BY ANDREW FRASER

Every Monday (except County holidays) from 7-9pm everyone is welcome to free ballroom dancing and lessons at the Betty Ehart Senior Activity Center It is a Los Alamos County Activity organized by Terry Goodwin and Selmo Jaramillo.  Every month we focus on a particular ballroom dance, and in August the focus is bolero.

This “Cuban Dance of Love” blends the Tango’s dramatic moves, Rumba’s rhythm and the Waltz’s rise and fall.  Bolero has a certain grace and athleticism, but is also teeming with dramatic tension! Sometimes this dance is seen as an artful styling of the movements of the Matadore and the graceful Cape (Sometimes the elusive Bull).  Join us to dance to such tunes as Celine Dion’s “Falling into You”, Bee Gee’s “How Deep Is Your Love” and Ricky Martin’s “Casi un Bolero”.

From 7 to 7:15 we will be playing bolero music so that as folks arrive they can dance or watch.  From 7:15 to 8:15 the instructors will teach a lesson.  Then from 8:15 till closing at 9 we will play a mix of music for various ballroom dances.  Both the instructors and the dances change every month.  Dr. Jennifer Couture, the instructor for August, started dancing as an undergraduate more than 20 years ago.

The Monday night Ballroom community is friendly and always welcomes beginners.  Each lesson will contain some basics.  However, the moves taught will also build on previous lessons, so to get the most out of the class, it’s best to start coming on Monday August 5.  Subsequent
lessons are August 12, 19 and 26.

You never need to bring a partner because all dancers are encouraged to rotate partners.  It’s a great way to meet new people and improve your dancing at the same time.  While it’s at the Senior Activity Center, younger people are welcome and many attend.

Here are the details:

  * What: Bolero dance lessons and ballroom dancing.

  * Where: Betty Ehart Senior Center (1101 Bathtub Row Los Alamos, NM).

  * When: Mondays 7:00 to 9:00 pm August 5, 12, 19, and 26.  Instructor:
    Jennifer Couture.

  * To Bring: Yourself.  No partner necessary.  Shoes with little
    traction or leather soles if you have them.