Dance Cafe' - Dance in Kelowna - part 1

(published in Sept/07 OA Magazine uneditted copy)

Structured partner dance is the runaway success of recent television series and movies. Awareness is widening with the dedication of dancers to a wonderful sport & art form in the exciting process of growth. Media has recognized a very good thing!

Ballroom, Latin & Jive, with Hustle & Westcoast Swing among others significantly boost social dance repertoire. Many can be and are, danced to popular music.

Diane Pratt and Warren Eaton >>>>>>>

Energizing physically & mentally, dance generates and imparts energy. Expression through dance is naturally & culturally inherent. Dance elevates mood; anyone who dances knows the magic of moving synchronistically to music.

Volta, my art & dance oriented café on the edge of Kelowna's Cultural District supplied quality dance shoes to BC dancers. People are incredulous that dance even exists in Kelowna. Barely in the door of the shop, faces would fill with quizzical delight - "...there's dance in Kelowna?! People really dance in these shoes? Where do you dance?"

I quickly realized the gap in awareness and thrilled at stepping into the role of connecting locals and visitors to instructors, dances and groups. I also recognized the huge potential benefit of one to the other.

The awareness process is truly inspiring. A young lady in her teens always sat near the elegant dance shoes at Volta chatting, while sharing a pot of tea. Her admiration over the display on the glass shelves unmistakably revealed that she was dreaming herself in those shoes. After three years she disclosed the dream. I delighted in the excitement of fitting her first ballroom dance shoes. On the counter she purposefully laid one over the next, the bills she'd saved; then promptly joined Warren Eaton's salsa classes!

Deborah Pearce Interior Design Kelowna Home Staging www.living-spaces-design.com

SHARON SEBO Argentine Tango in Kelowna www.tangokelowna.com

Warren Eaton Latin in Kelowna www.latinesque.com

Diane Pratt and Let's Dance Club 862-8063

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