The Elgin Ballroom Dance Club offers lessons in ballroom dancing for beginner and intermediate-advanced dancers Thursday evenings at the Kights of Columbus located at 265 Wellington St., St. The club will runs an 8-week sessions of frequently irreverent instruction from founding instructor Ed Donkers, of Frome, ON. Ed has a great gift for getting beginners, especially men, started in dance. He also is known to be loud, make off-colour jokes about himself and use profanity. If you are easily offended, this class may not be for you, but if you have a sense of humour you will find yourself among a friendly, social group. Full payment is the only way to reserve a space. Please email elginballroom@gmail.com for more information. to 9:30 p.m. The fall session begins Oct. 19th, 2023 until Dec. 7th, 2023 and covers foxtrot, swing and cha cha. Classes consist of group instruction, some one-on-one coaching plus dancing with other members of the class. The goal of instruction is for members to learn to enjoy ballroom dancing in a social setting and have fun. This is not a path to dance competitions, Dancing With the Stars or dance certification. The Knights of Columbus is licenced. It is not uncommon for members to have a drink before or after class. There is no dress code. Dance shoes are not required, although close-toed shoes are recommended especially for beginners. Steel-toed boots have been worn by some members. (Safety first!)
Since it started in 2000, the Elgin Ballroom Dance Club has donated more than $63,000 to local charities including the St. Thomas-Elgin General Hospital, Children's Hospital of Western Ontario, Timken Centre capital campaign, Talbot Teen Centre, Christmas Care, the St. Thomas Public Library and the Autism Society of Canada.
