Applying for financial aid can be so time-consuming and confusing that some parents feel as though they need an advanced degree to fill out the forms.Fort Wayne Dance for All doesn’t just offer lessons in traditional line dancing.
Adventurous students can also enjoy funky, edgy kind of dancing.
The kind that’s a little less George Strait and a little more Britney Spears.
“Now hip, hip, hip and shake your booty,” dance instructor John Robinson told a group of 50 students Sunday at Grand Wayne Center as they danced to a remixed country song called “I’m So Sexxy.”
Hips of all ages moved to the beat, though sometimes in the wrong direction.
Robinson led one of more than 100 dance workshops, held Thursday through Sunday, at Fort Wayne Dance For All, formerly known as Fort Wayne Showdown.
Dance for All director Jamie Marshall said about 600 eager-to-learn dancers from across the country showed up for the four-day event.
Dances included country line dancing, the waltz, the tango and West Coast swing.
Dance for All, now in its 15th year, featured a comedy show, open dance time and performances by two country singers.
All ages, ambitions
Classes were open to dancers of all ages, ambitions and skill level.
Jaclyn Daugherty, 46, a veteran country line dancer, took Robinson’s country line dancing class because she thought it would be “funky and fun.”
“It’s my first time here, and I’ve had a long weekend,” said Daugherty, who had no problems moving her hips but struggled with something called “the body roll.”
“But I’ve had a lot of fun. It’s great to be learning new dances with so many people.”
Although some like Daugherty were new to the event, others were making their 10th, 11th or even 15th appearance.
“I love music and I love to dance,” said Rosemary Fleenor, 87, whose been attending the dance event for so long she says she’s “lost count.”
Fleenor line dances four times a week and says the key to becoming a good dancer is being limber and having good coordination.
Robinson, the dance instructor, says it’s practice.
“Work your hips like you mean it! I want you to work it!” he told his students Sunday as the lyrics “I don’t need a pirate, so don’t try to Johnny Depp me,” blared.
“Are we getting it? Let’s try it again. I just don’t think I can watch.”
