How to go
What: Dayton Ballroom Dance Club
When: 7:30-10:30 p.m., Mondayts
Where: Arbor Hall, 2150 Arbor Blvd. Moraine 45439
Cost: Classes start at $8
Contact: www.daytonballroom.org, or call (937)848-4947 or 839-2589
People can dance the night away now that the Dayton Ballroom Dance Club has relocated to Moraine.
The club previously offered dance lessons for beginners through advanced dancers at the Hara Arena and now hopes to increase their numbers by adding additional members south of Dayton.
“We’re the only teaching club in the Dayton community,” said Connie Rives, of Bellbrook, who serves as vice-president of the club and sees the club as an entry into social dance activities in the area. “We were looking for a more central location and Arbor Hall (in Moraine) also has a great dance floor.”
Rives joined the club 13 years ago after a friend from her skate dance class invited her to attend a session. She quickly adapted to gliding around the floor in dance shoes instead of skates and now is one of the friendly faces that greets new members.
The Dayton Ballroom Dance Club was started in 1961 by Clancy Burroughs. Charter members Ray Grillmeier and Louis Beigel still participate along with about 80 other members who attend on a regular basis.
With the help of professional dance instructors, club members learn dance steps like the Viennese Waltz, the Rumba, the Cha-Cha and the Tango for 90 minutes followed by a practice dance that includes students from all four levels of instruction from beginning through advanced.
Kevin and Eileen Wilson, of Springboro, signed up for the classes earlier this year after the location was moved to Moraine. The couple was looking for a social activity they could enjoy together when they stumbled on dancing.
“I was searching on the Internet and I found the group, so we came along and took lessons,” said Eileen Wilson, who moved with her husband to Springboro from their native England. “Everybody is so friendly and the teachers are so experienced. We’ve also met friends and we go dancing together on the weekends.”
Kevin Wilson will even record steps on his cell phone, so the couple can review lessons later. The couple also enjoys refreshments like punch, cookies and other donated baked items that are available for the members of the group during intermissions.
“It’s so exciting because you can join this club and make so many friends,” said Shannon Wahl, of Dayton. “It’s not like a single’s club. It’s just a nice safe place to make friends and socialize.”
Members are not required to come with partners, but will be matched up during the lessons.
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