Archive for Sunday, March 9, 2008
Photo by Melinda Dudley
Ellen and Paul Bonnifield take the floor Friday night at the South Routt Social Dance at the Let's Dance Studio in Oak Creek.
Kicking up their heels - and boots
Newcomers and dance floor pros enjoy South Routt Social Dance
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Oak Creek Budding dancer Theo Dexter did not mislead would-be dance partners at Let's Dance Studio's South Routt Social Dance on Friday night, offering his hand with a none-too-subtle offer.
"Would you like to get stepped on?"
Fortunately, Let's Dance Studio owner Tamara Bereznak kicked off the night with instruction on how to lead and how to follow for a handful of basic social dances.
"Remember to stay off-center - that way you won't step on your partner's toes," Bereznak said.
Let's Dance Studio hosts a South Routt Social Dance every two months.
"It's something nice for the people of South Routt to do, rather than drive up to Steamboat to go to the clubs," Bereznak said.
Dancers came in from Yampa, Steamboat Springs and places in between, and practiced their steps to everything from Frank Sinatra to Jack Johnson.
"We try to come as often as we can," Ellen Bonnifield said. "We have fun."
Dancers of all skill levels, from raw beginners to old pros, cut a rug Friday night to a wide variety of styles. Newer dancers were eager to learn steps from Bereznak.
"I'm here because I need to learn how to dance," Dexter said.
More experienced dancers, such as Bonnifield and her husband, led the pack in kicking up their cowboy-booted heels for songs ranging from country to techno.
Bereznak pre-selects and mixes all her music for each event, to keep everyone on their toes - rather than their partner's.
"We do some country, then some foxtrot, then some swing, and occasionally I throw in a salsa/Latin dance," Bereznak said. "You never know what's coming next."
Despite the formal instruction, not all dance steps seen on the floor were completely by the book - Bereznak did get a chance to show off a high-heeled moonwalk during one song.


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