Bertie Litchfield and Barry Sheppard will be teaching American rumba. (Photo by Bertie Litchfield)
The SaddleBrooke Ballroom Dance Club (SBDC) is holding free rumba classes in November.
Rumba is a dance that originated in Cuba in the late 19th century. Spanish music and dance are full of romance. The rumba dance is a slow, serious, romantic, fun dance with flirtation (if desired) between the partners. It spotlights the lady’s rhythmic body movements and hip actions. Over the years, the rumba has evolved, and there is now an American rumba and an international rumba. The American rumba is easier to learn and is most often done at social dancing events in the USA. The leaders will appreciate the ease of learning this dance.
Rumba is a versatile dance, in that it can be done to any slow, four-count music. Some of the current favorite rumba songs are “Fields of Gold” by Sting, “She Will Be Loved” by Maroon 5, “Falling into You” by Céline Dion, “Sway” by Michael Bublé, and, of course, “Hungry Eyes” from the movie Dirty Dancing. Rumba has a box-like basic figure. The American version differs from the international version in the knee movement and musical count.
Taking rumba dance classes increases mental capacity, as you memorize choreography and think on your feet. With the ability to improvise dance steps, remember dance sequences, and decide how to move, your brain works twice as hard as it would be doing many other cardiovascular activities.
SBDC members, Bertie Litchfield and Barry Sheppard, will teach American rumba. Classes will meet on three Mondays, Nov. 1, 8, and 15, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in the Mariposa Room at the DesertView Performing Arts Center in SaddleBrooke TWO. Reviews and practice will be offered on Saturday mornings, Nov. 6, 13, and 20, from 10 a.m. until noon in the Vermillion Room at the SaddleBrooke One Clubhouse. To register, go to the SBDC website at www.sbballroomdance.com and click on “SBDC Activities Calendar” in the right-hand column of the page. When the calendar comes up, click on the blue right arrow in the upper left to move to the November calendar, and then click on the American rumba class link on Nov. 1. Registration instructions will appear. SBDC classes are for members, but, if you aren’t a member yet, you are welcome to attend a class before you join to see if it’s a good fit for you.
Where can you use the rumba steps you will be learning?
SBDC holds dances, dinner dances, theme dances, practice dances, and lessons to help you enjoy the wonderful world of dance. So please, join us for an adventure! As a member of SBDC, you will be on the email list that keeps you updated as to where and when events will occur. You may email [email protected] for further information. We look forward to meeting you in the SaddleBrooke Ballroom Dance Club, where the learning continues and the fun never ends.