Dance is Movement that makes Music Come to Life

Collette Kowald joined the Social Dancing Group some eight years ago in 2014. She was initially encouraged to attend by her thoughtful neighbour Bronwyn who rightly thought Collette needed some social aspect in her life.

Collette who is now the secretary of the group talks enthusiastically about the benefits the dance group has brought to her life.

“The first time I attended a dance practice night I was a reluctant attendee, really, I had to be coaxed in to coming along on that first night. I was thinking I would make such a fool of myself, mostly because I had never in my life had any dance lessons.

“However, I was tutored well and my endeavours were encouraged, then with lots of practice over the next few months I found I was becoming very proficient.

“I didn’t attend my first dance for almost twelve months, I felt I needed more practice, basically because I’m a bit of a perfectionist. But when I did attend a dance night it was wonderful, and I wondered why I didn’t have the courage to do it sooner.

“On the dance group’s regular dance night, the dress code is smart casual, but then when I attended the formal ball and then the dinner dance, I found I was delighted with the need to dress up for the night. The whole picture comes to life, hair, makeup and a beautiful ball gown. Our formal balls always have a colour theme which makes it all that much more exhilarating and spectacular on the night.

“All that is said about the benefits you derive from joining a dancing group came true for me.

“Dancing certainly keeps you fit in a fun and enjoyable way, learning new dance steps and focusing on the dance movement is mentally invigorating and the social aspect has made a huge difference to my life.

“Friendships are not only made locally, they are also made throughout the region. From Pemberton, Manjimup, Bridgetown Uduc and Dardunup, in fact any town which has a hall that is used for dances.

“We also welcome interstate travellers to our dances as well as those who might be visiting the region from the city.”

The Social Dancing Group meets in Bridgetown every Monday night, except for public holidays at the Uniting Church Hall in Roe Street, from 6:30pm to 8:30pm for dance practice.

The dances practiced are in the ‘ballroom’ style but come with a modern-day flare, Tango, Waltz, Rhumba and Jive are some of the dances taught.

The Group is looking for new members of any age, all are welcome, you don’t need to have a partner, and you don’t have to have any dance experience to attend.

The dance practice is held in such a way that everyone gets to dance with one another. The dances are conducted as a circular dance, with the females progressing after each dance to the next partner.

In this way you get to dance with the experts as well as those who are still mastering the steps.

“Trish Martin and Mick Blatch are the instructors at the Monday night’s practice sessions, they both have a wonderfully encouraging way of demonstrating the dance steps which are to be performed during the practice dance.

“You won’t be a dance expert after only a few lessons, but if you stick with the dance practices, you will find dancing is such a rewarding pastime.

“The dancing group is very welcoming. One of my worst fears was never realised, no one laughed at me with my awkward first attempts at learning to dance, but they may laugh with you, if you turn the wrong way or perform the wrong steps. We are all there to have fun as well as to learn or refresh.

“The younger dancers have such suppleness in their body movements that when they dance, it brings a whole new grace to the dance floor.

“Once new members have settled in it’s found they bring a refreshing enthusiasm along with themselves, and they find it’s easy to enjoy formal dances, having that chance to dress up and to express yourself differently, you are totally in another world for a while.

“Music is my thinking rock, and dance is movement that makes music come to life. These are the saying I rejoice in.” Collette reflected.

Even though we tend to be very comfortable in our homes these days, and yes, we are all living busier lives, human beings fare better with some social interaction.

Currently with no Covid-19 restriction requirements at the dances and the practices nights, there has never been a better time to resume or take up dancing as a pastime.

For further information or enquiries, you can call Tony on 0427 643 638, Collette on 0417 174 294 or Trish on 9761 1946.