Burju Blog

Training Progressions in Ankle Boots for Heels Dance
Training Progressions in Ankle Boots Training in ankle boots is a smart, intentional way to build strength, control, and confidence in heels dance. The structure of an ankle boot creates... Read more...
Closed Toe vs Open Toe Salsa Shoes
Closed Toe vs Open Toe Salsa Shoes: Pros and Cons One of the most common questions dancers ask is whether closed-toe or open-toe shoes are better for salsa. Both styles... Read more...
Unsung Heroism of Claudette Colvin
Claudette Colvin and the Genesis of the Montgomery Bus Boycott Written by Tamara Rose When history books recount the story of the Montgomery Bus Boycott, the narrative is often streamlined... Read more...
Lace Up Ankle Boots vs Pumps for Choreography
Lace Up Ankle Boots vs Pumps for Choreography Choosing between boots and pumps can completely change how choreography feels in your body. Both styles are used in heels dance, but... Read more...
What Heel Height Is Best for Salsa Dancing?
What Heel Height Is Best for Salsa Dancing? Heel height is one of the most debated topics in salsa dancing, especially as dancers transition from classes to social floors. While... Read more...
Black History Month - Celebrating 100 years
Black History Month and the Revelation of the American Story Written by Tamara Rose The year 2026 marks a profound milestone in the American cultural landscape: the centennial of the... Read more...
How to Care for Suede Heels (Cleaning & Longevity Tips)
How to Care for Suede Heels Proper care is essential for extending the life of your dance shoes, especially when working with suede and vegan suede. With the right habits,... Read more...
Do Dance Boots Help With Ankle Stability?
Do Dance Boots Help With Ankle Stability? Ankle stability is one of the biggest challenges heels dancers face. From pivots and transitions to floorwork and directional changes, the ankle absorbs... Read more...
Flared Heel vs Stiletto for Salsa Dancing
Flared Heel vs Stiletto: Which Is Better for Salsa Dancing? Heel shape plays a bigger role in salsa dancing than most people realize. While both flared heels and stilettos are... Read more...
How Suede Improves Balance & Control in Heels Dance
How Suede Improves Balance and Control in Heels Dance Balance in heels dance comes from a combination of strength, alignment, and sensory feedback. Footwear plays a surprisingly large role in... Read more...
Lace-Up vs Ankle Strap Heels for Dance
Lace-Up Heels vs Ankle Strap Heels for Dance Choosing between lace-up heels and ankle strap heels can completely change how you feel while dancing. Both styles are popular in heels... Read more...
How Should Salsa Dance Shoes Fit?
How Should Salsa Dance Shoes Fit? A Dancer’s Guide Fit is one of the most misunderstood aspects of dance footwear. Many dancers assume salsa shoes should feel like regular heels,... Read more...
Vegan Suede vs Real Suede: Which Is Better for Dance Shoes?
Vegan Suede vs Real Suede for Dance Shoes Dancers today are more conscious than ever about what their shoes are made of. One of the most common questions is whether... Read more...
What Heel Height Is Best for Dancing in Heels?
What Heel Height Is Best for Dancing in Heels? Heel height is one of the first and most important decisions a heels dancer makes. Too low, and movement can feel... Read more...
Best Salsa Dancing Shoes for Beginners
Best Salsa Dancing Shoes for Beginners: What to Look For Starting salsa dancing is exciting, intimidating, and addictive all at once. Between learning timing, partner connection, and floor awareness, beginners... Read more...
Are Dance Pumps Good for Heels Dance? What Dancers Should Know.
Are Dance Pumps Good for Heels Dance? Dance pumps are often seen as elegant, minimal, and performance-ready, but many heels dancers wonder if they provide enough support for training and... Read more...
The Master Guide to Social Latin Dance and Salsa Dancing Shoes
Introduction: The Magic of the Social Floor There is a distinct electricity that lives on a Latin social dance floor. Music wraps around the room, strangers become partners in seconds,... Read more...
Uncovering the Anti-Capitalist Radical that was Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Written by Tamara Rose for Burju Shoes The Problem with the Sanitized King Every January, the United States engages in a collective ritual of remembrance for Dr. Martin Luther King... Read more...
How to Break In Dance Boots for Heels Class Safely
How to Break In Your New Dance Boots For Heels Class Safely Breaking in a new pair of dance boots is an important part of your heels journey. While supportive... Read more...
The Life and Legacy of Carmen de Lavallade
Written by Tamara Rose for Burju Shoes Few figures in the history of American dance have navigated the intersection of ballet, modern dance, theater, and film with the grace and... Read more...
Why Dancers Choose Suede Heels for Performance & Comfort
Why Dancers Choose Suede for Heels Dance Shoes Suede has been a staple in dance footwear for decades, and for good reason. Its unique texture and flexibility make it especially... Read more...
Beginner Guide to Dancing Heels | Stability & Support
A Beginner’s Guide to Dancing Heels Starting heels dance can feel equal parts exciting and intimidating. Learning to balance, walk, and move with intention while elevated is a new experience... Read more...
Ankle Boots vs Pumps: Which Is Better for Dancers?
Ankle Boots vs Pumps: Which Style Is Right for You? Choosing between ankle boots and pumps is one of the most common questions dancers ask, especially when leveling up technique... Read more...
Heels Dance Boots: Stability, Support, and Control
Heels Dance Boots: The Ultimate Guide for Dancers Heels dance boots are more than a style choice. They are a technical tool designed to help dancers move with confidence, control,... Read more...
Suede Dance Shoes for Heels | Boots & Pumps
Why Suede Dance Shoes Are the Gold Standard for Heels Dancers If heels dance shoes could talk, suede would be the quiet expert in the room. It doesn’t shout for... Read more...
Jingle Bells and the Legacy of Minstrelsy
To millions of listeners, "Jingle Bells" is the quintessential anthem of innocent winter wonder, a song evoking pristine snow, sleigh rides, and holiday cheer. However, the song's origins are far... Read more...
Mother Fletcher and the Pursuit of Justice
On November 24, 2025 the world lost a hero and a giant. Viola Ford Fletcher, affectionately known as "Mother Fletcher" was the oldest known living survivor of the 1921 Tulsa... Read more...
November National Day of Mourning
Honoring Native People This November, as we honor Native People, let us not forget to call out white settler colonialism and its propaganda campaign that is the American holiday of... Read more...
Afro-Latinos, intersectionality, and the Civil Rights Movement
Afro-Latinos, intersectionality, and the Civil Rights Movement When we talk about the Civil Rights Movement, we don’t often discuss how there have been Afro-Latinos who have fought at a marginalized... Read more...
Jane Goodall and the importance of her life's work.
Jane Goodall primatologist, ethologist, activist, conservationist 1934-2025 “When I’m gone I want to make absolutely sure that everything I’ve worked for all my life will be able to carry on,... Read more...
Rest in power Assata Shakur
Rest well and thank you, Assata Shakur. Activist, author, and revolutionary, Assata Shakur has died at the age of 78 on Thursday, September 25, 2025. She lived a life dedicated... Read more...
National Hispanic American Heritage Month and what we must continue to talk about.
  National Hispanic American Heritage Month is a time to celebrate the rich culture, history, and contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans. This month-long celebration, which runs from September 15th... Read more...
Who Has Great Jeans? - The Denim Wars
It’s often said that fashion doesn’t just dress us, it also speaks. It tells a tale of existing political and cultural climates.  In the case of denim, which is the... Read more...
How to Choose the Perfect Pair of High Heels for Heels Dancing
How to Choose The Perfect Dance Heels By someone who lives in stilettos, sweats glitter, and designs professional dance heels. For the babes that want all the juicy details. Picking... Read more...
✅ Dance Heels for Beginner Heels Dancers: Quick Dos & Don’ts Checklist
For Beginner Heels Dancers Who Wanna Slay, Not Suffer 👠 You are excited to try out heels dancing and have no idea what type of shoes to wear to class.... Read more...
Disability Pride Month
Every Body Belongs On The Dance Floor July marks Disability Pride Month, commemorating the 1990 signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act. It's a moment to uplift a community too... Read more...
How to Pick the Perfect Dance Heels for Beginners
A Sassy Guide for Your Fierce Feet 💃👠 POV—there’s nothing quite like that first moment you step onto the dance floor in a phenomenal pair of heels. Whether you're learning... Read more...
Juneteenth: A Celebration of Liberation
What is Juneteenth? June 19th marks the end of slavery in the United States (or does it?). While it is a celebration of Black liberation, resilience and joy, we must... Read more...
Pride: Be Loud, Be Proud, Be You
Be too much and be unmissable.   Born from rebellion. Pride Month started with the Stonewall Riots in 1969 - a rebellion led by queer and trans people in New... Read more...
How To Spook Up Your Halloween Look
Are you last minute with your Halloween costume? Do you want a more sustainable way to do Halloween instead buying an expensive costume that you will only wear one time?... Read more...
Let's Talk About Mental Health
October 10th 2024 was World Mental health Day. Let's pause and talk about something that truly matters - our mental well-being. Life moves fast, and we often forget to check... Read more...
The Secret To Better Dancing? Strong Feet!
When we think about improving our dancing, we usually focus on posture and flexibility.  But what about your feet? Strong feet are essential for balance, control, and avoiding injury. It's... Read more...
Upcycle your old shoes!
Got some old shoes that are a little too worn to sell or donate? Don't throw them away just yet! With a little creativity, you can keep your shoes out... Read more...
How Inner Peace Can Lead to Global Peace: The Ripple Effect
In a world filled with noise, conflict, and chaos, the idea of global peace may seem like a distant dream. Yet, many great thinkers and spiritual leaders have long suggested... Read more...
Why Slow Fashion is Good for You the Consumer...
By understanding and embracing the benefits of slow fashion, you can make informed, responsible choices that align with your values and contribute to a better world. Happy shopping! Read more...
Why Savvy Shoppers Are Taking Advantage of Pre-Ordering
Pre-ordering shoes is more than just a purchasing method; it’s a strategy that offers numerous benefits. From early access and guaranteed availability to cost savings and customization options, pre-ordering enhances... Read more...
Why High Heels Can Be the Most Comfortable Shoes Ever
Learn the secret behind high heeled shoes actually being comfortable! Read more...
Best Foot Forward - Salsa, Shoes and Satisfaction with Burju Perez
Why dance shoes are so boring and why gorgeous fashion shoes shoes kill your feet, is exactly what owner/designer Burju Perez questioned as a professional Salsa/Mambo dancer for over 15... Read more...
Burju Celebrates Black History Month - 2024
Burju Shoes is honored to be celebrating Black History Month with you all again! We are so excited to share a bit about how we have been uplifting Black voices,... Read more...
5 Ways To Get Used To Heels Fast
Let’s face it. There is nothing quite as sexy as a good pair of heels. But if you’re a beginner in heels, they can feel quite intimidating. But take it... Read more...