By Kevin Matienzo – Collegiate Staff
For those who enjoy dancing or want to get a workout, there are several places in Grand Rapids that offer these opportunities for those who like to get their groove on.
For students at GRCC, there are swing dancing nights hosted by the Raider’s Swing Club every Thursday.
“For all the guys out there, this is a good way to get the ladies,” said Clayton Haverdink, 19, a member of Raider’s Swing.
Swing nights are held from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Thursdays in the Raider Grille on the second floor of the Student Center. Raider’s Swing also offers lessons on swing dancing, line dance and even dancing for the blues.
Pietro’s Italian Restaurant, off of 28th Street on 2780 Birchcrest Dr. SE., hosts salsa nights every weekend from 10 p.m. Saturday until 2 a.m. Sunday. Admission is $8 and is for ages 21 and up.
Every Friday, Le Petit Chateau, a sports bar located on Division Ave., puts on dancing nights from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. Saturday. Salsa, merengue and bachata partner dances are popular dance styles that take place during the night. Anyone over 18 is welcome. Admission for visitors between the age of 18 and 20 is $20, and 21 and older is $10.
A ladies-only zumba class will be held at 2180 Byron Center Avenue SW. The instructor is Cecilia Cabrero, 33, of Guadalajara, Mexico. The class is taught from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. every Monday and Thursday. Women of all ages are welcome.
“Through dancing I am able to transmit my energy and passion in a positive way and inspire others to do the same,” Cabrero said.
Vy Bui, a GRCC student, 28 spends most of her weekends dancing.
“It is important for the body, mind, and spirit, but it also helps keep a person young mentally,” said Vy Bui. “No matter how old you are, dancing will keep you healthy mentally and physically.”
Kevin Curiel-Vazquez, 25, GRCC student and communications director for GRCC’s Student Alliance from Guadalajara, Mexico enjoys dancing with a partner.
“It is a great way to communicate and learn how to communicate with each other,” Curiel-Vasquez said.
So it sounds like dancing can be considered a sport since it involves constant movement of the body, and when it comes to dancing with a partner it helps to build any type of relationship. Dancing also has a high impact on your health and can help with getting into shape. As a result, dancing is an excellent form of art that can be fun and beneficial for anyone regardless of age.
