“We went to Detroit for instruction,” said Foster. “Then, we started teaching at a wellness center in Dayton, and, four years ago, we contracted with the Northwest Recreation Center.
“We teach the Detroit style, a mixture of fox trot, Graystone and cha-cha. It’s called Graystone after the club where it originated, social dancing cheek-to-cheek.”
Kettering resident Tasha Peters, a 1993 graduate of Meadowdale High School, was introduced to the Dayton Urban Ballroom Group by her mother.
“She’d been going to classes, and I went with her to see a demonstration at an Urban Nights event,” said Peters. “Once I saw them perform I was hooked and have been with the group almost four years now.
“There is something about urban ballroom dancing that just gets to me. It’s fun, energetic, beautiful, sexy — all that wrapped up in one. Urban ballroom is a continual learning experience and I want to learn all that I can.
“The icing on top for me are the ladies and gentlemen that make up Dayton Urban Ballroom Group. The friendships that I’ve formed with other group members are priceless — I’m blessed that I’ve found a group of fun-loving people who share a passion for dance that I do. “
Foster also cites having fun and meeting people in “an affirming atmosphere” as part of her love for Urban Ballroom Dancing. “The first time I saw it was the first time I’d seen partner dancing in the African-American community and I realized ‘That’s what my parents did.’”
Classes are held at the Northwest Recreation Center, 1600 Princeton Dr., from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. Cost is $3 per class.
In addition to classes, the group sponsors several dances a year, the most recent to celebrate its fourth anniversary, held at the Christopher Club.
“All of our special events sell out,” said Foster, who teaches the classes with her husband David Foster, Hassell and David Criddell.
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