October 20, 2009

Ballroom dancing classes planned for spring

by Amanda Scott

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- If you wish you felt comfortable dancing at parties, weddings or dinner dances, or perhaps if you’re just looking for new and exciting ways to exercise or socialize, the Division of Continuing Education at Southern Illinois University Carbondale has just the thing for you.

Ballroom dancing courses planned for spring semester will help you learn a variety of basic steps for the six most common ballroom dances. There are actually two separate classes, each taught in two sessions.

“Beginning Ballroom Dancing” offers beginners a quick introduction to the basic steps of the waltz, tango, foxtrot, rumba, cha cha and swing. It provides instruction in lead-follow and proper dance technique and it’s also a great refresher class for veteran dancers. Meanwhile, those who have advanced beyond the basics will want to try “Beyond Beginner Ballroom Dancing” where instruction includes advanced techniques.

The first six-week sessions of “Beginning Ballroom Dancing” and “Beyond Beginner Ballroom Dancing” start Jan. 19 and run for six consecutive Tuesday evening. They’ll include instruction in the waltz, tango and foxtrot. The second session, starting March 16 and continuing for six weeks on Tuesday evenings, will focus on the rumba, cha cha and swing.

For each session, the beyond beginner classes meet 6-7:30 p.m. followed by the beginner classes running 7:30-9 p.m. All classes meet in Ballroom A at the SIUC Student Center. Courses are open to couples or singles. Registration is $30 per participant per six-week class session.

Dance instructors Jeremiah Linson and Crystal Hodges come to SIUC from Paducah, Ky., to put their spin on DCE’s popular ballroom dancing classes. It’s a chance for people to learn or improve their dance from the pros.

For more information or to register, contact the Division of Continuing Education at 618/536-7751 or visit the Web site at https://www.dce.siu.edu/.