Ballroom dancing opportunities abound in Rossmoor

Rossmoor has many ballroom dancing opportunities, but it can be challenging for people to figure out which clubs or dances are most appropriate for them. Some dance clubs hire bands, while others use a DJ to provide the music.

Some include a dinner; others not. Some call for dressy attire; others more casual. This article explains all this as well as when and where each club meets, and whom to contact with questions.

It also addresses dance lesson opportunities within Rossmoor. With just a few dance lessons, residents will be ready to explore some of the great dancing opportunities the community has to offer. All dance clubs welcome dancers at all levels.

Ballroom dance lessons Ballroom dance lessons are offered weekly year round for all Rossmoor residents, singles and couples. These lessons are sponsored by the Sunday Dancers Club and are for anyone interested in learning more about ballroom dancing, or to add new steps and style to their repertoire. On Wednesday afternoons, from 2 to 3 p.m., Gail Enright teaches beginner-level American Smooth ballroom dances in the Diablo Room at Hillside. And from 3 to 4 p.m., she teaches at the intermediate level. The dances taught change each month. For more information, contact Enright at gailenright@comcast. net or 1-925-284-1003 or look for her regular articles in the Rossmoor News.

Fireside Dinner Dance Club

This club meets from 6 to 9:30 p.m. on the first Friday of every even month, such as February and April, in the Fireside Room at Gateway Complex. These dances are for couples only; a couple can be any two people who enjoy spending an evening together.

There is a social hour, followed by a three-course plated dinner and a live band. Attire is “dressy with coats and ties for men and cocktail dresses or stylish pants ensembles for women.” The contact person is President Peter Poulsen at 1-925-216-4145. Penguin Dinner Dance Club This club meets from 6 to 9:30 p.m. on the second Saturday of every odd month, such as January and March, in the Fireside Room at Gateway Complex. These dances are for couples only; a couple can be any two people who enjoy spending an evening together. There is a social hour, followed by a three-course plated dinner and a live band. Attire is “dark suit or tuxedo for men, gowns, cocktail dresses or dressy pant ensembles for women.” Visit its website at https://tinyurl. com/RossPenguin or contact Membership Chair Dorothy Williams at dorothyrbdc@gmail.com for more information.

Rossmoor Ballroom

Dance Club This club meets from 7 to 10 p.m. on the third Saturday of every month at the Event Center. These dances are for couples only; a couple can be any two people who enjoy spending an evening together. There is a live band. No meal is provided. Attire is “elegant-smart.

Although coats and ties and cocktail dresses are always encouraged and admired, they are not required. Smart and elegant includes collared shirts and trousers for the guys and dresses and pants ensembles for the ladies.” Visit its website at https://tinyurl.com/RMBRDancers or contact President Roxanne Stallings at 1-510-599-3613 for more information.

Social Dance Club The club holds weekly dances every Tuesday afternoon from 4:30 to 6 p.m. in the Diablo Room at Hillside Complex. Recorded music is played by a rotation of volunteer DJs. No meal is provided. Singles and couples are welcome; attire is smart casual. For more information, contact President Dave Kosters at 1-925-788-6991. Sunday Dancers This club dances at the Event Center from 7 to 10 p.m. on the fourth Sunday from January through November, as well as the third Wednesday of December. Music is provided by DJ Colin Dickie. Light snacks and bottled water are provided. Singles and couples are welcome. Attire is dressy casual. No jeans, T-shirts, workout clothes or other casual attire. Send an email to SundayDancersMembership @gmail.com for more information.

TGIF This club meets the third Friday of every month (except September and January) at the Event Center from 6 to 9:30 p.m. Singles and couples are welcome. There is a social hour followed by a threecourse plated dinner, with a live band for all dance styles. There is a different theme each month, with commensurate attire. Contact Elaine Thompson at 1-925-389-8668 or thompsonlaine@sbcglobal. net for more information. Note that this club isn’t exclusively ballroom; the bands play a variety of music to accommodate many dance styles.

Ballroom dancing is a wonderful social activity, a great opportunity to meet others who enjoy dancing, and a great way to stay physically and mentally active.