Dancing by Jackie swings into spring
by ELIZABETH TAUFA Reporter

Kevin James and Arlene Sallaz are students of Jackie George's. They meet at the Brounshidle Post on Delaware Avenue in Kenmore for ballroom dancing instruction.

Since 1984, Amherst resident Jackie George has been teaching ballroom dancing.

"In the '70s and '80s I was going to dances, and people kept coming up to me and asking where my studio was," she said. "I always loved to dance."

After becoming a dance instructor under the tutelage of John Lawrence, she began teaching lessons to couples and individuals in a rented room in a church.

"One day I got 36 people and just cried," she said. "Then I came here and asked if I could rent the hall."

"Here" is the Brounshidle Post, located at 3354 Delaware Ave., Kenmore, where George teaches classes twice a week and holds monthly theme dances.

"I used to dance here every Thursday in the '70s and '80s," she said.

George teaches American social ballroom dances, which she noted can be enjoyed in venues anywhere, from weddings to cruises to lounges.

She also teaches the smooth dances, which include foxtrot, waltz and tango, and Latin dances, which include the cha-cha, mambo, merengue, samba, salsa, bolero - a form of the rhumba, and swing dancing.

She noted that her favorite dance to teach is the tango.

George accepts all levels of dancers and accepts both couples and individuals.

"No partner is required," she said.

In recent years, more and more studios and individuals have begun teaching ballroom lessons to the public, but George said she has the experience and passion to attract dancers.

"I'm adept at what I do," she said. "I have 23 years experience, and I've had very good training."

In addition to her classes at the post, George has also been a regular teacher at the Keenan Center in Lockport since 1990. Her 10-week sessions at the center take place in fall, winter and spring.

"Most of my couples there are more middle-aged," she said, noting that the Keenan Center dancing group started with 14 to 16 people and has grown to more than 40 people.

Once a month, George hosts a themed dance featuring a one-hour lesson prior to the beginning of the dance. She alternates between three bands, including Tony Krew, Toots Dintino and Ron Parnella.

The theme for April's dance will be "Swing into Spring," and the lesson will begin at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 17 at the Brounshidle Post. The music will be provided by Toots Dintino.

The cost for the dance is $7 and includes entry for door prizes, snacks and the lesson.

George will be teaching around the area, in addition to her theme dance and her weekly lessons. These include:

+ March 30, tango lessons at 7:30 p.m., with a dance at 8:30 p.m., as part of the Western New York USA DanceSport at the First Presbyterian Church, 2085 Union Road, West Seneca. Admission is $6 for members and $10 for guests.

+ April 22, lessons at 6 p.m. prior to The Players Club spring dance at the Hearthstone Manor, 333 Dick Road, Depew. Tickets cost $7 at the door and $5 advanced sale by George.

For more information, call 691-8654.

e-mail: etaufa@beenews.com