Dance styles in Frankfurt am Main: from ballroom to contemporary

When you think of dance in Frankfurt am Main, contemporary dance is a well-established starting point. The Dresden Frankfurt Dance Company is the successor to the Forsythe Company and continues to present works by William Forsythe. At the same time, under Ioannis Mandafounis, the choreography of each performance is created live through the dancers' improvisation. This is a specific local feature, but it does not mean that all dance classes in Frankfurt focus on contemporary dance.

There are also different ways to get involved: the company invites everyone to dance parties at the Bockenheimer Depot and takes part in Tanztag Rhein-Main. Tanztag 2026 is scheduled for October 31. Events like these can give you an impression of contemporary dance, but they are no substitute for a regular class. So if you are comparing options, distinguish between a performance, an open participatory event and ongoing classes. That way, you can make the most of this local feature without assuming it represents the entire range of classes on offer.

When choosing, it helps to focus less on the label and more on what you do in the room. In ballroom dance, you typically dance with a partner and practise a connection of posture, steps and spatial awareness. Salsa combines partner dancing with rhythmic music and changing figures. Discofox follows a clear basic pattern, while Hip Hop is shaped more by rhythmic accents, groove and individual expression. How it is taught varies from course to course.

Modern Dance and contemporary dance offer different focuses: instead of a fixed sequence for partners, the class may centre on technique, floor work, improvisation or choreographic material. The word “Contemporary” on a class schedule alone doesn’t tell you how physically demanding or open the class is. Check the details about level, music and learning goals. If you’re looking for a course for someone else, a flexible dance gift voucher with a free choice of style can leave the decision open. For yourself, a trial class is usually the most direct way to try out the movement style.

The most reliable way to find out whether Salsa, ballroom, Discofox, Hip Hop or Modern Dance classes are currently available in Frankfurt am Main is to check the current course listings. A style name alone tells you nothing about available spots, start dates or level. Use the course filter on the city page and read the description through to the details about prior experience, partners and class format.

If anything is unclear, ask the provider directly: Are you expected to have a regular dance partner? Do partners switch? Is the class more focused on technique or choreography? For contemporary dance, it’s also worth asking whether improvisation is part of the class. If you’re first looking for something to give as a gift, the guide to a trial dance class as a gift explains what to look for in a trial lesson. For your own search, what matters most is that the description matches your expectations.