Greenwich Dance has just embarked on a trial run of three themed tea dances. While Tea Dances have been held every Saturday in the Borough Hall for decades, they have become increasingly popular with younger attendees, and so GDA have responded with a set programme of themed events, with live music, decorations and refreshments to match.
Last Saturday (28th January) was the Stars and Stripes Tea Dance; a homage to all things vintage America. Against the background of the swingin’ retro band Kai’s Cats, in the bunting-bestrewn hall, and fuelled by tea and slabs of cheesecake and banoffee pie, couples of all ages enjoyed an afternoon whizzing around the dance floor and socialising with friends.
The live band and gentle chatter created a vibrant atmosphere, and the music encouraged ballroom, jive, latin and sequence, and was also accessible and kind to other, less refined, moves. There was an excellent mix of dancers, from the old faithfuls who have been regulars over decades, to the instructors and students of GDA and a range interested people of all ages and backgrounds. All were made to feel instantly welcome, with enthusiastic amateurs encouraged (and occasionally assisted) by those who knew what they were doing. I was whisked off my feet by a very brave (and exceptionally tolerant) chap, and I greatly enjoyed his attempts to teach me to waltz, to entertaining results.
I found it especially wonderful to watch as the older couples gently twirled each other around the dance floor with effortless ease, much in the same way they would have done when they first met fifty years before. It was beautifully touching and made me wonder what I’ll be doing at their age. Learning to dance in a romantic and dignified way is most definitely a worthwhile skill I will be pursuing!
All in all, this was a wonderfully interesting way to spend a Saturday afternoon. My friends and I thoroughly enjoyed ourselves, as did everyone else we saw and met, and we are all looking forward to the next one with much anticipation.
The next Tea Dance will be on Saturday 3rd March, 2pm to 4:30pm, themed ‘Strictly Ballroom: A chance to step out in style’, with ‘The Vintage Years: A celebration of the 1920s, 30s and 40s’ following on 21st April.
T: 020 8293 9741
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Stephanie Jenner
Stephanie is a culture-seeker with an insatiable curiosity, too many dresses, and aspirations to ignite enthusiasm and appreciation in the vast diversity of the arts. She also tries to include cake in every adventure.
2 comments
David Leigh says:
Feb 22, 2012
Hello
Speaking on behalf of many of our young (elderly)!? friends I would like to say that following the Stars and Stripes tea dance there is great concern that the lovely tea dances we have enjoyed for so many years at GDA are coming to an end.
Indeed some of our friends are so worried that they are already looking elsewhere as to where they can go instead which is a great shame.
We all love dancing and particularly ballroom,latin and SEQUENCE (which was non existent in the Stars and Stripes tea dance despite info we were given that such dances would still be included.
Could you please tell us what the future of the GDA tea dances will be and particularly whether sequence dances will still be included.
Looking forward to the Strictly Ballroom tea dance in March but will hope that there will be some sequence included in that one also.
Thank you for your attention.
Lorna Hirst says:
Feb 28, 2012
Greenwich Dance introduced a new band and different themes for three Tea Dances this season to enhance the regular format, in response to previous comments we received. We value all our regular Tea Dance attenders but we also wanted to try and attract some new people, as we want our social dances to be enjoyed by as many people as possible. This is only a trial, and we are collecting feedback before we plan the next season.
We have taken on board all the comments from the Stars and Stripes Tea Dance, and there will be more ballroom, latin and sequence dances at the next event on 3 March, as well as an MC to announce each dance.
We hope you and your friends will continue to enjoy our Tea Dances, and we appreciate your feedback so we can continue to improve them.
Best Wishes,
Lorna from Greenwich Dance