07/22/2026
It’s time to pivot – and I don’t mean the sassy turn-and-twist step! The owner of MOVE dance studios (Rooms #24, #15, and #208 at the Smiley Building) is making some improvements to her spaces that will affect my Zumba classes.
The floor in our current studio, #24, will be replaced with black-vinyl Marley floors. These are being installed specifically for ballet classes; but they are not safe for Zumba. Some of you may recall dancing on Marley at Durango Dance back in the day, and briefly at Dance in the Rockies. The supportive sneakers we wear in Zumba get “stuck” on Marley, which can twist or tear joints.
The silver lining? We get to move to a HUGE new studio in September! The large studio #208, down the hall from us where Donna and I held the Zumba Noel Night event, is getting beautiful new wood floors, and there will eventually be new mirrors. It has lovely large windows, tall ceilings, a pretty stained glass window, great sound system, climate control, twinkle lights, tons of room to spread out, and best of all… a disco ball. The MOVE owner has allowed me to move my classes to this space on an ongoing basis, starting in September.
I truly love the Smiley Building… and space for dance classes is very limited in Durango. So, back to the pivoting! Here’s our transition plan, MOVE-ing forward, while the work is being done on both studios:
🗓️ July 18, 20, 22: Paige will be subbing in our normal Room #24 (on the second floor, above the cafe. Thank you for keeping the class grooving while I’m at a conference in New Orleans, Paige!
🗓️ July 25: Karla is back (assuming Bertha Tropical Storm doesn’t create delays), and teaching the last class in Room #24.
🗓️ July 27: No class
🗓️ July 30, Aug. 1, 6, 8, 13, 15, 20, 22, 27, and 29: I will teach downstairs in the interim studio, #15, which is on the first floor directly under #24, just down from the cafe.
🗓️ Aug. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31: No classes on Mondays in August. Room #15 is not available on these days.
🗓️ Beginning Sept. 1: We will return to our normal schedule in the large studio, #208 – Mondays and Thursdays 5:30-6:30 p.m., and Saturdays 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Donna and I are planning a little Zumba Grand Opening Wear-White Party to celebrate new beginnings – possibly on Saturday, Sept. 5. Watch for details!
Confused about all the MOVE-ing around? Don’t worry! I’ll add notes to my digital calendar, https://app.punchpass.com/org/371/classes, and I’ll also put a printed schedule on the door of Studio #24.
One more change amidst all of this transition: Because I will pay a higher hourly rental fee for the larger studio, I need to adjust the cost of my classes. Beginning in September, my class fees will change to the following:
💵Drop-in: $15 (up from $10)
10-Punch Pass: $100 (up from $90)
💵 A 10-Punch Pass never expires, but it is non-refundable and non-transferrable.
💵 Durango School District staff will still have a standing discount of 50% off passes throughout the year.
💵 You can pay by cash, debit/credit, or Venmo -Sluis in person before or after class; or you can choose the online payment option via my Square app (still $90; price change takes effect Sept. 1). https://checkout.square.site/merchant/BJ9TE7FVXZNQ7/checkout/7DPIEPWXG2W35IOH4ULCVQOA?src=sms
I’m grateful for your flexibility in dancing all around Durango with me for 16 years –moving around to different studios, parks, parking lots, and COVID craziness. Your continued presence in my class is an important anchor in my life. Seeing your sweaty, smiling faces every week brings me so much joy. Thank you for following me, sticking with me, and most of all staying committed to taking care of yourself. ❤️
