Willamette Valley Ballroom Dances

The flowers are out, Spring has sprung and I bet there's a spring in your feet just waiting to hit the dance floor. The list of May ballroom dances is below.

Note - there's a dance tonight, May 4th, at Trinity United Methodist Church with lessons starting at 7 hosted by Robert and Laura. Details below.

Important: notices of dances and events should continue to be sent to me at dance@janicepages.org.

~ Janice Jensen, Newsletter Editor

Wednesdays, May 1, 15 & 29: Jazz & Variety with Gus Russell & Paul Biondi. Vet’s Club. 1626 Willamette. Funk, Soul, R&B. 6 to 9 pm. No cover.

Wednesday, May 1 and continuing through the month: Round Dancing with your Favorite Ballroom Steps. Willamalane Adult Activity Center, 215 West C St, Spfld. 7:45-9:00 p.m. $3 per person, drop-in. Ballroom dance sequences, mixers, and interesting choreographies. Some dance experience helpful. Singles welcome. Wood floor, air-conditioning. Instructor: Sam Bucher. More info: Augusta @ 541-517-8976.

Also from Sam and Taught by Sam:

"Fusion" Squares (Square Dance) Monday 7:45-9pm, $3 ID/$3.50 OD drop-in. Willamalane Adult Center. A mix of modern and traditional square dancing encompassing all levels and all lists with both traditional and unique formations and approaches. No experience required and no partner needed. Drop-ins welcome. No dance on legal holidays.

International Folk Dance.Tuesday 7:45-10pm. $3 at the door. Willamalane Adult Center.Weekly request dancing. No partner or experience necessary. Intermediate teaching by guest teachers on the first Tuesday of the month. Drop-ins welcome.

Thursdays, May 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30 (& every Thursday all year): Easy Money Dance Band at the Embers. 1811 State Hiway 99 N, Eugene. Talented musicians playing great music for dancing and listening! 8 to 11 pm. Free! Just buy a drink and or food . . .

Fridays, May 3, 10, 17, & 24: Oregon Ballroom Club’s Friday Night Lesson and Dance. Global Scholars Hall,1595 E. 15th. Great Room 123. May 3 lesson: Beginner West Coast Swing taught from 7:30 to 8:30 pm, Dancing to DJ’d music of all kinds – rumba, meringue, foxtrot, waltz, swing, cha cha . . . 8:30 to 10:30 pm. FREE FOR EVERYONE! See schedule below.

Friday, May 3: Track Town Swing’s Live-Music Season Finale with Calamity Jazz Band. Vet’s Club, 1626 Willamette St. Lindy Hop and 6 count swing dance. Beginning lesson: 7 p.m. Open dancing with the band from 8 to 10 :30 p.m. $15 at the door.

Saturday, May 4: Laura & Robert’s First Saturday Dance. Trinity United Methodist Church, 440 Maxwell Rd. 7 p.m., Fox Trot lesson taught by Laura. 8 to 10 p.m., Open Social Dancing with DJ music by Robert. Great mix of songs. No partner necessary. $10 at the door, $3 students with ID. Door prizes!

Sunday, May 5: Traditional Jazz Society of Oregon. Dance to the Gold Coast Jazz Band. Spfld Elks, 1701 Centennial Blvd. Spfld. Noon to 4:30. $10 at the door. They always have fun bands to dance to and friendly people to dance with! First time is FREE!

Mondays, May 6, 13, 20, 27: Eugene Swing Dance Club’s West Coast Swing Lessons and Dance. Vet’s Club, 1626 Willamette. Beginning, beyond beginning, and intermediate lessons from 7 – 8 pm. Open dancing from 8 – 10:30 pm. $7 non-members, $5 members. All levels of ability welcome!

Tuesdays, May 7, 14, 21, 28: Rooster Blue’s Jam. Vet’s Club. 1626 Willamette. 7 pm. No cover.

Saturday, May 11: EFS Contra Dance. Village School (Dunn School) Gym, 3411 Willamette St, Eugene. Music by Euphemists, calling by Becky Nankivell. 7 p.m., Beginner Lesson; Dancing from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. $6-10, members; $8-10, non-members. No partner or experience necessary! Please bring soft soled shoes. No second date listed.

Sunday, May 12: USA Dance Ballroom Club’s Second Sunday Dance. Eugene Vets Club Ballroom.1626 Willamette St. Joy Davina will teach Bachata from 5 pm to 7 pm. Instead of an intermediate lesson first, she will start with beginning bachata and then move to the intermediate level. Open dancing from 7- 9:30 pm. Members and full-time students, $7; non-members, $10. Open to the public! Info: www.eugeneballroom.org

Friday, May 17: Ballroom/Latin/Swing Dance at Timberhill Athletic Club. 2855 NW 29th St, Corvallis, Studio C. Hosted by Barbara Platt Lauris with open dancing from 7:30 to 10 pm. $4. Contact Barbara at: arabrab@peak.org.

Saturday, May 25: Last day to register for Laura & Robert’s June Dance Classes. Four-week class series at Trinity Methodist Church, 440 Maxwell Road. 6 to 7 pm: Beginning & beyond beginning “Dances for all Occasions.” $39 per person. 7:15 to 8:15 pm: Intermediate & above: Fox Trot & Viennese Waltz. $39 per person. More info dancelaurarobert@riousa.com.

Sunday, May 26: USA Dance’s Tea Dance. Eugene Vets Club Ballroom, 1626 Willamette St. No lesson, but great music to dance away the early evening. 5:30 to 7:30 pm. $5 non-members, $3 for members, at the door. Special tribute to Peg Jennette who passed away recently.

Future Events:

University of Oregon Ballroom Dance Club Friday Night

May 10th

Beginner: Cha Cha

May 17th

Beginner: Cumbia

May 24th**

Beginner: Samba

Intermediate: Salsa

For updated information & changes to the listings, subscribe to specific club mailing lists and events websites.

Check specific event websites for updates. Happy Dancing!!

Websites of Interest

http://eugeneballroom.org/ USA Dance, Eugene chapter

www.danceeugene.com. Laura Taylor and Robert Phaigh’s website. To get on their mailing list: dancelaurarobert@riousa.com

Eugene Swing Dance Club. To get on their mailing list: eugeneswingnews@gmail.com

The Eugene Register-Guard (on Fridays) and the Eugene Weekly (on Thursdays) will have updated events.

Also see Mac’s “Home of the Blues” website, www.MacsAtTheVets.com for jazz and blues events.