George Gouws from the Dance Excellence Studio invited me to go to there Group Social one Thursday, the Teaching Group Social. I did not know what to expect, but from the first warm up, to my unfortunately early goodbye, the dancefloor was on fire.
The evening opened with introductions, people from all over Henley show up every Thursday to develop their skill. I was greeted warmly and everyone was excited, super friendly and by the end of the evening I completely let my inhibitions go.
Then the dancing started with a line-dance, a quick warm-up. George lined up the dancers, demonstrated the foot work, made sure everyone saw, and the music started.
I was the only novice in the building, people were dancing circles around me. There were twirls, dips, and spins – Frankly, I was in awe.
Then the Waltz, which is one of the hardest dances to learn, so of course I put my camera down and stepped onto the dancefloor. George paired up the dancers, quickly demonstrated the steps to me, I fumbled and fumbled, but then I went floating around the dancefloor (I have practised the steps a few times since).
The atmosphere of the group was everything, the encouragement from the dancers is what got me on the dancefloor. There were inside jokes, more than one that I was informed ‘don’t publish that’ with a wink, and a great many laughs.
I am pleased to share George Gouws is expanding his dancing footprint in Henley on Klip. The Group Socials will still be held every Thursday evening at the Lions’ O’Connor Hall, but now he offers exclusive private lessons at the old Hound House premises. Dance Excellence announced the expansion on their Facebook 1st Sept, promising something spectacular is coming.
If you are interested in trying out Ballroom Dancing, stop by the class is fairly demanding, without being intimidating. Dance Excellence Studio offers private in person lessons, now at The Hound, and they offer a course for the Wedding 1st Dance. To contact the Studio call : 076 147 5504
I want to thank George Gouws for the invitation, letting me join the dancing, teaching me the Waltz, and the bottle of J.C Leroux. Summer is coming Henley, it’s time to get your dancing shoes on.