Sunshine dancers celebrate 25 years

Sequence dancing is alive and well in the Bay with the Sunshine Dance Club celebrating 25 years of waltz, foxtrot and tango.

Sunshine Dance Club organiser Rick Ormsby said the club took off in 1991 after being set up by Doug Wilkie and Jill Frost, who thought there was a gap in the dancing scene.

Rick and Jan Ormsby joined the club in 1996, then took over running it in 2004 to prevent it from closing.

"There were several dance groups in Tauranga in the early 90s, Doug and Jill were convinced there was a real need for properly organised dance workshops where people could come and learn sequence dancing," Mr Ormsby said.

Originally the group was known as the Sequence Dance Club but renamed to become the Sunshine Dance Group in 1993, he said.

The club was primarily for beginners who wanted to learn different dance moves including waltz, tango, and foxtrot.

Mr Ormsby first learned sequence dances when he was at secondary school. He and his wife have been dancing for 54 years.When the group was first started an average of between 30 and 40 people attended each class. Now the club often saw between 50 and 60.

Mr Ormsby said most of those who attended the classes were retired, with the eldest being 96 years old.

He said the group had lasted so long because it was fun and entertaining.

"We put it down to people coming and enjoying themselves. If you can't quite do the step as we have shown you, you can still come in, do as many steps as you would like and have fun while doing it.

"Everybody who comes enjoys themselves. That is why the group is so successful."

Dancing helped to keep his mind and body fit, he said.

"My mind is focused and my energy is up. I am 76 now, so I am doing pretty good."

Mr Ormsby said he hoped to keep dancing with the group until he was in his 80s.

A 25-year-celebration will be held at Greerton Hall tonight, from 7pm. Entry is $5 a person with semi-formal dress. Current and past members are welcome at the event, as is anybody interested in joining the club.