Local Dance Events
If you choose to become a Latin or ballroom dancer, you will be introduced to a very graceful form of artful movements. The man leads and the woman follows. Any mistakes on the floor are respectfully and playfully covered with a gentle smile. The man takes responsibility that the woman did not understand his lead if there is any confusion, but the dance goes on just as life does. There are no mistakes that stop the flow around the room, and no one knows except the partners what is happening between them. It is an emotionally safe place to be.
Because we can think of nothing other than dancing, there is a bit of heaven that we seem to experience as we dance to the rhythm of the music. Dressing up is also a lost art and is rekindled at the dances. Many dances have themes, but each invitation gives instruction about how to dress.
Also, science has proven that dancing makes you happy. For more on that, see: https://psychology-spot.com/dancing-makes-me-happy/.
To see the various attire that my dance partner and I have worn,
click here for a slide show.
To see upcoming dance activities, go to my Facebook page: CharlestonWVDance.
The easiest way to find upcoming local dance events is to log into your Facebook account and search for Charleston WV Dance. I post regularly about all the dance opportunities I am aware of in our region. If you "like" my page, you will be notified when I post new events. You can use Facebook Messenger for Charleston WV Dance as a private way to ask me questions and get information on how you can attend events as our guest.
Here is a general overview of the schedules of the ballroom and Latin dance clubs in the area. If you are interested in attending one of these dances, click here to email me for specific information, including costs and reservation deadlines. In addition to these regularly scheduled dances, I often know of other dance opportunities in the area, which I post on the Charleston WV Dance Facebook page. The link is at the bottom of this page.
ACADEMY DANCE CLUB holds four dances per year. Usually they are scheduled on the third Saturday in February, April and October and the second Sunday in December, generally at Edgewood Country Club. The Academy Dance Club also has a summer picnic for members only usually in July or August. The dances traditionally have live music and include a meal. Dress is usually formal, but occasionally semi-formal. Non-members may attend as invited guests of members.
CQ (COTILLION-QUADRILLE) DANCE CLUB holds four dances per year, always at Berry Hills Country Club. They usually are on the fourth Saturday in March, fourth Sunday in June, and first Sundays in October and December. The dances always have live music and include a meal. Dress varies from formal to semi-formal to dressy casual. Non-members may attend as guests.
LATIN DANCE CLUB began as an all Latin dance club but now the mix of music is about 60% Latin and 40% Ballroom. The club holds four dances per year, always at Berry Hills Country Club. They usually are scheduled on the fourth Sunday in September, third Sunday in December, fourth Saturday in February, and first Sunday in May. Music is provided by DJs or musicians. Dances always include a meal. The dress varies but is usually either formal or semi-formal. Non-members may attend as guests.
PASSEPIED CLUB holds nine dances each year, usually on the second Friday or Saturday, but sometimes on the third Friday or Saturday, September through June (except December). Most dances are now held at the Woman's Club of Charleston. Music is provided either by DJs or musicians. Dances include light snacks or heavy hors d’oeuvres. Dress varies from formal to semi-formal to dressy casual. Non-members may attend as guests.
SPEAKEASY SINGLES is not solely a dance club, but it holds monthly dances that welcome experienced and non-experienced dancers alike. The dances generally are held on the second Saturday of the month from 8:00 to 11:00 p.m., often with a dance lesson from 7:00 to 8:00. Locations vary. Music is provided by DJs. Attire is usually dressy casual, although some dances have suggested themes.
UNIVERSITY CLUB holds five dances per year. The current schedule is for the a Saturday in August, fourth Saturday in October, third Saturday in March and second Saturday in June plus New Year’s Eve. Music is provided either by DJs or musicians. Dances include a meal or heavy hors d’oeuvres. Dress varies from dressy casual to semi-formal to formal. Non-members may attend as guests.
CHARLESTON SALSA CLUB holds Salsa Night on some Thursdays on the second floor of Vino's Bar & Grill, 812 Kanawha Boulevard, East. A free salsa lesson is offered about 8:45 or 9:00 p.m. followed by open dancing.
CHARLESTON AREA SHAG SOCIETY meets on most Fridays from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. at Mountain Pie Company on the River, 5930 MacCorkle Avenue, St. Albans. Many times, a lesson is offered at 6:30.
WEST COAST SWING meets at Center Stage at 965 Dunbar Village Plaza in Dunbar on Wednesdays with a free lesson at 6:00 p.m. followed by open dancing from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
COME DANCING CHARLESTON meets at University of Charleston.
NINA SURBAUGH meets with students at Academy of the Arts on Tennessee Avenue in Charleston.
The Marmet Recreation Center (formerly the George Buckley Center), 8515 MacCorkle Avenue, Marmet, WV 25315, holds dances each Saturday evening 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. The cost is $10.00 per person. For information on the dances or which bands are scheduled to play, contact the Parks and Recreation director.
In the Huntington area, Dick Newman holds dances usually on the third Friday of the month from 6;30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Barboursville Community Center, 721 Central Avenue in Barboursville. He DJs the music. The attire is dressy casual. For more information, email him at dnbl@msn.com.
Also in the Huntington area, Top Hat Ballroom holds monthly dances, usually but not always on the fourth Saturday of the month, at Trinity Episcopal Church, 520 Eleventh Street, Huntington. Each dance begins with a lesson. The cost is $10 per person.
Another regular dance in the Huntington area is the American Legion Dance on the first Thursday of each month from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the American Legion Post 177 ballroom, 6024 U.S. Route 60, East, Barboursville. The cost is $8.00 per person or $15.00 per couple. For more information, contact: Mike Beck at 304-942-1969.