Dancing the Night Away in Sharbot Lake

Mar 08, 2017

About a month ago, Roseanna Redmond got the idea that it might be fun to get some couples together for a bit of ballroom dancing.

Ken Fisher thought that was a good idea and “I put the wheels under it.”

But they kind of needed an instructor.

No problem. They recruited Tim White, who many might remember as The Music Man in North Frontenac Little Theatre’s production and/or his choreography in several other productions. White brought along Gillian Hofmann, another NFLT alumnus as his partner and co-instructor.

White would seem to be the natural choice to guide this group. His resume as a dancer/choreographer/teacher/actor/etc is a long one which began in St. John’s, Nfld, when he was 19 and includes a stint (1985-1988) at the Royal Winnipeg Ballet as a student and teacher. There’s also been aerobics, yoga and Pilates in there.

“I’ve done a lot of ballet and jazz,” he said. “I even did opera.

“(But) contemporary modern dance is my forte.”

But it seems ballroom dance comes quite naturally as well.

“We’ll be learning forms tonight,” he said. “Secondary moves, steps, how they transition, rhythmics, and promenades.”

In the eight-week course, participants will be going through the slow waltz, both contemporary and traditional, smooth jazz, and the nightclub two-step.

“We may even get to the tango at the end of the session,” he said.

Fisher said the spots for 17 couples filled up quite quickly and unfortunately they can’t accommodate any more for this session.

However, given the initial interest, it’s possible things could continue after this course is done.

“It may become a monthly event,” Fisher said. “Perhaps in the afternoon.

“It’s a great winter/spring activity.”