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I’ve driven by the place hundreds of times, tucked away in a modest strip of stores. But I never entered. I never knew what happened within those walls. The other night I found out.

Yes, I had an invitation to try ballroom dancing. In that little nondescript building, I found a world I didn’t know existed.

I met my friends Helen and Penny in the parking lot. They both looked beautiful, with pretty skirts aflutter. Helen brought gold dance shoes with high heels and a strap across the instep.

We climbed a stairway to a good-sized studio above. The room, with its wood floors, was softly lit. In one corner, a band started playing with a Frank Sinatra-like crooner singing, “Fly Me to the Moon.”

My God. It was like I’d gone back to an early 60’s cocktail party with my grandmother. Nana loved a good time, bopping her tiny frame to Dean Martin and Jack Jones. Where were the Rob Roys and Vodka Gimlets?

I hadn’t worn a dress, let alone a swingy skirt, in ages. I have to admit, it was fun feeling “girlie” again. My husband Randy has two bad knees. He was happy to sit this night out.

Helen, Penny and I stood with wine glasses in hand, watching dancers glide by. Some were obvious beginners, like me. Others were as smooth as that silky-voiced singer.

Men walked around, holding out hands in invitation. I felt like I was back in junior high. Would I be asked? And then… bingo.

The handsome Russian owner glided up to me. My heart did a jump as he led me onto the floor. We did the Swing, so easy, even I could pick it up fast. He even twirled me a few times. Ooh la la!

For the next hour, Helen, Penny and I took turns tripping the light fantastic. There were young men, barely in their twenties. There were middle-aged guys and even several elderly gentlemen navigating around.

I soon learned when the music starts, you don’t start moving like a crazed school girl. You wait, one hand on the male’s shoulder, the other clasping his other hand. The men start. You follow. (I’m not sure what it says about me, but I had to recalibrate my brain to do this.)

At one point, I was dancing with this graceful Asian man, and realized I was glad I said, “Yes,” to this event. I’m glad I didn’t give into my usual lazy, introverted self.

And that’s when I realized something else: some of the best things happen when you say, “Yes.” You never know what portal you’ll walk through leading to other worlds – meeting a significant person, seeing something different, learning a new skill. There’s sometimes magic in the word, “Yes.”

Halfway through the evening, lights came on. Women lined up on one wall. Men faced us against the opposite. We were soon paired with the partner across the way.

I danced with a nice man with an accent. I asked where he was from and he replied, “Iran.” As we attempted the Foxtrot, I couldn’t help ask what he thought of the travel ban, enacted a few days earlier. Airports were in chaos. Iran was on the list of banned countries.

Surprisingly, his face lit up. He said he was sad for the ban, but cheered by so many Americans protesting. He’s lived in this country over twenty years. He runs a local Subway franchise. “I’m proud to live here,” he said.  “Its my home.”

Our song ended. We nodded our goodbyes. Funny, what you can learn about someone on the dance floor.

I did a few more rounds, but after two hours was ready to go. Surprisingly, my feet didn’t hurt.

I hugged Helen and Penny goodbye. Feeling like Cinderella leaving the ball, I exited down the stairs to the sultry lyrics of, “Witchcraft.”

…’Cause it’s witchcraft, wicked witchcraft 

And although, I know, it’s strictly taboo…

I came into the chilly night. And that’s when I realized this event had indeed been a portal into another world — an escape from CNN, Twitter, and Facebook. Problems had been forgotten.

Everything was up-tempo and cool. Women wore gold shoes and swirly skirts.

And just when you start looking wistfully to those other couples swirling by, a man holds out his hand. “Would you like to dance?” he asks.

You can’t help but smile. “Yes, I would.”

 

Have you tried ballroom dancing? Comments are always welcome and if you’d like to share, feel free!

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Comments(38)

  1. I LOVE ballroom dancing. You simply can’t be sad or annoyed or anything negative when you’re gliding about the floor. We taught our kids early and now everyone dances. LOVE IT!!!

      • Laurie Stone

      • 7 years ago

      Diane, There were kids there that night who seemed to love it. What a great way to forget your troubles.

      1. I would SO love to do this!
        Husby and I were at a Halloween party last Saturday and out on the floor, dancing. We turned and there were our eldest son and his wife (with babe in arms between them) twirling to the music. It was a joyous sight! Nothing else intrudes when you’re swirling and dipping to the music!

          • Laurie Stone

          • 5 years ago

          Diane, What a beautiful moment. Its one of those time when you realize how blessed you are. Lovely image.

  2. Great example of trying something new and growing from it. Ballroom dancing may not be my cup of tea but there are a lot of things I want to try and don’t. Great read!

      • Laurie Stone

      • 7 years ago

      Chris, Thank you. Since my husband doesn’t dance, it was never something I looked into. I’m glad I got a little glimpse into it, though.

  3. my husband and I gave it a shot several years ago – it was the middle of Summer and really hot and we weren’t very good. I think gracefulness is not my middle name. I have a deep envy for those who twirl effortlessly across the dance floor.

      • Laurie Stone

      • 7 years ago

      Leanne, There were some great dancers that night. I love just watching them.

  4. What a divine post! Jack Jones… There’s name from a distant universe! Your charming post is just what I needed, today. It reminds me of the Richard Gere, JLo movie, “Shall We Dance?” Think about all the hidden world behind doors that we pass by each day and don’t give a thought about the lives and loves behind them. Thanks, Brenda

      • Laurie Stone

      • 7 years ago

      Brenda, Don’t you love that about life? How there are so many hidden portals…yet undiscovered.

  5. I so, so envy people who can do this. I have taken lessons and nothing comes less naturally to me, with the exception of golf. It just looks so incredibly freeing. Possibly I’ll try again.

      • Laurie Stone

      • 7 years ago

      Susan, I suspect like anything in life, it takes practice. I’m glad I went and would go again. Its something that looks like fun, once you know what you’re doing.

    • Erik Erikson

    • 7 years ago

    Great story, Laurie! Last year I tried fly fishing for the first time. I have fished since I was a kid and have always enjoyed it but fly fishing was another world to me. It seemed to complicated to enjoy. It was very frustrating in the beginning but I took 3 lessons and now I am hooked. I can’t believe I sat on the side lines all these years. I guess maybe that’s my ballroom dancing.

      • Laurie Stone

      • 7 years ago

      Erik, As we get older, I think its good to try new things. You never know when you’ll walk through that next important portal. So glad you found a hobby you love.

    • Heather

    • 7 years ago

    The hubs and I took classes years ago. It was fun but we did not keep up. I recently started aerial yoga! I am a long-time “traditional” yoga student and I was interested to see how it would be. I am totally HOOKED! It is like being a kid on the monkey bars.

      • Laurie Stone

      • 7 years ago

      Heather, Aerial yoga! How cool. I’m also a long-time devotee of yoga. Will have to look into it.

  6. I haven’t tried it but I totally would. In fact, I could tell at the last wedding I went to that had “real” dancing that I might need lessons before the upcoming September wedding!

      • Laurie Stone

      • 7 years ago

      Paula, It never hurts to learn. I even wish I had lessons before I went that night. I think I would’ve been more confident, but it was still fun.

  7. This was simply enchanting, Laurie! It made me think of the Richard Gere, JLo movie, “Shall We Dance?” Life should be about saying yes and stepping outside of our comfort zones. I will remember your words and your evening while I find more opportunities to say yes. xoxo, Brenda

      • Laurie Stone

      • 7 years ago

      Brenda, I’ve always found the simple word, “Yes” has opened so many doors. As they say, we regret what we don’t do, more than what we do.

  8. It’s on my bucket list. My parents loved to dance and would swirl around the dance floor as if no one else existed but the two of them.

      • Laurie Stone

      • 7 years ago

      Jennifer, Wow! That sounds wonderful. Weren’t you lucky to have two parents who seem so compatible. I’m glad I did it and would do it again.

  9. I’ve always wanted to do that because I love to dance. And, I also need a break from CNN. LOL

      • Laurie Stone

      • 7 years ago

      Rebecca, Don’t we all? Yes, I’ve been tempted to go back. Think I might!

  10. Sounds like a lot of fun! I really have 2 left feet and my poor husband is worse. We took a class, private, decades ago and I laughed and laughed! Still at a wedding reception we will get out on the dance floor and I prefer ballroom to anything else.

      • Laurie Stone

      • 7 years ago

      Haralee, I was embarrassed at how bad I was. Still, it was fun and I’d do it again. Dancing is fun anyway you do it.

  11. Hubs and I took lessons about a decade ago–we love music from the swing era. Every now and then we’ll find Sinatra or Ella on Spotify and dance around the kitchen. Music really can transport you. What a sweet post. And yes, what doors a simple “yes” can open!

      • Laurie Stone

      • 7 years ago

      Roxanne, Dancing to Frank or Ella sounds like fun! It’s amazing how music really can bring us to a different place. Glad you like my “yes” theory!

  12. I have to admit that I’m not very coordinated, so dancing isn’t my forte; however, I’ve always wanted to try ballroom dancing and your gutsiness has inspired me to consider trying it 🙂 Great post!

      • Laurie Stone

      • 6 years ago

      Kristi, Thank you! If you’re inclined, I highly recommend giving it a whirl.

  13. We take a group class every week and I love it! I have always wanted to learn but it was not allowed. Then in 2000 when I got divorced, friends of mine adopted me and took me with them everywhere they went which included weekly dances. They taught me quite a bit and I’ve been learning ever since.
    🙂

      • Laurie Stone

      • 5 years ago

      Nikki, That sounds like fun! I’d love to find a weekly dance class. I bet it would help with anxiety.

    • Sandra Watson

    • 5 years ago

    I’ve wanted to try ballroom dancing for a long time. Thanks for the inspiration!

      • Laurie Stone

      • 5 years ago

      Sandra, It was a lot of fun. I’d love to go back someday.

  14. I never learned to ballroom dance, but it’s what my parents did. It was fun to watch them gliding around the dance floor.

      • Laurie Stone

      • 5 years ago

      Jennifer, I would’ve loved to have seen my parents do that. Sounds like you have an interesting blog post.

  15. What a great read! I actually took ballroom dancing when I was in 5th and 6th grade. It was called “dancing school.” We wore dresses and white gloves and the woman that taught it was 100 years old (or so we thought). I had a love/hate relationship with that dancing school. Would that boy I have a crush on ask me to dance? Would I win the box of candy at the end of the night? It all culminated with the holiday Charity Ball. Oh the memories. And the sad part is? I remember very little when it comes to ballroom dancing.

      • Laurie Stone

      • 4 years ago

      Lauren, It sounds like fun. I would’ve loved that as a kid, especially with boys! It makes me sad that this little dance school near me is probably closed due to Covid.

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