Ballroom dancing celebrates 11 years

LIHUE — The Kauai Ballroom Dance Club will be celebrating another successful year of ballroom dancing on Kauai with its 11th anniversary ball from 5:30 to 11 p.m. Oct. 10 at the Kauai Marriott Resort and Beach Club.

Following the buffet dinner, the program will feature general ballroom dancing as well as exhibitions from both the Kauai and Honolulu organizations.

“There will lots of time for people to enjoy general ballroom dancing throughout the night,” Glenda Tamashiro said.

This is the 11th year for the program sponsored by the County of Kauai Department of Parks and Recreation.

“Our instructors and leaders are all volunteers and through our chapters at the Hanapepe Neighborhood Center and the Lihue Neighborhood Center, we have taught hundreds of couples to improve and enjoy our weekly classes,” Alton Miyamoto said. “We also meet throughout the year, although we are on break until after the anniversary ball.”

Classes run from 7 to 9 p.m. at both the Hanapepe and Lihue locations. Hanapepe classes meet on Tuesdays and Lihue classes meet on Wednesdays.

Started in 2004, the Kauai Ballroom Dance Club was organized to provide recreational and social dancing for fun, relaxation, and exercise.

Besides being fun, dancing has many health benefits such as flexibility, strength, endurance and a sense of well-being. Studies suggest that dancing reduces stress, reduces chance of dementia, improves the conditioning of a person’s cardio vascular system and improves bone and joint health.

Tickets are $65 and includes a buffet dinner as well as an evening of general ballroom dancing, routines performances by the Hanapepe and Lihue chapters, and Honolulu performers from 808 Dance Magic and Equalize.

Tickets will not be available at the door, so those planning on attending the gala should get their tickets ahead of time through Glenda Tamashiro (335-3554), or Alton Miyamoto (338-1494).

Info: 335-3554