TV shows renew interest in ballroom dancing

The popularity of TV shows like "Dancing with the Stars" and "So You Think You Can Dance" have renewed interest in ballroom dancing.

"Because of the image of athletes on 'Dancing with the Stars,' my classes have had more men than women and more boys than girls," said Larry Ward.

Ward taught dance in schools in Los Angeles and Orange County before recently moving to the Gardnerville Ranchos. His classes in square dancing and ballroom dancing for teens and adults begin tomorrow at Pinkerton Dance Academy.

The ballroom dances taught are swing, cha-cha, fox trot, waltz and tango, with salsa dancing lessons taught in the adult class. The classes are paid for at the door of each session.

The ballroom dances are taught to modern music, similar to what is played on the television dancing shows, and square dancing is taught to modern country music.

Ward learned square dancing in school and became a caller as a 12-year-old. In his 55 years of dancing, he learned ballroom dancing, worked at movie studios and helped form the B-Sharps square dancing group " still active after 50 years.

Ward said to wear flat shoes to dance class and that dress is casual " there's no need to wear full skirts and petticoats for square dancing.

He said people want to learn how to dance at family weddings and at quinceaneros celebrations.

"There's a big need for knowing how to dance these days," said Ward.

For information on private dancing lessons for wedding parties or about ballroom and square dancing classes, call Ward at 297-5618.