Vivian Herman and Bob Osborne (photo by Sheila Honey)
Pat Knepler
Spring is the time of new beginnings. The SaddleBrooke Ballroom Dance Club is just that. We strive to keep our dances and activities varied enough so that everything seems new and fresh. April may be known as the time for showers in much of the world—“April showers bring May flowers”—but here, April brings a list of many exciting events, starting with our first-ever barbecue social!
Novice Events
We finish up March with our March 25 novice class, stepping to the music of the foxtrot and merengue. The novice classes and Novice Practice Party are aimed at novice dancers—those who have never danced before, have not danced in a very long time, or who need a quick refresher on some of the common dances. You don’t have to be a member of the club to participate. Just sign up on our website and have some fun on the dance floor with us. Both novice classes and the Novice Practice Party on March 22 are taught by Dale and Ann Pizzitola, our resident professionals. April novice classes are on Monday, April 1, featuring tango and East Coast swing, and on Monday, April 22, covering the waltz and rumba. The Novice Practice Party for the month will be held on Friday, April 26. All novice events start at 4 p.m. in the SaddleBrooke One Vermilion Room.
Parties
Join us on March 15 for a Ballroom Dance Party, with music supplied by Bob Osborne. Then in April get ready for our Mamma Mia Greek Island Disco Party! All our dancers will be showing off the new Latin hustle moves they learned during the March classes. Both dances will be held in the MountainView ballroom, with an optional dinner at 5 p.m., followed by dancing until 8 p.m. Check the website www.sbballroomdance.com for more details.
Beginner/Intermediate Level Classes
In April our beginner and intermediate level classes will concentrate on the cha cha, taught by Bob Osborne and Vivian Herman, two of our more accomplished dancers. The cha cha is a Latin dance derived from both the rumba and mambo. It came to the United States from Cuba in the early 1950s. It is a fun dance with compact steps that incorporate many hip movements. What makes it such a popular ballroom dance is its versatility. It lends itself to each couple creating different movements and steps. There are two types of cha cha: international and American. Both are used in competition, but the American rhythm is most often taught socially.
Please Join Us
Dancing is a great exercise—both physical and mental. It helps us stay agile and have more energy, even as we age. The SaddleBrooke Ballroom Dance Club is a great place to make new friends and keep socially active. Please consider joining the club and participating in our classes, parties, and other social events. Check us out on the website www.sbballroomdance.com or email [email protected] with any questions you might have. Remember, “The SaddleBrooke Ballroom Dance Club is where the learning continues and the fun never ends!”