Ballroom Dance Class For All Ages Starting This Week In Radnor

RADNOR TOWNSHIP, PA — Radnor area residents are invited to sign up for a six-week dancing residency and learn American, Latin and European social dance in an intergenerational classroom.

Starting March 11, the Radnor Memorial Library will host the virtual ballroom dance residency led by Dancing Classrooms Philly (DCP). There is no cost to participate.

"The program will bring multi-generations together in a fun activity, helping them to connect socially and emotionally, while also creating a sense of community for the greater Radnor community," said Swati Chaturvedi, Program Director, Dancing Classrooms Philly.

DCP’s dance residency is usually offered in a school setting for fifth- through eighth-grade students; however, DCP is using this new virtual environment to innovate and partner with community organizations so that even more members of the Philadelphia-area community can take advantage of the social and emotional benefits of dance, Chaturvedi explained.

The 6-week dance residency will run on Thursday evenings from 6-6:45 p.m. from March 11-April 15 at the Radnor Memorial Library. The residency marks DCP’s first-ever intergenerational dance residency, and each week will cover a different style of American, Latin, and European social dance.

"These accessible dances allow all participants to be successful regardless of experience or skill level while providing important physical activity during these times when many of us are more sedentary than usual," said Chaturvedi.

With most opportunities for in-person partner dancing still out of reach due to the pandemic, this virtual residency will give families the opportunity to dance together with those in their immediate household. It can also build a sense of community and shared space with fellow Radnor, Mainline, and Delaware County residents, and create an occasion to learn about world cultures through social dance, a Radnor Library news release said.

Among the social dance styles taught will be Merengue, Foxtrot, Rumba, Tango, Swing, and Waltz.

Rhonda Moore, the DCP Teaching Artist who will be leading the program, said, "One thing the pandemic brings to the forefront is the way each one of us views our relationship with the world-at-large, with those in our closer work and social communities, and especially with our immediate families. The current circumstances present a wonderful opportunity to spend time together in ways beneficial to all those involved."

Radnor Memorial Library said its mission is to provide programs, collections, space, and other resources that enhance the quality of life for the entire community.

"At the Radnor Library, one of our highest aims is to provide programs that surprise and delight the community, which has been challenging during this season of virtual experiences," said Carrie Sturgill, Head of Youth Services at the Radnor Memorial Library.

"What could be more delightful and surprising than taking a series of ballroom dance lessons with your daughter or son or grandparent, and enjoying it from your own living room, and for free? The library is so much more than books. We strive to help people engage with others through social and cultural discovery, and we're excited to partner with Dancing Classrooms Philly to be able to offer this program to our families and give them the opportunity to move, learn, grow, and feel connected through dance," Sturgill said.

With most opportunities for in-person partner dancing still out of reach due to the pandemic, this virtual residency gives families the opportunity to dance together with those in their immediate household.

Online registration is available here.

Make sure you know what's happening in your town. Sign up to get Patch emails and don't miss any local news: https://patch.com/subscribe.