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Ballroom Dance How Can You Dance During a Pandemic? "Dancing with the Stars" is on TV again. Are you feeling the urge to get back on the dance floor? Our monthly dance parties are unlikely to reopen before the end of the year. Why not dance by yourself at home in the meantime? There are many ways to start. Polishing the basics is always essential for ballroom dancing. I recommend checking out www. youtube.com videos with their wide range of dance instruction, from smooth ballroom to Latin styles. Searching for videos is easy - simply type critical words into the search form. For example, the "Cha-cha-cha Basic Step Technique" is an excellent choice for learning the basics of Cha-Cha-Cha or "Waltz Basic Steps" to learn how to dance the waltz smoothly. We are seniors. Our goal is to have fun. Dancing also improves our health, mentally and physically. Dancing is much more enjoyable than sitting around! Not everyone was born for dancing, but practice will improve everyone's technique. And ballroom dancing requires coordination between you and your partner. If you don't have the individual steps down, how can you smoothly dance as partners? Did you realize that the Dance Troupe also has a men's group? The group was formed in 2014 by Chuck Miller. He had seen a video of a men's routine using folding beach chairs as props. The routine that was performed at Ocean Hills was called "The Retired Drill Team," and it was performed to a chant. In 2016 the men's group danced to the song Macho Man. The men performed twice in 2018. They danced to Let's Do the Time Warp Again. For the holiday show the men bravely donned reindeer costumes and danced to the song Run Rudolph Run. Had there been a performance in 2020 (darn the COVID), the men were learning and rehearsing a step sequence to the song I'm Too Sexy for My Shirt. That information should be enough for you to make sure that you attend our show whenever it may occur in the future! The current members of the men's group are Chuck Miller, Pete Cannon, Scott Goldwasser, Steve Ward, Joe Itson, Tony Raisigel, John Crow, Alan Ballard, Walt Webber, and Tim Pentel. The dances are choreographed by our dance teacher Yvonne Jessen. Connie Perkins has occasionally choreographed as well. Connie teaches the step arrangements to the group. The men typically begin to learn the dances in February for a June performance while the women practice tap, jazz, Hawaiian, and belly dance routines for a whole year prior to the show. Interestingly, the men keep coming back to perform. They have lots of laughs. These brave guys are more likely to be seen on the golf course or a sports court than on a dance floor. They are willing to step out of their comfort zone to do something fun. Connie's experience is that the men come to the practices with enthusiasm and a great sense of humor, and they are willing to work hard. The audiences love them! For now, there are just dance troupe memories. We look forward to being able to bring you a great show, "Under the Big Top,"…in 2021? Stay tuned for the details in the future. 14 | OHCC LIVING | NOVEMBER 2020 | Ocean Hills Dance Troupe Just in case: Check with your club contact to confirm meeting place, date, and time.