Brian Hand and Sheila Honey (photo by Daniel LaCroix)
Dan Plattner
Nightclub two-step is a slow dance, perfect for dance parties, weddings, and nightclubs. It was developed in Illinois in 1965 by a 16-year-old west coast swing dancer, Buddy Schwimmer. He and his sister wanted a new dance style for ballads and slower music instead of couples dancing face-to-face and just shuffling their feet. Buddy opened a dance studio in Costa Mesa, Calif., in 1978 and started teaching this dance. The dance became a national success and has evolved into two styles, country western and ballroom.
Your Instructors
In August the ballroom style will be taught by our expert instructors Sheila Honey and Brian Hand. This couple has successfully taught the class before, and their method of teaching is to demonstrate the basics and then build on them. They demonstrate the move, students practice without music, and then with music while getting pointers from Brian and Sheila. Each class builds on what was taught in the previous classes.
Class Schedule
Classes are taught on Tuesdays and Sundays in the MountainView ballroom unless otherwise specified by the instructors or by email from the club.
Beginner classes will be Aug. 3 at 3 p.m., Aug. 5 at 5 p.m., Aug. 10 at 3 p.m., Aug. 12 at 5 p.m., Aug. 17 at 3 p.m., Aug. 19 at 5 p.m., Aug. 24 at 3 p.m., Aug. 26 at 5 p.m., and Aug. 31 at 3 p.m.
Intermediate classes will be Aug. 3 at 4 p.m., Aug. 5 at 6 p.m., Aug. 10 at 4 p.m., Aug. 12 at 6 p.m., Aug. 17 at 4 p.m., Aug. 19 at 6 p.m., Aug. 24 at 4 p.m., Aug. 26 at 6 p.m., and Aug. 31 at 4 p.m.
Novice Program
If you’ve never danced before, feel you have two left feet, or are apprehensive about learning something new, join our program for novices.
Our expert resident professional dance instructors Dale and Ann Pizzitola teach dance steps with a method that is easy to learn. They are extremely patient and know how to encourage progress.
Novice classes are free to all SaddleBrooke residents, and you do not need to be a member of the club. Classes are taught in the Mariposa Room at DesertView at 4 p.m. Rumba will be taught on Aug. 6, and Foxtrot will be taught on Aug. 13. Please register on the website at www.sbballroomdance.com or by email at countmein@sbballroomdance.com. There will also be a Novice Review Session on Aug. 27 at 4 p.m., also in the Mariposa Room. This session is designed to provide a supervised practice/dance focusing on the dances just taught in the Novice classes.
Research from several countries has shown that ballroom dancing is good for coordination, balance, brain plasticity, and socialization. Remember, the SaddleBrooke Ballroom Dance Club is where the learning continues and the fun never ends.