VERO BEACH — The Vero Beach Chapter of USA Dance is sponsoring National Ballroom Dance Week, September 17 to 26, promoting local, professional dance events daily to increase awareness of ballroom dancing. The weeklong celebration provides an opportunity for the public to learn ballroom dance styles, enjoy social dancing, observe showcases and experience the physical and emotional benefits of dancing.
In cooperation with local independent dance clubs, studios and instructors, USA Dance Chapter #6070 (serving the communities of Vero Beach, Ft. Pierce and Sebastian), has organized a calendar of dances, workshops and group classes to set your feet dancing – from Ballroom to Salsa to Argentine Tango to West Coast Swing and more.
Participating instructors include Ray Duryea and Eddie Bui of Line of Dance; Joe Wynes of Desire to Dance; Janice Robinson and Chris Runge of Vero Beach Tango Group; Joe and Shari Tessier of 14th Avenue Dance Studio; Asya and Oleg Dimitrov of Royal Ballroom Dance Studio; Robert Scott and Karren Walter of Indian River Ballroom; Phil and Caroline Gaskin of the Beachside Ballroom Club.
Among the many dance programs offered are Chapter-sponsored events including the following:
Thursday, September 16 – Kick-off USA Dance at the Heritage Center from 7 to 10 p.m. Hustle lesson from 7 to 8 p.m. taught by Robert Scott. Cost $8/member, $10/non-member;
Saturday, September 18 – Dancing in the Indian River Mall, dancing and showcases from noon to 2 p.m. with DJ Joe Tessier. Admission is free;
Thursday, September 23 – Dance at the Royal Ballroom Studio from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Rumba lesson from 7 to 8 p.m. Cost: $8/member, $10/non-member;
Saturday, September 25 – Workshops at the World Gym Longevity Max: Argentine Tango from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. taught by Robert Scott of the Indian River Ballroom and Hustle from 2 to 4 p.m. taught by Karren Walter of the Indian River Ballroom. Cost per class: $16/member, $20/non-member.
On Sunday, September 26 – USA Dance at the Heritage Center from 5 to 8 p.m. Waltz lesson from 5 to 6 p.m. taught by Phil and Caroline Gaskin, who will also DJ the event. Cost: $8/member. $10/non-member.
USA Dance is a broad-based national volunteer organization serving as a catalyst to establish a great variety of dance-related programs, and to encourage more people to become involved and enjoy the many benefits of dancing – fun, fitness, and social interaction. A 501c(3) non-profit organization, USA Dance operates exclusively for charitable and educational purposes. Its mission is to improve the quality and the quantity of ballroom dancing in the United States. USA Dance serves as the National Governing Body for DanceSport, the competitive version of ballroom dancing, in the United States subject to the statutes of the International DanceSport Federation (IDSF); the United States Olympic Committee (USOC); the Amateur Sports Act of the United States Congress. It organizes and supports programs for the recreational enjoyment of ballroom dancing by all ages and creates affordable opportunities for the general public to participate in ballroom dancing and DanceSport.
Additionally it organizes and supports DanceSport events internationally and nationally, including national, regional and local championships; promotes and supports ballroom dance programs in colleges and secondary schools; applies special programs to attract beginners to ballroom dancing and to both encourage and assist these dancers in meeting their goals; emphasizes to the public the healthful aspects of ballroom dancing; its physical, mental and social benefits; organizes and supports programs to increase the number of dancers and to assist in the elevation of dancing skills, both competitors and recreational social dancers. For information regarding the national organization, visit www.usadance.org.
For a complete schedule and details of National Ballroom Dance Week events, visit www.verodance.org or call Lorely Ridge at (772) 770-9684.