Dance While the Music Plays On

The LOP Sliders Social Dance Club was conceived in 2008 and continues to grow. Originally called “a Ballroom Dance Club”, the LOP Sliders changed the concept to “a Social Dance Club”. While the club does teach ballroom basics, we do not teach the styles of “Dancing With the Stars”, which is a competitive level of dancing. Instead the lessons consist of leading/following and becoming comfortable with dancing to all styles of music weather it be country, rock and roll, two step or freestyle. The instructors are non-professional; they are people who enjoy dancing and are willing to share with club members, their styles, patterns and moves.

In 2008, the club's first meeting consisted of teaching the Elvira Freeze. Since there are other known variations of this dance, such as the Electric Slide, it took several lessons for us to develop the pattern we use today. We then moved on to develop a “Signature Waltz” which is nothing more than a choreographed formation waltz which consists of many of the Waltz basic steps. We started teaching the Waltz as a “line dance” and later taught the Signature Waltz as a couples formation dance. September 1, the LOP Slider's Dance Troop performed an extended variation of the formation dance including advanced moves, (choreogrqphed by Jim and Evelyn Hulin) at the Lady 9ers Luncheon. The same steps that are used in the Signature Waltz can also be used to dance a sexy Rumba. Other basics that were taught during the 2008-2009 period were Cha Cha, Swing, Foxtrot and some American Smooth Tango. Perhaps other lessons in 2010 will consist of The Hustle, Night Club Two Step and Salsa.

The first LOP Slider's hosted dance was in October 17, 2008; we borrowed the small stereo system that sits on the clubhouse lounge wall divider as our sound system. We found that it was not suitable for the dances and petitioned the help from the Firebelles, the Tennis Club and the Aerobics Club to purchase the more adequate sound system that is being used today. The club continues to host a dance each month (usually the 2^{nd or 3rd} Friday) with the assistance from a professional DJ “Unlimited Sounds”. These monthly dances are free. Steve Bungato of Unlimited Sounds has agreed to work for “tips” as long as it doesn't conflict with his professional gigs. The monthly dances start at 8:00 pm following Friday night dining and continues to 11:00 pm.

For additional information regarding scheduled practice Mondays and Friday Night Dances, please visit our website at www.LOPSliders.org or contact Barry Connick at 268-0781, Darlene Taber at 268-1981 or Richard Ely at 268-2514. Our next scheduled Friday night dance is January 15, 2010. Come and join us at the clubhouse to “Dance the Night Away”.