Dance Classes:
Dancing is good for the body and mind. Ballroom dancing is one of the best ways to prevent dementia – a scientific fact! Being social increases longevity. And, it’s just plain fun, fun, fun.
Here’s the daily class line-up outline:
See more details under “classes” tab, above.
Mondays, 7-9: International Folk Dancing with Carlos at The Dance Castle, on-going. Free class
7 – 8 p.m.: Beginning Folk Dancing
8 – 9 p.m.: Intermediate Folk Dancing
Dance experience is not necessary. All ages and levels are welcome! The dances are so much fun and the group loves newbies! For questions, call Carlos at (209) 743-1109.
Tuesdays: Salsa at REVIVE COFFEE with Erika & Tom, on-going
Note: No classes from October 13 – November 17, 2026
6:15: Beginning Salsa
7:15: Intermediate Beginner
8 – 9 p.m.: Salsa Dance Party
more details, below
Wednesdays:
NEW CLASS STARTING OCTOBER 28th!
4 Wednesdays, October 28 – November 18, at The Dance Castle with Ilene
6 p.m.: Intermediate Level Waltz: We will be working on open footwork, rise & fall, and sway elements of waltz with some new, flowing patterns. Knowing the basic box step will be helpful, but not necessary.
$10/person/class
7 p.m.: Intermediate Level East Coast Swing: This 4 week class will cover more difficult patterns, tuck turns and triple rhythm swing. Past swing experience is recommended.
$10/person/class
Registration not required; just show up to the classes to have big fun!
Please Note: Kayla’s Wednesday class has been canceled due to her new job work schedule. So sorry; let’s hope for another time with Kayla.
I’m excited to announce that on October 28th we’ll be starting a West Coast Swing class on Wednesday nights at 6:30 PM with instructor Kayla Northington!
Thursdays:
tba
For MORE Salsa with Erika & Tom . . .
Salsa Tuesdays at Revive in Downtown Sonora.
Note: No classes from October 13 – November 17, 2026
6:15 p.m.: Beginning – For people who are new at salsa dancing and are still learning the basic steps.
7:15 p.m.: Intermediate Beginner – For people who know the basic by heart, know the basic patterns and have been doing salsa for a while. (not for brand new beginners)
8 – 9 p.m.: Salsa Dance Party! Stay, dance and socialize!
Revive is located at 81 S. Washington Street, downtown Sonora
NOTE: There will NOT be a barista, please bring water!! Also, bring shoes you can turn in . . . NOT TENNIS SHOES
For questions, please contact Erika and Tom at sonorasalsaclub@gmail.com
Dance Opportunities!
Time to have fun!!!
Kyle is at Yianni’s every first Saturday of the month:
Saturday, November 7, from 6-8 p.m.: Kyle Dooley at Yianni’s, downtown Sonora. Great music, amazing food and a sweet place to listen to Kyle’s great tunes and squeeze in a little dance.
The Dance Pavilion: Party Time!
October JUST DANCE:
Date: Sunday, October 18, 2026 (third Sundays of each month)
Theme: Brunch at the Castle
Time: 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Place: The Dance Castle (backyard pavilion), 23496 Gold Springs Drive, Columbia
Music will be played for ballroom, Latin, swing, Country Western and party favorites!
Food: I’m making Quiches, breakfast casseroles and salads; please bring something to share if you can!
Cost: The dance is $5 for seniors (60+), $10 for adults, no charge for under 18 years old.
No pets; guide dogs permitted
contact Ilene for more information: wingstodance@yahoo.com
Wednesday, October 21, 2026: 6 p.m.: Rod Harris and the Big Band at The Dance Castle
THEME: Moonlight Serenade
BAND: Rod Harris and the Columbia Big Band
FOOD: Please enlighten the dancers with your favorite side dish, salad or dessert!
DONATION: $10 for the Band Fund. Add $10 if you prefer to not bring a dish to share.
NOTE: in case of rain, this event will be canceled. I will make the call by Monday, October 19th.
More Dance Events!
What an awesome line-up at Inner Sanctum Cellars in Columbia!
For more information and tickets (some events) go to: https://inner-sanctum-cellars.obtainwine.com/collection/events
Our “outdoor dance studio and events area!”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Check out all the photos on our facebook page:
My daughters manage my facebook page. I’m totally fb-phobic, so please continue to email me directly or through this website. Oh . . . I’m told to ask friends to “like” us on facebook . . . .
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Inspiring videos for our next flash mob! (the second video takes great creative liberties with the basic steps (fun!):
See you out dancing!
Big hugs from Jim & Ilene
just to share . . . .
2016 was a BLAST and full of dance!
Congratulations to the West Coast Swing Flash Mob group under the direction of Stephanie Merfeld and Jim Clapp:
We had an amazing time performing all over the county for the International West Coast Swing Flash Mob Day! Dancers: Jim Duffy with Ilene Tassano, Kyle McDonald with Colleen McHenry, Mark Wright with Lisa Reza, Quentin Jongejan with April Foster and Jim Tassano with Bonnie Brunk.
The Thriller/Zombie class entertained the living in October. Big thanks to Heather Nordstrom for the classes! (see photo below)
Dance Fitness Instructor, Susan Forbes, has been amazing at instrumenting our Witchy Dances in October. The “Dance Castle Witches” had their All Hallow’s Faire Debut on October 22nd as a pre-show for the Tinder Fire Dancers:
The Fire-Dancers were amazing:
I was honored to work with this talented group of young men and women:
Teresa’s Quinceanera, choreographed September, 2014: