a 501-C3 non profit organization
|
|
|
ABOUT US: BALLROOM
DANCERS LOCAL CHAPTER By
Robin Campbell While
skiers swoosh gracefully down Schweitzer’s winter slopes, an equally
enthusiastic, but smaller, group of amateur athletes practice their telemark
turns- an intermediate dance figure – on the ballroom dance floor. Nationally
ballroom dance is enjoying new popularity, and Sandpoint sports its own chapter
of the United States Amateur Ballroom Dancers Association (USABDA) now known as
“USA Dance Inc.” Organized in January 2001, the Pend Oreille Chapter has
been busy recruiting members, who enjoy the physical, mental and social benefits
of dancing. “Ballroom
dancing was part of my upbringing and of our whole society,” says German Born
Luise Peyton. “When I moved to North Idaho in 1993, I missed it.” Bonners
Ferry residents, Luise and husband John, a retired Army officer, felt it was too
far to drive to Spokane, so they just gave up dancing. But it kept nagging at
Luise. Partly because she loved the dress-up and social aspects of dancing, and
partly because, “I hate the gym, and dancing is such good exercise,” she
added. Then
Luise discovered www.usabda.org
and found what she was looking for – guidelines for starting a local chapter.
The Peyton’s formed a steering committee, advertised a public meeting in
January 2001 and the organization held its “Get Acquainted Dance” on the
last Saturday of the same month. On
ballroom dance night, usually the fourth Saturday of the month, at the Sandpoint
Community Hall, festivities start with a professionally taught beginner lesson.
Members and visitors line up on opposite sides of the room to learn the man’s
part (lead) and the lady’s part (follower) before trying it with a partner.
There’s plenty of laughter, lots of brows furrowed with concentration, and the
room practically rocks with enthusiasm. Members
Albert “Red” and Edna Thompson didn’t start dancing until they were in
their 60s – “just too busy, I guess,” said Edna. On the last night of a
European vacation, seated on a hotel mezzanine on the Spanish Riviera, they were
intrigued by couples below swirling to an American dance band. “I vowed right
then we were going to learn to dance when we got back.” Red said, “I thought
sure she’d forget about it, but no. While driving down the street, we saw a
dance studio sign. She made me turn right around,” The Thompson’s studied with a passion and competed for almost 10 years before moving to Bayview, Idaho. “It gave us a opportunity to travel, to attend the kind of gala affairs that weren’t part of our everyday life”, said Edna. Competition may be in the past but the dance goes on. Red, now past 80, dusted off his tails, and Edna fluffed the ostrich feathers on the hem of her ball gown to demonstrate the foxtrot at a chapter dance. Ballroom
dance music spans a variety of rhythms – from the passionate Latin such as Cha
Cha, Rumba, Mambo and Tango, to the gliding Waltz and Foxtrot, to popular club
dances – Salsa, Swing and Nightclub Two-Step. The group’s activities include
monthly dances with November and December combined into one semi-formal Holiday
Ball; a youth program that teaches in
schools during the school year, and occasional workshops. Two of the youngest
members are participants in DanceSport competitions threw out the United States
and have won numerous awards. The United States Olympic committee recognizes USA Dance Inc. as the governing body for DanceSport in this country. DanceSport, the name given to amateur dance competition, is on the list of sports recommended for admittance into the Olympic games. DanceSport athletes now compete in the World Games. For more information on the local chapter and events, call (208) 661-8933 WHERE TO CONTACT US
- USA Dance - Pend Oreille Chapter - 206 4th Ave PMB
109, Sandpoint, Id 83864 |
