Dancers trying East Coast swing for the first time find that it’s easier than it looks.

A little sense of humor goes a long way, especially when one is learning to dance.

Dance instructor Francisco Martinez uses a lot of it in his dance classes at his school, The Dance Family Studio in Pasadena, and at the Glendale YWCA where he teaches swing, salsa and ballroom on Monday and Wednesday nights.

He and his wife and dance partner, Stacey Martinez, are giving free instruction during the Downtown Burbank’s Swingin’ Sounds from Downtown outdoor concerts each Thursday night in July and August on the AMC Walkway in Burbank.

They are teaching East Coast swing classes in July followed by salsa classes in August.

For the first week of class, Francisco Martinez was leading a group of about 40 people on the portable dance floor.

“Back step, one, two, back step, one, two,” he called out. “If you’re not getting it, smile bigger.”

Francisco Martinez goes over the basic steps first, and later in the hour, starts students on some easy turns.

“How many of you like omelets?” he said. “I don’t know about you, but I need plenty of eggs in my omelets. So, when you are dancing, you have to do lots of basics and then sprinkle in the ingredients. A turn is an ingredient.”

It was Burbank resident Janet Gallegos’ first time learning East Coast swing.

“It’s just been really fun,” the 52-year-old said. “They are great teachers. I came with a friend from work but she got shy and didn’t take the class. I’m definitely coming back next week. It’s so much fun.”

It was also the first East Coast swing class for Christian Morales, 27, a Burbank native.

Morales also plans to return for another lesson Thursday.

“It was easy and fun to learn,” he said. “Francisco was great. He was funny. His sense of humor makes you comfortable so when you make a mistake, you laugh at yourself.”

The East Coast swing, made up of three steps, is one of the easier dances to learn, Francisco Martinez said.

“It’s the most versatile type of dancing,” he said. “It’s a step you can do to fast or slow music. It has a simple basic step and people seem to like it.”

East Coast swing was popular in the 1950s, Francisco Martinez said. People got away from dancing together in the 1960s and ‘70s, but learning to couple dance is bringing people back together, he said.

“Today with computers, people are less connected,” he said. “We need touch. Studies have shown that kittens and puppies that are touched a lot are happier. This is just a way to do it with music.”

People also can stay in physical shape through dancing and meet new people, he said.

“It’s a good social outing,” he said. “You spend time dancing and talking to new people. My wife and I dance with other people and widen our circle of friends. There is also a chivalry and elegance to it that as a society, we’ve lost.” The Thursday night dance classes begin at 6 p.m. and are followed by a concert with different bands every week. The program is presented by the Downtown Burbank Partnership Inc., manager Gail Stewart said.

“I’m thrilled with the turnout this first week,” she said. “We were a little worried because of so many people going away for the Fourth of July holiday. I only expect a bigger and bigger crowd as the season progresses.”

Burbank City Manager Mary Alvord was listening to the live music by Michael Andrew and Swingerhead. “We were pleasantly surprised for having such a large turnout this first week,” she said. “It goes to show you how successful the series has become and how popular Downtown Burbank has become as a destination point.” blr-lessons.1.12-BPhotoInfo5J1SRLF320060712j286c8ncPhotos by TAMMY ABBOTT The Leader

(LA)Students gather around dance instructor Francisco Martinez and his dance partner, Mireya Aguilar, Thursday during the Downtown Burbank concert series.blr-lessons.2.12-BPhotoInfo5J1SRLH420060712j286b2ncPhotos by TAMMY ABBOTT The Leader

(LA)Francisco Martinez and Mireya Aguilar demonstrate the East Coast swing dance style.