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Zack's Dance Loft
Categories: Active Life Fitness & Instruction Education Specialty Schools Dance Schools Fitness & Instruction, Dance Schools [Edit]
37 E 28th StLoft 206
(between Madison Ave & S Park Ave)
New York, NY 10016
Neighborhood: Flatiron
(212) 464-7506
- Nearest Transit:
-
28 St (4, 6, 6X)
33 St (4, 6, 6X)
28 St (N, R)
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 9 am - 12:30 am
- Good for Kids:
- No
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9 reviews for Zack's Dance Loft
9 reviews in English
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Review from Monika F.
Brooklyn, NY
4/14/2011
I rented Zack's studio for my private club dance classes (over 10 hours) as it was more comfortable for my student since he lived around the corner from the studio.
Rental fee is kind of steep - $40/hour but understandable given the size of the studio.
Zack is very nice and very bald:) -
Review from Peter K.
2/4/2008 3 photos
On a hot summer Friday night (June 2007), S and I took a lesson here through a Young Korean American Network (http://ykan.org) social event. Although the entrance to the loft is hard to find, once you get inside, you see the simple, but quaint dance studio. I immediately felt nervous, since I was born with two left feet. I also felt like the night was going to be an awkward junior high school dance. Great.
S and I quickly attacked the complimentary refreshments including insalata caprese, pasta, fresh bread and red wine. Like scavengers we got our game faces on and enjoyed a lovely buzz.
There were other Korean-American professionals and a few non-Koreans excited to learn how to salsa dance. At a first glance, Zack reminds me of the Seinfeldian Ribbon Bullies ("Who refuses to wear the ribbbbbooon?"). However he wanted to get straight to what he knows best: showing off. Sorry, I meant dancing.
With about 20+ people present, he had everyone form two lines facing each other. He provided step by step group instruction, for the guys (the lead) and the girls. Although there were more women then men, some took on the lead part. He can dance; he made it seem so easy, without breaking a sweat. Think of it as a round robin, speed dating/dancing event; I probably danced with S for 3 minutes and spent the rest of the time with all of the other ladies. Within the hour of live practice, Zack stopped the class multiple times to challenge us with more "moves."
I'm telling you, it was working. I looked like a good salsa poser. I could have went to LQ or Copacabana with my new moves and "brought it on".
Overall the experience was great for beginners. Those who have done it before might as well just dance with Zack or his lovely assistant. I will say that we got our money and time's worth, experiencing a fun night of dancing and socializing. Thank you, Zack. We would do it again.
I leave you with a moment of Zen:
nos encanta bailar salsa!
| | | | Me thinks Pedro
don't know Salsa;
_O_/ ~ \_O_/ ~ _O_ ~ \_O_ need more lessons.
/ } } () () / ( ) \ [ ] \ |
~ \ \ / \ ~ / \ ~ \ \ ~
/ / \ \ \ \ / / 0 __
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IFHTP 1Listed in: Pedro Yelp Map, Ascii art - Why read when you…, Work Out
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Review from Lainie C.
New York, NY
11/7/2007
Apparently, I now have to defend myself from Zack's pathetic attempt to get back at me for the below review. Nice. I'm not going to waste any more of my valuable time on this guy beyond saying that he's completely lying. I did not once ask for help, nor did I need more help than everyone else in the class, nor did I get any help. You ask anyone who knows me - I've got rhythm. And I'm entitled to my opinion. That's the whole basis for Yelp. Grow up dude!
So I went to a "Salsa Speed Dancing Lesson" last night at Zack's Dance Loft. It was supposed to consist of 30 minutes of mingling with complimentary food and drink, followed by an hour salsa lesson where partners would rotate every 10 minutes or something like that. All this, for $20. The food was sliced tomato, basil and bocconcini with bread, and while standing behind a fully stocked bar (including giant bottles of grey goose), Zack poured us small glasses of really cheap, very crappy wine.
Okay, the dance studio itself is rather nice- a good space with soft lighting and a bar in the corner, couches and chairs to lounge in as well. If it weren't for the fact that Zack himself gave me a bad vibe from the get-go, I might consider coming back for real dance lessons. But the first impression I got of him was smarmy. He immediately started hitting on this one woman I happened to walk in with and it completely turned me off. I decided to take a lesson because every time I go to a Salsa club I get some smarmy guy grinding up against me professing to be "teaching" me to salsa. One does not need those same characteristics in a "professional" salsa instructor. And it's certainly not conducive to learning to salsa if you don't like your instructor!
The second problem with the evening was that there were about 10 women and 4 men. That, and we were switching partners every two minutes- like speed dating while dancing- which did not help with the learning process either. And half of the women were then compelled to learn how to lead rather than follow, which isn't going to do any of us any good when we're trying to actually dance in public with actual men! The whole thing just kind of left me with this smarmy cheezy feeling. I really can't describe it any other way...
I must say that his assistant for the evening was very nice and she actually gave me better instruction than Zack did. Apparently they offer belly-dancing lessons in a similar environment on Wednesday evenings and there is a schedule on the website, but we were never told what the website was. And now I don't really feel like doing a google search for it.Comment from zack h. of Zack's Dance Loft 7/15/2010
Our events are rated a 3.7 stars out of 4 stars, and this… More » -
Review from Damaris P.
New York, NY
7/15/2008
Can you shimmy? Do you sometimes just want to jiggle and shake. Then I suggest you head over to Zack's Dance Loft.
I organized a ladies night at Zack's Dance Loft through Goldstar. We arrived too early and Zack had not arrived yet. Some of the ladies were worried that the bellydancing class was a scam since we bought our tickets online. I was relieved when Zack came just because some of my co-workers really needed to just chill. Thank God for the wine, yummy hummus and hot pitas. Oh yeah...and the bellydance instructor was great and everyone had such a good time. It turns out that bellydancing isn't as easy as it looks. I had a hard time isolating movement in my waist without moving my hips.
I also recommended Zack for salsa lessons to another friend and she has been very happy with her progress. -
Review from Keri M.
New York, NY
9/12/2008
Zack is great! The space is gorgeous - tall ceilings, huge mirrors lining an entire wall, very relaxed vibe...and I swear those are skinny mirrors :)
I've gone with a girlfriend for a group Salsa class and we had a blast - they offer nibbles and drinks beforehand to allow people to mingle and loosen up.
I then went back for private couple lessons and again I was impressed.
I would highly recommend this place for solo, couple or group events - whether it's salsa, mambo, fox trot or swing, they have it all -
Review from Payam Z.
3/17/2009
Keep in mind the following for this review:
1)I was there for a party and not a class (although Zack was instructing people who were interested at times!)
2)My night involved a bit more drinking than dancing!
Zack's dance studio is hidden away on the second floor of a Park Ave. building, and this somehow adds to the ambiance.
Zack himself was really cool and he was very generous behind the bar! When he was not pouring drinks, he was busy getting people to dance and showing off his skills.
I can't recommend about the classes, other than that Zack is clearly a very good dancer. I can tell you that this is an awesome venue for a private party, with one of the coolest hosts I have ever met...check it out! -
Review from Ryan N.
New York, NY
6/16/2010
My wife and I signed up for a 5 lesson package with Zack. Our goal was to be able to put together a nice dance for our wedding. My first impression of the place was OK. They do start out by serving you a few glasses of wine which is much appreciated and good for taking the edge off. Then we played the song for him "Try a little tenderness" and he decided that the roomba would work best. There were several issues that came up during our lessons. First, Zack has a somewhat harsh style of teaching. He is not very encouraging and often stops you over and over again which makes it difficult to establish any kind of rhythm. Neither myself nor my wife ever felt particularly comfortable in the studio. The other problem I have in general is I think Zack has a limited knowledge of dance which is heavily latin influenced. This means that if you want to learn the roomba or other latin dances I think he would be great but if you want to take a wedding class and want what works best with the song and not just what latin dance works best with the song, then this might not be the place for you.
The only reason I make this point is I ended up taking lessons from someone else who had a wide background of dance experience and she put together an amazing routine in 2 hours from start to finish. In 3 lessons with Zack I barely got through half the song and we had no idea what the plan was from start to finish.
I had several unanswered emails for scheduling lessons. He basically ignored our requests for scheduling a lesson in the week before our wedding which left us scrambling for someone else. In the end though we were glad we went with someone else.
SUMMARY: Zack is a nice guy who will teach you latin dance styles competently. I can't comment on his other events...they seem to be great. But I do not recommend him as a wedding instructor unless you are already planning on having a latin themed dance. I have two lessons that I payed for but never took. Don't plan to either.Comment from zack h. of Zack's Dance Loft 12/27/2011
I respect and accept Ryan 2 stars rating, however I do not… More » -
Review from Michele J.
Chicago, IL
8/7/2009
This was an outstanding location for dance instruction and a great afternoon. We came to the class on a girl's weekend in New York with few expectations but after an hour's lesson, we wish it didn't need to end. It was an EXCELLENT afternoon. Zack was friendly, engaging and a perfect instructor. He is patient without being patronizing and provides clear instruction. No matter how many times we might have bungled it, Zack patiently reviewed the steps without frustration. We will be back for another class the next time we are in New York. I hope I can find this type of instructor and class in Chicago! Thanks Zack!
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Review from Allison G.
Manhattan, NY
9/9/2009
I love love LOVE Zack's Dance Loft. It is such a great place to go when you are in the mood for something out of the ordinary. I never commit to memberships because I am a bit ADD when it comes to hobbies, so I love the fact that you can pay per class rather than signing up for a period of time. I have been to Belly Dancing and Swing Dancing classes here. Both were preceded by a wine and cheese buffet and there is always a great crowd - very open and friendly so you end up talking to and dancing with lots of different people. Last time I went with a girlfriend and we hardly talked to each other the whole night because we were too busy twirling around and schmoozing with everyone else. Perfect spot for a girls' night out or if you are looking to meet someone (bars just don't bring out the cream of the crop). The classes are moderately priced, plus you end up getting a little tipsy - extra bang for your buck! Hint: You can buy discount tickets at online or just pay when you get there (as long as there is space). I can't wait to go back for salsa to make new friends and dance with Zack again - he is the BEST!! Love this place :)
