These Fellas Can Really Dance

With the popularity of dancing at an all-time high there are some people who still hold on to old stereotypes of dancing as something that isn’t manly. , which opened April 2, is hoping to dispel those myths.

Their two male instructors, Jesse Stanley and Chris Wright-Martell, each combine their passion of dancing with other accomplishments that prove that real men do dance.

Stanley, 32, of Plainville, is a Sgt. in the CT Army National Guard. He is a member of the 141st Medical Company based out of Middletown. He participated and won the Army Best Warrior Competition held in Niantic March 22-25. The competition consisted of several events to test his warrior skills like the Army PT test, weapon shooting, a 10k road march and hands on warrior tasks.

Stanley, who represented the CT Army National Guard in the regional competition held in New York in May, has been dancing for 10 years and specializes in Lindy Hop.

Wright-Martell, 32, of Middletown, is an expert and author in martial arts and self-defense. He founded and led the Modern Self-Defense Center in Middletown since 2002, teaching everything from women’s self-defense to training up-and-coming cage fighters. 

After a childhood of both martial arts and dance, Wright-Martell holds black belts in Kenpo Karate, Filipino Martial Arts, and both Japanese and Brazilian Jiu-jitsu styles, as well as teaching credentials in several others. Last year, he saw the publication of his first book: “Knack Self-Defense for Women:  Strategies, Moves, & Everyday Tactics to Gain Confidence & Stay Safe.” 

He began his ballroom dance career as a collegiate competitor and specializes in Latin Dance. 

Fred Astaire of Middletown is open weekdays, 12:30-9 p.m. and offers group classes and private lessons in smooth, rhythm and Latin dances for all ages. No partner is necessary. For information, see www.FredAstaireMiddletown.com.