Dance Lovers

by Kitty Turner

The sound of feet on the tile floor is sampened by the music as 10 couples practice a "basket step" in the Killian Building student lounge on the Blue Ridge Community College campus.

"Invite the lady over," Foster Lampert intones, demonstrating with his wife Judi the swing dance move for the class.
"Send her back, invite her over again, and the third time pass her under and change sides."

The class watches the demonstration avidly, and everyone tries hard to duplicate the move, with varied success.

"The great thing about Foster and Judi is that no matter how bad you are they always make you feel good," says Mary Ann Cooper of Waynesville, who was watching the beginning class while she waited for the intermediate class to start. "If I can do it anybody can."

On the floor everyone has successfully completed the basket step, and Foster says, "Ladies, move one partner down."

"I'm single, so I don't have a partner," Cooper says. "But it doesn't matter because everyone changes partners. That way you learn to dance with all kinds of people."

The Lamperts also make sure there are enough men and women to make even numbers so no one is left out, often asking members of the advanced classes to come in and help out with the beginners.

"We come to be angels," says Olga Locicero, who has been taking classes with her husband Mike since 1995. "We help out by providing partners and some experience."

Dance Lovers USA

Foster and Judi Lampert have been teaching ballroom dancing in the Asheville and Hendersonville area for nine years as owners of Dance Lovers USA. They offer classes on Monday and Tuesday in St. Mark's Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall in Asheville and on Wednesday in the Killian Building student lounge at Blue Ridge Community College.

"If you have to miss a class you can just go to a different night," Cooper says. "I'm making up my Monday night class."

The Lamperts have 40 years combined teaching experience.

"My brother owned a ballroom in Bloomington, Ind.," Foster says. "I had a renovation and construction business, but I would help him out in my spare time. But every time a manager would get a little experience, they'd branch out on their own, so eventually I took over the ballroom."

Foster bought the ballroom from his brother and taught classes for more than 20 years.

"I'm just a shy farm boy," he says. His wife Judi rolls her eyes in denial. "But in high school I was dating a cheerleader, and when we went to dances I didn't feel I was good enough. I like to do things well." That feeling led him to take private lessons with an Arthur Murry Dance Studio, and a lifetime career.

Judi started out taking ballet and tap -- but it was disco lessons that brought her to Foster's ballroom.

"I'd drive by and see the sign and wonder what it was like," she says "He kept after me to try ballroom, but I was very resistant, said it was old-fashioned. But once I started I fell in love with it."

Her interest led to a job as office manager of the ballroom.

"We'd been friends for 10 years before we started dating," Judi says. "We were afraid of ruining our friendship." They've been married 11 years.

The delights of dance

The Lamperts are firm believers in the benefits of dance -- both social and physical.

"It's great exercise," Judi says. "And a wonderful way to meet new people. Our students become like a family, they develop deep friendships."

Chuck Morgan, a student in the intermediate class says that eight or 10 class members get together for dinner before every class.

The Lamperts also work as guest dance instructors at Scott's Oquaga Lake Resort in Deposit, N.Y., every other summer, and take as many as 40 members of their Asheville and Hendersonville classes along with them.

"We've gone three times," Locicero says. "The rates are very reasonable and cover everything -- from horseback riding to dance lessons. Judi organizes everything and makes sure everyone is very well looked after."

"We really had a ball last year," Cooper said.

In alternate years the Lamperts take a group to Europe. This summer they will be cruising in a river boat from Amsterdam to Budapest.

"We'll be stopping in all kinds of wonderful places, including Vienna," Judi says. "It'll be a great trip."

Continuing education

Once people overcome their resistance to dance lessons, they become hooked.

"We have students that have been with us for years," Foster says. "They often say they wish they'd started sooner. Some of the men are a little embarasses that they're so hooked on dancing. But I think everyone needs the challenge of learning something new and having something to look forward to."

The beginning class teaches five dances: foxtrot, swing, waltz, rumba and cha cha. The first intermediate class concentrates on just three dances: single swing, cha cha and waltz, while the second features
triple swing, rumba, polka and quickstep.

by Carolyn M. Ball

I was sitting over coffee with Foster and Judi Lampert talking about the benefits of dance. I personally had found it to be such a rewarding experience, that I rarely missed an opportunity to dance or take lessons.

Whenever I dance, people ask me why I have such a big smile on my face. "I don't know," I always answer, "I guess I just love what I'm doing." So I was excited when the Lamperts moved to Asheville, North Carolina and set up dance classes utilizing a group approach to teaching ballroom. It made lessons economically available to everyone, and it would surely help strengthen and build an already seriously committed dance community in town.

"What are some of the benefits you've seen in people's lives from attending your dance classes?" I asked.

"People seem to gain a greater interest in themselves, in taking care of themselves, such as losing weight, or developing a greater awareness of music and rhythm, or just having more fun," Foster explained. "With increased confidence, they feel more comfortable trying new things. Sometimes people are afraid to try dancing because they imagine they can't learn, so they are pleased to realize that everyone can learn to dance. We've even had professional atheletes tell us their sense of timing and coordination were greatly enhanced through dance."

"On a more psychological level," Judi added, "we see that people tend to cut back on drinking as a way to socialize; they find they don't need alcohol to 'loosen up' and feel confident. As far as the social aspects go, we have never said things like 'it's a great place to meet people,' because that's not the focus we want to promote. On the other hand, we've had numerous couples meet and marry at our studio back in Bloomington, Illinois. Dance always helps to open up a new scope of friendships and healthy relationships, for it draws nice people, ones who are interesting, fun-loving and open-minded.

"Thousands of students over our combined thirty-five years of teaching have told us that dance has changed their lives," Foster elaborated, "but you have to stick with it. Like any skill, the more you put into it, the more your ability and enjoyment increase."

"Yes," Judi added, "we love people, dance and teaching. I don't feel that I go to work; I go to fun."

by Karl Kehde

I was driving into Toledo, Ohio for the first time while on a tour to promote my book, and I didn't know a soul in town. The local newspaper mentioned a dance in a church with a twelve piece band. That sounded promising. So I bought a map and headed in that direction. The church was big with bright lights and good sounds coming from the community hall. I took a deep breath and walked in.

There, before me, were more than a hundred people who liked music, dancing, a clean environment, and a man who could dance! In almost all of the hundreds of dances I have attended around the country, there have been extra women waiting for a man to ask them to dance. Had I been married, I would have brought my wife and had a great time. I paid my seven dollars and began a very satisfying evening full of fun, conversation, making new friends and dancing.

Music with a beat has always made me want to dance. But I never followed up until three years ago when I began taking group lessons at a dance studio called Paradise Dance in Northampton, Massachusetts. Group lessons include an instructor and about a dozen men and women with similar dance knowledge working together on a specific dance. An hour lesson cost me $5 if I took enough of them each month--and I took a lot of lessons. I learned so much, so fast, about partner dancing--and about myself--that I took as many lessons as my 62 year old body could handle.

I had thought that I was too old to learn anything as complicated and physical as dancing. It was a bit of a shock when I began, but what a refreshing awakening.

My behavior around women also improved. I usually don't like small talk. But, here in this wholesome setting, the emphasis is on dancing which begins with the physical connection. That really eases conversation. Also, in group lessons dance partners change continuously; a big help in learning social and dance skills. I learned that the man's role is to lead the dance partnership, suggesting steps in a way that makes the dance an enjoyable experience for his partner. I was also nervous about looking ridiculous in front of men and women I didn't know. But they were in the same boat, and we could all look ridiculous together.

Most of us beginners stayed at it, and within one year we were reasonably accomplished in Swing dancing as well as Waltz, Texas two-step, Rumba and Cha Cha. Learning to dance also proved a relaxing and up-beat outlet for dealing with life's problems. Focusing on my partner's well being and on learning new skills helped lift me out of feeling frustrated and stuck. I also found a few married men and women, whose spouses were elsewhere, enjoying and improving their dancing--and maybe their marriages. Partner dancing was looking like a pretty healthy avocation. Yet, since men are still generally expected to lead in partner dancing, our stereotyped focus on winning can get us into trouble.

Strength and control must become balance and support in a dance partnership. Talk about two left feet, I was like a bull in a china shop. Learning the art of graceful invitation started to benefit my whole life. I was learning to redirect confrontational energy to produce harmonious, forward progress for a partnership--and do it to music, no less. The power methods that I had previously used to succeed, and which had become second nature to me, were being replaced by a better way.

When a man leads a dance partnership, he offers ideas to his partner rather than demanding specific behavior; gentle, confident guidance rather than pushing and pulling; patient and considerate support rather than criticism. Learning to dance, a man has the opportunity to learn how to create and maintain a harmonious partnership. And, at $5 a lesson surrounded by beautiful music and other men and women with similar goals, it's hard to beat. Plus, the skills are applicable at home and at work. Gracefully leading a partnership works better to increase my assets and peace of mind than winning an argument.

Because men who can dance are in short supply, I received lots of support and reassurance from my instructors and partners. Learning the dancing and leadership skills was easier than I expected because I was appreciated just for being there. Consistent encouragement made the learning almost enjoyable. And, I was feeling better and better emotionally as well as physically.

The physical nature of partner dancing makes for great exercise. Learning the leadership techniques energizes the mind, while repetitively moving through the dance steps stimulates the body through cardiovascular and muscle restoration and training. As a former Marine, I can say that partner dancing is the most pleasant and effective exercise program I have experienced. And I could exercise almost any day of the week at dances near where I live.

Dance clubs across the country are seeking more men. Country-western, Latin, swing, and ballroom lessons and dances are available. Dancing is, for men, one of the best places to learn how to lead a partnership. It's fun, you are appreciated, and it's never too late to begin. You will love it. To get started check with a friend who dances or look in the yellow pages or search the internet for ballroom or swing dancing near you. Give them a call about group lessons.

Karl Kehde is an amateur dancer who belongs to the Blue Springs USABDA chapter in Daytona, Florida. While his home address is in Northampton, Mass., he travels extensively and attends dances throughout the United States. Karl is the author of "Smarter Land Use," a conflict resolution guidebook for neighborhood groups, developers, environmental groups and planning boards. His cell phone is (908) 625-0638 and his website is www.landuse.org. You are welcome to make copies of this article and have them available at your dances.

1997 was a good year and I was a happy man. My health, marriage and finances were in good shape. My passion was golf. I was living my dream walking my favorite golf course 4 to 5 times a week. Then it happened! It didn't seem like much--it had happened before. It was December 1997, Carol's birthday month and, of course, Christmas. Many times in the previous 33 years I asked Carol to give me a clue as to what she would like for a present. Sometimes, she would be mean and give me no help at all. Other times she would give a little direction and I would venture out like an explorer into the unknown worlds of Art, Music, or some of Carol's other exotic interests. Ah, to make my wife happy and to continue to play unlimited golf, I would always persevere.

That December she looked at me, smiled and cooed, "Sidney, I want us to take
dancing lessons. We start in January. The course lasts three months but we only have to pay one month and if we don't like it, we can stop. I have looked into this and this is what I want--nothing else." My immediate response was "No, what else?" Her answer was "Nothing else." Well, I thought about it for a while and concluded that this was a good deal. It won't cost us a lot of money, there is no exotic shopping involved and how much golf do I play in January. I said "yes."

I had said "yes" in June of 1964 and knew my life was going to change forever. I didn't realize that when I said "yes" in 1997 that I was willingly surrendering my days on the fairways for evenings of ballroom dancing.

Reluctantly on a Monday night in January of 1998 I accompanied my bride to St. Mark's Church Hall in Asheville to the DanceLovers Ballroom class. The hall was full of people of all ages and sizes. A pretty lady with short hair and a big smile welcomed us at the registration table, her name was Judi. We wandered around this room full of strangers. Their faces revealed a mixture of anxiety, nervous smiles, and pure fear (like mine). A loud voice proclaimed "Everyone clear the seating area." Judi joined a big man in the center of the room. The big man said his name was Foster and that Judi and he would teach us Social Ballroom Dancing and he hoped we would all have a good time. The hour and 15 minutes flew by.

Carol and I drove home four feet off the ground. During the next few days I was in utter confusion. I enjoyed that class so much. How could I feel so good off the golf course? How could Foster and Judi move so well together? Carol loved it too. It was all we talked about. One of my favorite lines about golf was "It is the most fun a man can have with his clothes on." Was I wrong? Is there something better? Is it dancing? I could not wait to get to the next Monday night class to see if I had made a mistake. I hadn't. The Ballroom Dancing is as good as it gets! I must give a lot of credit to Foster and Judi who create an atmosphere of fun and playfullness in their classes. This combined with rotating partners really helped me to get comfortable making mistakes and then moving on to learn dance patterns without making it feel like work. Some of the dance teachers in the area do this at our USABDA monthly dances and it really contributes to my enjoyment.

Things happened quickly in 1998. I set up a TV, VCR, and a boom box in my basement to practice with the video and audio tapes from DanceLovers. After a few graduation dances and tea dances with the Lamperts, we ventured out. We found the Harvest House on Wednesday nights, the Blue Ridge Ballroom and Opportunity House on Friday nights and Sundays, and USABDA and the Starlight Ballroom dances on Saturday nights. We also joined three dinner dance clubs that meet monthly in the Hendersonville area. Before I knew it I was dancing every day except Thursday.

A metamorphosis had occured. I have played golf in rain, sleet and snow. Over a 25 year period, I had rationalizations and justifications to play golf under any circumstance. I suddenly found myself making excuses not to play golf. "It is too windy; the ground is too wet; it may shower this afternoon." The truth is that I would rather spend a little practice time on a Saturday afternoon with Carol to try a step at Greer that night then get all tired out chasing the white pellet around 18 holes and dancing tired at night.

My favorite golf partners finally confronted me with "Sidney, what is going on?" Without hesitation, I replied, "Friend, there are three good reasons why I would rather dance than play golf. One, I would rather swing a pretty lady around the floor, especially my favorite partner, Carol, than pound a golf club into the ground. Two, the weather does not prevent me from dancing, and Three, nobody's keeping score."

I am a social dancer because I love it. I enjoy watching competition dancers. I enjoy watching dance teachers do demonstrations with their especially talented students. But my real joy comes from social dancing. Dance class can be hard or easy but it is always fun. It is wonderful spending so much more time with Carol. But whether it is Carol or my favorite 83 year old lady, or any of the many neat ladies I dance with, I feel what I see. I see a sparkle in their eyes, a smile and glow on the face of someone who has left the cares and concerns of the world somewhere else--just for this dance. And, I can't help but break out in a laugh when, among the many funny things that happen in a dance class, Foster will catch my eye and say "Use the other left foot, Sid." Over the years, I have carried my worries and my physical aches and pains to the golf course and played badly. I carry them to the dance floor and they disappear. Golf is a great game; social dancing is a great life. I don't ever want to lose, "My other left foot."

The "Ballroom Two Step" is officially danced to a "Slow, Quick, Quick" (1-2, 3, 4), rhythm. It is a combination of "Smooth" and "Latin" elements. Two step has a wide frame (like Foxtrot & Waltz), but incorporates many Rumba type elements. It feels very smooth and gliding when you dance it.

The basic step is the "Side Basic" that moves from side-to-side. The man's part starts with a "Slow" gliding left side step followed by a "Quick" back crossing step with the right foot that stops the side movement and a "Quick" in place step on the left foot.. This is followed by a "Slow" gliding right side step, a "Quick" back crossing step with the left foot and a "Quick" in place step on the right foot. The lady's part is a mirror image of the man's part.

The unique element of the Two Step is the "Left Turn". It is danced in a "closed dance position" even though the pattern moves to the right. The "Left Turn" (man's part) starts with a left forward heel step followed by a right side step and a left front crossing step, then a "Slow" gliding right side step, a "Quick" back crossing step with the left foot and a "Quick" in place step on the right foot. It is important that your toes are always pointing towards your partner during this element (this causes a curving movement that makes the front crossing step feel natural). The right side step has "Rise" (like Waltz) so the left front crossing step just floats through between the two dancers. The leader has major CBM (contra body movement) during the front crossing step. The lady's part is a mirror image of the man's except she does not have the CBM body action. There is also a similar "Right Turn" but it is much harder to execute.

Rumba elements .(under arm turns, continuous turns, open breaks, side-by-side breaks, sweethearts, etc) can be incorporated in either the Side Basic or the Left Turn patterns.

One of the classic Two Step songs is "Lady in Red", however, just about any medium to slow tempo song can be danced with Two Step. You can dance Slow Waltz merely by changing the timing from Slow, Quick, Quick to 1, 2, 3 (Quick, Quick, Quick). It is an ideal dance to learn for weddings, cruses, etc. where floor space is limited. It, however, does not work very well with fast tempo music. If you learn E.C. Swing and Ballroom Two Step you can dance to almost any speed or type of music.

Reprinted with permission of Ron & Rebecca Kellen & Bogie of the Mile High Ballroom of Prescott, AZ