Press Release 
 
Contact:     Paul Fuhrmeister
  Dance Plattsburgh
Phone: (518)380-1155
Email: Paul@DancePlattsburgh.org
 

Swing, Latin and Ballroom Dance Community Growing in Plattsburgh

Dance Plattsburgh announces expanded events and lessons for 2018 after a wildly successful fall opening season

Plattsburgh, New York, March 5, 2018: A dedicated group of local social dance enthusiasts formed a USA Dance chapter and are expanding their free and low-cost dance lessons and open dancing events this spring. The effort to bring organized and accessible social and ballroom dance lessons to Plattsburgh began last fall with a series of free monthly events providing formal dance instruction for beginners. “We were pleasantly overwhelmed by the response to our events,” commented Dance Plattsburgh organizer Paul Fuhrmeister. Due to the impressive amount of public interest, Dance Plattsburgh organizers have expanded the format of their monthly dances to include both beginner and intermediate dance lessons and started a new series of weekly dances.

Weekly social dancing: In partnership with the City of Plattsburgh, Dance Plattsburgh now offers free weekly social dancing on Monday evenings. “The 'Every Monday' dances are designed to give both beginning and intermediate dancers the opportunity to practice the dances they learn at the monthly lessons,” explained Fuhrmeister. Monday evening dances are free of charge, open to the public, and held at the City of Plattsburgh Recreation Center from 6:30 – 8:30 pm (Federal holidays excluded). There are no lessons provided on Mondays, but experienced dancers from Dance Plattsburgh help dancers improve their skills.

Monthly dances featuring beginner and intermediate lessons: Dance Plattsburgh’s “Second Saturday” monthly dance series continues this spring with a new location, a new format, and a new start time. Starting April 14, 2018, these events will take place on the second Saturday of each month in the City Recreation Center gymnasium at 6:00 PM. To help offset the cost of music, venue, lessons, and food there is a $10 per person entrance fee for Second Saturday events. Beginner dancers are encouraged to attend the one-hour instructor-led lesson at 7:00 PM. Beginner lessons are designed for people who have never danced, who are getting back into dancing, or who want to strengthen their basic skills.

Now that the dance community in Plattsburgh is blossoming, Dance Plattsburgh is working to advance the abilities of individual dancers by offering a second intermediate-level dance lesson at the Second Saturday dances. Intermediate lessons are 30 minutes in length and begin at 6:30 PM. These lessons will expand upon the dance steps taught during the prior month. With the introduction of this new format beginning April 14, 2018, a new dancer can attend a beginning dance lesson to learn a dance one month, continue to practice during the free weekly Monday dance nights, and then advance even further with an intermediate lesson on the same dance the next month. "People in the Plattsburgh area can become a ‘beyond beginner’ dancer for just $10 per month, or just $8 for members of our USA Dance organization,” added Fuhrmeister. All Dance Plattsburgh events are open to the public and attract a wide variety of dancers of all ages and abilities.

No dance experience is necessary, and no dance partner is necessary. Single dancers are welcome, as there are dancers of all ages and abilities available for partnering. Singles "rotate partners", so they meet and dance with many new people at our events. “Dancing is a great way to meet and get to know new people in a safe, fun and healthy environment,” added Fuhrmeister.

After dance lessons conclude, the music continues while participants dance, practice dance steps, socialize with one another, and enjoy the refreshments provided until the event ends at 10:00 P.M. The 2018 season lesson schedule includes a rotation of six different dances: East Coast Swing, Waltz, Cha Cha, Foxtrot, Rumba, and Tango.

Dance Plattsburgh is USA Dance, Inc., Dance Plattsburgh NY Chapter #3068. USA Dance, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization providing dance education and opportunities in local communities by organizing affordable dances, dance lessons and workshops. Dance Plattsburgh is working to establish and develop the social dance community in Plattsburgh by providing on-going dance lessons and dances.

For more information visit the Dance Plattsburgh web site at http://www.danceplattsburgh.org. Call or email Paul Fuhrmeister at (518) 380-1155 and Paul@DancePlattsburgh.org for follow up interviews for features in local and regional publications.