Ballroom dancing is certainly alive and well in Portland and vicinity! Yours truly continues to be impressed by the growing numbers and enthusiasm of dancers in the beautiful Northwest. DANCE NOTES
By Mary Ann Carter
Ballroom dancing is certainly alive and well in Portland and vicinity! Yours truly continues to be impressed by the growing numbers and enthusiasm of dancers in the beautiful Northwest.
We attended Lucia Galizia's "First Friday of the Month" Dance at the Portland Police Athletic Association in downtown Portland and nearly danced our feet off. Lucia's music is lively, has great variety and an excellent tempo for dancing. She had a full house of very enthusiastic dancers, many of whome took part in the Waltz lesson taught by Clay Nelson. Lucia's next dance is scheduled for Friday, August 7. A great place to dance!
Exploring further south with my partner from Chicago, we attended Fancy Feet Dance Club's First Anniversary Dance on June 12th in Oregon City. We were treated with great hospitality, and enjoyed a dynamite West Coast Swing demonstration by Michael and Amber Cross. Owner Michelle Uttke has created on atmosphere very conducive to enjoyable dancing. Congratulations, Michelle!
For Latin lovers, a growing number of clubs are featuring Salsa Nights. I have burned many calories dancing Salsa and Meregue at Fernando's Hideaway at 824 S.W.. First in downtown Portland, and also at the Cha Cha Club (a cozy hideaway located downstairs in the Grand Cafe on S.E. Grand Ave.) both of these clubs offer a very Latin atmosphere and great Salsa music.
The sultry world of Tango continues to attract more devotees to this passionate dance. The hold is called an embrace, and the music is all passion and romance, so the appeal is obvious. This writer had the pleasure of discovering another delightful venue for this wonderful dance: Appropriately called "A Night in Shining Amour", it's located at 115 9th St. in downtown Vancouver. Every Wednesday evening Dan and Dolores Timmins host a delightful Milonga (Tango dance), from 7:30 to 11 p.m. preceded by a great lesson taught by Dan at 6:30. You will find friendly people, beautiful music, a fabulous hardwood floor, and, most importand, the intimate ambience is very Tango.
Speaking of intimate Tango ambience, yours truly cordially invites anyone who loves Tango, or wants to try it for the first time, to come to Sege's Art Bar at 818 S.W. First in downtown Portland any Tuesday evening for a delightful Tango experience. The is a lesson at 7, which always covers the basics, followed by dancing to beautiful Tango music. You can bring your own partner, or perhaps meet a new one! The tangueros (tango dancers) are friendly, the ambience is pure Buenos aires, and Sege's also has a great menu and delicious food!
NEWS FLASH: A brand new venue for Swing Music and dancing is Taska's Music Hall, at 108th and N.E. Halsey, every Wednesday night, featuring the Music Masters. Also, starting July 8, Swing lessons will be provided at 8pm for only $2!
Attention all Tangueros! (Tango Dancers). Beginning Sunday July 12th, there is a new Sunday night Milonga (Tango Dance) at La Rumba Restaurant, 130 N.W. 3rd Ave. at 7pm, followed by dancing to wonderful Tango music. Come on down! (See ad this issue)
Watch this column for news about a spectacular upcoming Tango Ball in October featuring fabulous dancers and musicians from Argentina!