Producing the Festival of Perth championships and other international dancing events at the Entertainment Centre. Gilkisons has helped lift the old-fashioned stigma of social dancing by playing newer music, having a modern lighting and sound system, a fully licensed bar and air conditioning throughout the premises.
Gilkisons is still the only venue in the city in which Latin and Ballroom social dancing is taught. If you wish to learn and enjoy dancing, look no further, over 2 million clients since 1931 says it all. The staff employed are some of the most talented and highly qualified dance teachers in Australia.
Gilkisons is still the only venue in the city in which Latin and Ballroom social dancing is taught. If you wish to learn and enjoy dancing, look no further, over 2 million clients since 1931 says it all. The staff employed are some of the most talented and highly qualified dance teachers in Australia.
Services
Classes are in 5-7 week blocks. They range from 55 minutes to 90 minutes in duration dependent on the level and are by enrolment only. Our courses are a mixture of singles and couples so there is no need to bring a partner. Generally, 70% of our clients come on their own. The jitterbug still raged in the USA made even more popular by the music of Glen Miller and the like of the 40s era.
Our dance classes are held in 5 - 7 week blocks, on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday evenings at our studio in Perth. Each class runs for approximately 60 - 90 minutes depending on the level being instructed. Please note, all of our classes are by enrolment only. Select the class you would like to attend below, and complete your enrolment.
We offer private lessons for individuals, couples, and groups here in a variety of dance styles with trained professionals. No matter what your level is, we'll find out what your strengths and weaknesses are to better assess how we can help you improve. Better development and focus on technique, either in leading or following, as well as shines.
At Gilkisons Dance Studio we have years of experience choreographing bridal dances, and tailoring your first dance as a couple to that special song. Whether it be a simple dance routine, a surprise floorshow, traditional waltz, or a more contemporary rumba, we believe that looking natural and comfortable and feeling great is just as important as learning the steps.
Gilkisons has been Perth's leading social studio for over 70 years. Providing all dancers with a studio offering a huge hard wood dance floor, largest and most up to date sound and lighting equipment to create a lively and fun environment for all. Keeping with times and understanding everyone has different tastes, Gilkisons caters to all by playing a range of music from the roaring twenties to the latest top 20 hits.
Reviews (17)
Ben Boyd
Nov 13, 2021
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Basil Hendroff
Oct 27, 2021
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Jackson McDade
Oct 19, 2021
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Bianca Briggs
Oct 14, 2021
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Having not been here for about 30 years, I was looking forward to getting my boogie back on on a Friday night
Dancers were new and great since last time and the vibe was great, however it seems they have not upgraded the stereo system from the 80s.
The music was hard to hear and pick up the beat and the announcements from the DJ came across like I had 90 year old hearing. And I'm not 90!
Every one was friendly and the night was still good but would have had a much better time with a crisp clear sound.
Dancers were new and great since last time and the vibe was great, however it seems they have not upgraded the stereo system from the 80s.
The music was hard to hear and pick up the beat and the announcements from the DJ came across like I had 90 year old hearing. And I'm not 90!
Every one was friendly and the night was still good but would have had a much better time with a crisp clear sound.
Sarah Byrne
Jul 17, 2021
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Grainne & Stuart Harris
May 22, 2021
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Ryan helped us organise our special event at Gilkisons and it was just brilliant from start to finish. It worked out exactly as we had planned and was so much fun. To learn to dance in a great environment with a equally patient & entertaining instructor, have fun and be at a great venue just ticks all the boxes. Will certainly be returning time and time again. Recommend to all. Thanks again!!! :)
Maria Scarfone
Apr 15, 2021
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The venue is wonderful. The staff are friendly and very helpful. Ryan was very patient and thorough with his teaching and demonstration. He was easy to understand and made our classes stress free. Such a great vibe and as difficult some of the steps were he always got a laugh out of us! We definitely have become better dancers and are ready to tackle the Intermediate classes. Thanks for the fun lessons. Looking forward to our next sessions!
Karen Becker
Nov 26, 2020
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Paula Moseley
Jun 20, 2020
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Jade Morris
Jun 17, 2020
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The doorway entrance is on Murry street not Erwin as maps would have you believe. It would be nice if the owner could update maps but apart from that I had a wanderfull night. Beautiful big studio to dance great DJ and music. Very friendly staff. Very nice people. 100% would recommend to everybody from experts and novices like me!
Nicole Munns
Feb 29, 2020
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With 4 months before our wedding, we started dance lessons with Ryan. Ryan was so much fun, we would come into the lessons grumpy and leave laughing and upbeat. He was great at breaking down the steps and if… we weren’t getting a move, he’d break it down in a different approach. He would always ask us if we had any questions and really took the time to get our moves looking good. I’m sure it was particularly frustrating when we hadn’t practiced but Ryan still managed to get 2 beginners learning a fast and fun routine! We hadn’t told any of our guests that we
Nicole Mobilia
Jul 07, 2019
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We had lessons with Ryan at Gilkisons Dance Studio to learn the jive for our wedding, and he did such an awesome job teaching us and choreographing the perfect routine for our special day. It took a lot of convincing to get my husband to agree firstly to do the lessons and secondly to do a jive (of all dances!), but Ryan made it so much fun for us.… There were lots of laughs along the way! He brought out the best in both our dance abilities. Learning to dance together was the most amazing experience for us and was an experience we’ll cherish forever. We’ll definitely be back
Sarah Hangchi
May 03, 2019
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Natalie Drazil
Nov 22, 2018
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David Thomas
Oct 13, 2018
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I went dancing on a friday night and you need to improve the music most of all. Despite looking like an underground nightclub, another issue by itself, the music is terrible. Stop playing nightclub boom boom music and actualy play dancing music that makes us want to get up and dance. Old school favourites and some modern music that does not… necessarily need to be current top 20.
Some of the music being played is only barely suitable for the dances they were being used for and there was no exciting music being played that made you want to get up and dance.
The number of people dancing were
Some of the music being played is only barely suitable for the dances they were being used for and there was no exciting music being played that made you want to get up and dance.
The number of people dancing were
Bruno Da Prato
Jul 06, 2018
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Rosemarie Dharani
Jun 10, 2018
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