Published: August 02, 2008 04:37 pm      

Montgomery ballroom dance chapter opens

USA Dance, a nonprofit, volunteer-based organization, has opened a new ballroom dance chapter in the Montgomery area.

Founded in 1965, USA Dance has been promoting the art of ballroom dancing for decades. The group is recognized by the U.S. Olympic Committee as the national governing body for ballroom dancing in the United States and has 150-plus chapters throughout the country.

The chapter will host regular social dances for members and the general public. The chapter will also provide mixers and line dances. In an effort to promote the mental, social and physical benefits of ballroom dancing, USA Dance will offer any local colleges or high schools ballroom dance training sessions. The organization also wants to increase the local businesses that offer ballroom dance lessons to the public.

When asked what the new chapter will entail, Terry Whittington, apprentice funeral director and USA Dance volunteer, said, “The goal of the new chapter is to offer low-cost classes to Fayette County residents.”

The next dance will be 7 to 11 p.m. Oct. 18 at the old Montgomery high school gymnasium with a lesson offered from 7 to 8 p.m. and then a dance to take place after the lesson from 8 to 11 p.m.

USA Dance is funded through grants and membership dues.

For more information about USA Dance, call Terry Whittington at 304-382-8594 or go to the organization’s Web site at http://www.UsaDance.org.

— E-mail: amorici@register-herald.com