All those years watching Footloose, Flashdance and Fame shouldn’t go to waste. But before you sign-up for So You Think You Can Dance, give your blue suede shoes a dry run at Dance Marathon.

Part performance and part participation, the event concocted by an East Coast theatre collective tips it fedora to the 1930s by transforming The Roundhouse Community Centre into a Great Depression-era dance hall. A live band plays, while audience members in numbered pinnies compete to be the last dancers standing.

Unfortunately, you won’t get a scream from Mary Murphy when you’ve won, but it’s probably better that way.

Dance Marathon, February 9-13, 2010 at the Roundhouse Community Centre, 181 Roundhouse Mews, Vancouver, tickets $30 at www.brownpapertickets.com

We found a sharply dressed visual artist/rock star—and we’re willing to share him.

A Vancouver boy now living in Berlin, Jeremy Shaw is positively prolific. In the last month alone, he’s debuted a public art project for the Cultural Olympiad, released an album under his pseudonym Circlesquare, and made a music video for his single “Dancers.” 

Shot in Vancouver, the slick, stylized video features dancers—two of whom are Miles Faber and Vincent Noiseux from So You Think You Can Dance Canada. 

The more men like him in our city, the merrier.

For more info on Circlesquare visit www.songsaboutdancinganddrugs.com

There’s nothing sexy about watching Seinfeld reruns while Stairmastering, so we made sweating it more sassy and gave Burlesque a go.

The Burlesque Beauties dance class at the Drive Dance Centre—don’t worry, it’s classy and tassel-free—had us strutting, shimmying and shaping up. And unlike in the workplace, here, the more attitude you dish out, the better.

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, the centre is offering a four-week workshop to learn a cheeky routine for a lark or a lover, set to Madonna’s “Hanky Panky.”

Drop-in class Tuesdays 7-8 p.m. ($13) and Be My Valentine workshop January 21 – February 11, 6:15-7:15 p.m. ($70), Drive Dance Centre, 1839 Commercial Dr., Vancouver, 604-762-4232, www.drivedancecentre.com

So you think you can dance?

Cut some shapes on the floor of the Drive Dance Centre , a new drop-in facility opening September 10. Offering up to pre-professional instruction, the faculty has an impressive roster of credits , and drop-ins are just $13/hour.

Do the hustle!

Psst: Learn to shake your booty like Rhianna (and good luck trying to get Umbrella ‘ella ‘ella out of your head!). Register for Friday’s 90-minute workshop ($30) with Bryan Tanaka, who’s currently on tour with the R&B sensation.

Drive Dance Centre, 1839 Commercial Dr. (between second and third Ave.), Vancouver, 604-762-4232, www.drivedancecentre.com