Levittown Hall in Hicksville comes alive every Thursday night with music, dance, fun and laughter as students are swept away into the world of Latin dance.
Under the instruction of professional teacher Mark James, dance hopefuls learn a trio of Latin dance, including salsa, meringue and what James describes as the biggest craze in Latin dancing today, bachata.
“It’s fun, we love to dance and it’s something we can do together,” couple Antonio and Ana Izquierdo enthusiastically explain. This is the third consecutive session the couple is taking with James and it seems there is no stopping them.
Ray Commisso of East Meadow echoes the same sentiments of how dance is bringing him and his girlfriend Irena Goldsmith together. “It’s great for couples because it is a really romantic form of exercise,” he said.
But the classes aren’t just for couples. There are plenty of dancers who come and enjoy the lessons on their own. “I love to dance but my husband can’t dance anymore. I’m using muscles I didn’t even know I had,” says Elizabeth Mandara.
James, who has been dancing professionally since 1988, is not only light on his feet but keeps the mood light as he leads the large class across the dance floor with his continual words of encouragement. “Keep laughing about it and enjoy. That’s the best way to get good at it,” he says.
With the women lined up on one side of the room and the men standing on the opposite end, James breaks down each step in an easy to follow formula before pairing up partners to strut their own stuff. “I like the classes because everyone is so friendly and Mark really takes the time to show you,” said attendee Joyce Williams.
The friendly atmosphere is evident as the sound of laughter fills the room nearly as much as the Latin bass. James continually reminds his students throughout the class to “never lose that smile.”
One of the biggest smiles came from longtime student Joan Parsons, who has been taking classes with James for nearly seven years and has tried it all, including hustle and Ballroom. Parsons and her husband were college sweethearts who have been dancing together for years. “When we met dancing was our thing. It is something we still love to do,” she says.
While Parsons is one of his veteran students who frequently helps him demonstrate the dances. James reminds his students that they are all “masters of something” and to celebrate where they are in their own level of dance. “I tell my students don’t compare yourself to another dancer,” he says.
James says his philosophy on dance is simple. Dance, he says, is much more than just moving your hips and keeping the rhythm, it’s about the ability to talk, communicate and listen. In this high tech world we live in, “I consider dance to be the original ‘facetime,'” he explains.
Classes are held every Thursday night from 8 to 10 p.m. at 201 Levittown Parkway, at Levittown Hall in Hicksville and there is still plenty of space available for interested dancers of all experience levels. To sign up contact the Town of Hempstead’s Department of Parks and Recreation at 516-292-9000. Classes are open to Town of Hempstead residents and run until Dec. 18.
