Detalles

Community: Sanctuary

Dance the Night Away with Rick Archer's Social Dance Lessons at Chapelwood

A variety of Country Western/Ballroom Lessons taught by Rick Archer, former owner of SSQQ Dance Studio

 7:00-8:30 p.m. on Monday nights

Room YB 100-101 at Chapelwood 

Chapelwood has sponsored a successful Social Dance class on campus since 2010.   At that time, more than 10 years ago, Chapelwood decided they would like to have someone teach dance lessons at the church.  They contacted dance teacher Rick Archer, he graciously said "yes," and the rest is history!  Over the past 12 years, we have learned how to partner dance in social situations such as weddings, rodeo events, and visits to nightclubs.  During the instruction, we emphasize enjoying friendship in a relaxed, laughter-filled atmosphere.  

 Starting at 7:00 p.m. every Monday,  the class is taught by Rick Archer, former owner of Houston's SSQQ Dance Studio.  In its day, SSQQ was simultaneously the largest independent dance studio in Houston and the United States as well.  Each week 1,400 students walked through the doors in search of dance training, exercise, fun and friendship. 

 Following his retirement from full-time teaching in 2010, Rick brought a similar magic to Chapelwood.  Thanks to the assistance of Harriet Daniell and a team of experienced assistants, this ongoing class covers a wide range of different dances.  With the featured dance changing from month to month, the class covers Western, Ballroom, Swing and Latin dance patterns.  Past topics include Two Step, Polka, Western Swing, East Coast Swing/Jitterbug, West Coast Swing, Night Club Two Step, Western Waltz, Rumba, Foxtrot, Cha-Cha, and Salsa.  If a particular dance is popular with the current group, typically an Intermediate level is added in the following month.

 Rather than dictate what's next, Rick prefers to let his students tell him what they want him to cover from month to month.  While on the surface the class is about learning the fine art of partner dancing, the class is secretly more about Community.  It does not matter whether someone is single or married.  Come one, come all. 

 This ongoing class consists of veteran dancers and newcomers.  There are students in this class who have been taking non-stop for many years due to the camaraderie and mutual love of dance.  To accommodate the newcomers, we offer Beginning-level classes four to six times a year, then advance the class over the next few months.  We encourage our students to rotate partners.  This allows the Volunteer Staff to offer suggestions along the way.  In addition, changing partners gives the students a chance to get to know each other and make friends.  

 Rick's class runs till 8:30, sometimes later, with a break in between.  The age range starts with college students and extends to Seniors.  As long as a person wishes to learn, age does not matter.  Class size varies from month to month, but over the years it has stayed within the 20-40 range.  In this time, the boy-girl ratio has remained remarkably close.  Thanks to our volunteer staff to even things up, it is rare for someone to stand out for more than one rotation. 

The dance class typically meets in Room YB 100-101.   However, Chapelwood is a busy church, so periodically the class may meet in another room on a temporary basis.  If there is a last-minute change, Rick and Harriet will use email to offer updates.  We also use email to inform past and present students of our upcoming classes.

 If you have questions or need more information, please contact Rick Archer, [email protected], or Harriet, [email protected]