Hello,

Can anyone tell me if Fred Astaire has a minimum age requirement to be be allowed into parties? If so, does that requirement extend to all of the Franchaised Freds?

Normally 18--- younger if with an adult

Our studio has a 15 year old that attends and has a blast. I would talk to the owners and ask about attending.

Thank You for responding. I asked because a friend of mine who had been attending the parties for almost a year (she is 20) and taking only group lessons (but not private lessons)was recently told that she was no longer welcome to attend because she is not 21. She was told that it is a new ruling by the franchaise....not the studio owner. She is very disappointed because she enjoyed the parties and groups very much, but just can't afford to take private lessons right now. Just wondering.

What right does the studio even have to ask her age if she is an adult?

It's not like they are serving alcohol, are they? (If they were in a location where 21 were the legal age, then that would be legitimate)

I think that the remark about her age was just an excuse to push her out.

If the franchise is using the parties as a reward for taking private lessons then the owners don't want the students to see that they can have the parties without private lessons.

The young woman in question may have been too vocal about the fact that she was taking only classes to suit the franchise owners.

Just one more reason to avoid the franchises.

jj

Hi LisaMarie,

I was surprised to read this because our local Fred Astaire studio has several young people who attend the dance parties. I was not aware of any change in the age requirement, and certainly alcohol is not a factor because they don't serve any. I'll ask the owner and see what I can find out.

What right ?.... the " right " that it is their establishment, and may have set pre conditions for attendance .( as I currently do with mine )

Its also important to note, that chainschools are independantly owned, and their policies may differ in such matters from school to school.

I have managed worked and coached in numerous "chains" in both A/m and F/A.
In most cases, if accompanied by an adult ,teens were always admitted

The practice parties where teens are welcome do not have alcohol. Sometimes they have a champagne reception and specifically list that you must be 21.

This whole thing seems so odd to me. There has to be something being left unsaid, or some underlying reason this woman was shown the door. At our private studio, the best practice parties are clearly those in which all ages are allowed. They last maybe three hours at the most, and the adults who want to imbibe do so afterward at the neighborhood tavern. But the interaction with the young people, being encouraged to dance and experience that fun, is the best part of the deal.