Shall we dance?
Dawn Stetzel & Ernie Inclan
Story & Photos by Gretchen Ammerman • For the TODAY
[Posted Jan. 24, 2012]
Glossophobia is the fear of public speaking, which some people list above death (thanatophobia) as something best avoided. Somewhere else on that list is chorophobia; the fear of dancing. If you are interested in dancing, but have been avoiding it from fear or simply because you don’t have a partner, you’re in luck; Oregon’s central coast offers ample opportunities to face your fear and try it out, with a partner or without.
Dawn Stetzel, who had only the mildest case of chorophobia, decided to cross learning to dance off her life list; “I had a goal before I turned 40 to learn how to swim and dance,” she said. She was held back by not having a partner to take classes with, but finally just went for it. “Part of overcoming my fear of dancing was learning that I didn’t need a partner to do it,” she said.
Aracelly Guevara also chose not to be limited by the lack of a partner when she was interested in taking the Argentinean Tango classes offered at the Newport Recreation Center. As one of the only singles in the class, she ended up being partnered most of the time with Jerry Robins, whom she did not know. For six months, they danced together without saying a word to one another. “I thought he was arrogant,” said Guevara. Then they finally broke the ice and started talking. They have been a couple ever since.
The tango classes, taught by Nancy Reid, are followed by open practices, or “practicas,” in South Beach. There are also monthly Saturday dances, or “milongas,” which sometimes feature guest instructors from as far away as Argentina. For those interested in learning ballroom dancing, there are classes for that too. Bonnie Prater has been teaching private and group lessons for over 10 years in Newport. She offered this tip to simplifying the learning curve: “Dancing is basically a series of segments,” she said, “You just have to learn to recognize them and put them together.”
[Posted Jan. 24, 2012]
Glossophobia is the fear of public speaking, which some people list above death (thanatophobia) as something best avoided. Somewhere else on that list is chorophobia; the fear of dancing. If you are interested in dancing, but have been avoiding it from fear or simply because you don’t have a partner, you’re in luck; Oregon’s central coast offers ample opportunities to face your fear and try it out, with a partner or without.
Dawn Stetzel, who had only the mildest case of chorophobia, decided to cross learning to dance off her life list; “I had a goal before I turned 40 to learn how to swim and dance,” she said. She was held back by not having a partner to take classes with, but finally just went for it. “Part of overcoming my fear of dancing was learning that I didn’t need a partner to do it,” she said.
Aracelly Guevara also chose not to be limited by the lack of a partner when she was interested in taking the Argentinean Tango classes offered at the Newport Recreation Center. As one of the only singles in the class, she ended up being partnered most of the time with Jerry Robins, whom she did not know. For six months, they danced together without saying a word to one another. “I thought he was arrogant,” said Guevara. Then they finally broke the ice and started talking. They have been a couple ever since.
The tango classes, taught by Nancy Reid, are followed by open practices, or “practicas,” in South Beach. There are also monthly Saturday dances, or “milongas,” which sometimes feature guest instructors from as far away as Argentina. For those interested in learning ballroom dancing, there are classes for that too. Bonnie Prater has been teaching private and group lessons for over 10 years in Newport. She offered this tip to simplifying the learning curve: “Dancing is basically a series of segments,” she said, “You just have to learn to recognize them and put them together.”
Julie Kay & Andy Lau
The Lincoln City Cultural Center has just begun to offer classes followed by open dancing, with a mixed format of ballroom, line dancing, and disco. “We have a beautiful auditorium, with a long history as a school gym and a community gathering place,” said Director Niki Price. “I thought it would be great to see it filled with dancers again. So I asked one of my favorite dancing couples, Jim and Diane Rodriquez, to see if we could get one started. I knew if anybody could get things rockin’, they could.” As to how the first night turned out, she said she couldn’t have been happier. “Everyone really seemed to have a good time. My favorite moment was when Jim played ‘The Hustle,’ and Ernie Inclan remembered how he had taught that dance, in that same school gym, back in 1977! Now that’s a tradition worth preserving.”
Jim Rodriquez belongs to a group of people who suffer from the opposite of chorophobia, and he says they are thrilled with the growing number of options for dancing on the coast. “We used to go to Salem and Portland to dance,” he said. “It’s nice not having to go all that way.” “Plus,” he continued, “they don’t really like us when we come to clubs as a group because we don’t spend money; all we drink is water.”
The recently opened event center in Lincoln City, The Eventuary, will also be offering dance classes followed by open dancing. Twyla Plummer will be one of the instructors, but she will be inviting more as needed. “We plan to teach what people want to learn.” she said. The Eventuary has a full sound system on two stories of the building. “So, if we have a group that wants hip hop and a group that wants swing, we can do both.” Stay tuned for details about the first dance sessions to be held at The Eventuary.
One of the pleasures of dancing in Lincoln County is the opportunity to dance to a live band, and we have not one, but two, that perform for dances monthly. Both dances with live bands are open with no lessons. The music is traditional ballroom; typical dance steps include the waltz, rhumba and swing.
The Lincoln Pops Orchestra has been giving dancers something to move to for 26 years. They perform on the third Thursday of the month in Gleneden Beach. “We are known to play even if the weather is not favorable,” said Barbara La Pine, who plays the vibraphone in the band. “In the 5 years I have been in the band, I have never seen a show get cancelled.” The age of the performers ranges from teens to seniors, and the current director, John Bringetto, has his pick of Newport High kids, as he directs the school bands. “These kids are so good they will bring you to tears,” said La Pine.
On the first Thursday of the month, the Yachats Big Band fills the Yachats Commons with great big sound. Formed in 1992, the 17 piece band plays songs from all eras, but really finds its groove playing the music of Glenn Miller, Count Basie, Duke Ellington and others. Both bands heartily encourage folks to just come and listen, even if they don’t want to get on the dance floor. But be warned, the atmosphere created by the bands and the dancers who regularly attend the monthly events is warm and welcoming, and by the end of the night, you may just find yourself on the dance floor after all.
Jim Rodriquez belongs to a group of people who suffer from the opposite of chorophobia, and he says they are thrilled with the growing number of options for dancing on the coast. “We used to go to Salem and Portland to dance,” he said. “It’s nice not having to go all that way.” “Plus,” he continued, “they don’t really like us when we come to clubs as a group because we don’t spend money; all we drink is water.”
The recently opened event center in Lincoln City, The Eventuary, will also be offering dance classes followed by open dancing. Twyla Plummer will be one of the instructors, but she will be inviting more as needed. “We plan to teach what people want to learn.” she said. The Eventuary has a full sound system on two stories of the building. “So, if we have a group that wants hip hop and a group that wants swing, we can do both.” Stay tuned for details about the first dance sessions to be held at The Eventuary.
One of the pleasures of dancing in Lincoln County is the opportunity to dance to a live band, and we have not one, but two, that perform for dances monthly. Both dances with live bands are open with no lessons. The music is traditional ballroom; typical dance steps include the waltz, rhumba and swing.
The Lincoln Pops Orchestra has been giving dancers something to move to for 26 years. They perform on the third Thursday of the month in Gleneden Beach. “We are known to play even if the weather is not favorable,” said Barbara La Pine, who plays the vibraphone in the band. “In the 5 years I have been in the band, I have never seen a show get cancelled.” The age of the performers ranges from teens to seniors, and the current director, John Bringetto, has his pick of Newport High kids, as he directs the school bands. “These kids are so good they will bring you to tears,” said La Pine.
On the first Thursday of the month, the Yachats Big Band fills the Yachats Commons with great big sound. Formed in 1992, the 17 piece band plays songs from all eras, but really finds its groove playing the music of Glenn Miller, Count Basie, Duke Ellington and others. Both bands heartily encourage folks to just come and listen, even if they don’t want to get on the dance floor. But be warned, the atmosphere created by the bands and the dancers who regularly attend the monthly events is warm and welcoming, and by the end of the night, you may just find yourself on the dance floor after all.
Dance Opportunities: A Coastal Roundup
Nancy Reid & Pete McSwain
Mondays
• South Beach Community Center, Tango practica, 7:30-10:30 p.m., 3024 S.E. Ferry Sip Road Newport, 541-265-8395
• Newport Recreation Center, Tango lessons, 6-7 p.m., 3225 Se Avery St, Newport, 541-265-8395
Wednesdays
• South Beach Community Center, beginning ballroom classes, (Classes are one month long) 3024 S.E. Ferry Sip Road Newport, 541-270-5071
Thursdays
• First Thursday of the month:
Yachats Commons, open dance with Yachats Big Band, 7-9 p.m., Hwy 101 and W 4th St., (541) 547-4734 or 961-6597
• Second Thursday of the month:
Lincoln City Cultural Center, classes followed by open dancing, 540 NE Hwy 101, Lincoln City, 541-994-9994
• Third Thursday of the month:
Gleneden Beach Community Center, open dance with the Lincoln Pops Orchestra, 7-10 p.m., 110 Azalea Street Gleneden Beach, 541-764-5270
Saturdays
• Third Saturday of the month
South Beach Community Center, Tango Milonga, 7:30-10:30 p.m., 3024 S.E. Ferry Sip Road Newport, 541-265-8395
• South Beach Community Center, Tango practica, 7:30-10:30 p.m., 3024 S.E. Ferry Sip Road Newport, 541-265-8395
• Newport Recreation Center, Tango lessons, 6-7 p.m., 3225 Se Avery St, Newport, 541-265-8395
Wednesdays
• South Beach Community Center, beginning ballroom classes, (Classes are one month long) 3024 S.E. Ferry Sip Road Newport, 541-270-5071
Thursdays
• First Thursday of the month:
Yachats Commons, open dance with Yachats Big Band, 7-9 p.m., Hwy 101 and W 4th St., (541) 547-4734 or 961-6597
• Second Thursday of the month:
Lincoln City Cultural Center, classes followed by open dancing, 540 NE Hwy 101, Lincoln City, 541-994-9994
• Third Thursday of the month:
Gleneden Beach Community Center, open dance with the Lincoln Pops Orchestra, 7-10 p.m., 110 Azalea Street Gleneden Beach, 541-764-5270
Saturdays
• Third Saturday of the month
South Beach Community Center, Tango Milonga, 7:30-10:30 p.m., 3024 S.E. Ferry Sip Road Newport, 541-265-8395
