantly hookedhe

started taking lessons once a week,

dancing everything from the Mambo to

the challenging and athletic theatre arts

style, which incorporates intricate

aerial moves, eventually teaching his

own classes and competing in dancing

competitions.

Dancing is the forgotten social

connection, Tony says. He made the

leap (so to speak) from broadcasting to

dancing full time, and now co-owns

Queen City Ballroom.

When I was in broadcasting, I felt like

I had my finger on the pulse of

society, he says. With dancing,

I feel like I have its heart.Whats your favorite thing about

reading skirt!? Its like dancing. Its

a way for men and women to

communicate and use their differences

to create something where the

partnership is greater than the

individuals.

Photo:DeborahTriplett

And wearing a skirt? Well, after 13years of dancing, Ive got the legs to pull

it off.

2008, Skirt Magizinehttp://charlotte.skirt.com/node/24845


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