Taking a group dance lesson made us feel sort of like being in middle school

We did something different from our usual Saturday night routine last week. I had read about community open dances held at the local college campus. An organization sponsors a group lesson with an instructor at 7, after which others are there for open dancing to music provided by DJs. The dance instructor is different every time, and the type of dance taught changes. Salsa dancing, waltz, West Coast swing - on our night the featured dance was East Coast swing.

So, we arrived at the Walb Ballroom at the IPFW campus in Fort Wayne. This is in the student union building, and in a spacious area to provide for a dance floor. We paid our $10 a person and lined up for the lesson. The female instructor, who teaches ballroom styles at a local Fort Wayne school, separated all men and women and had them facing each other in two lines. Her hair was an interesting mix of bright red and jet black strands cascading down her back. She was loudly mic'ed, and shouted her instructions at the class like a drill Sargent: "don't look at me, ladies with your back to me! Just listen!" (bad idea for me in a dance class). And making the lines continually change partners - frustrating for the couples who had come together to learn with their partners, not stag. Complicating things was the fact there were more women than men lining up, so not enough partners we're there for the girls. The girls were happy to cross lines and pair up to dance together, but the instructor kept breaking them up and having them wait for an available guy.

There was a hip bump step also located in this East Coast swing, that I can best describe as awkward since my partner is at least 6" taller than me. I guess this little turn-out step is this teacher's way of adding a little flair to her dance, but it strays from the basics, which are what we're there for. We need more practice to calculate the distance we need to stay from each other while turning, among other things. It's a work in process.

So we struggle through the rest of the lesson with some laughs and more or less success. Then the group lesson is over and others are strolling in before the open dance begins. We see folks have set out snacks, water and cans of sodas - a nice spread of simple stuff and youth friendly (non-alcoholic). In fact it is nice to see a wide variety of ages here, and there are many young folks; late teens or early-20s. Good for them, interested in learing how to dance with others!

So the dancing went on for a good two more hours. A song list was distributed as a play list for the featured songs and dance styles for the evening. 54 songs were lined up to be played by the DJs. Dance styles included tango, the hustle, cha cha, rumba, fox trot, and samba. I have to say there were some really excellent dancers present. Tango dancers with wonderful poise and flair strutted confidently. Line dancers, swingers (the dance kind), and waltz-ers were in full representation. We were out of our league but I enjoyed it anyway. I can see how people get into it.

Www.fwdancesport.org is the club which organizes these events. The next group lesson is September 12, with the hustle being the focus. I'm sure the club members would be thrilled to see all of you, experienced or not.