By Staff Reports
(LĪHU’E) – Community organizations that host small-scale activities at the Līhu’e Neighborhood Center now have a high-quality portable sound system to use during their events thanks to the generosity of the Līhu’e chapter of the Kaua’i Ballroom Dance Club (KBDC).
“We wanted to show our appreciation to the county for allowing us to have our classes at the Līhu’e Neighborhood Center. When we asked the Parks Department what they could use, they told us a sound system so that’s what we bought,” said Neil Rapozo, president of the KBDC’s Līhu’e chapter.
The dance club has held weekly classes at the Līhu’e facility for the past 19 years.
“Throughout the years they’ve used our neighborhood center, the members of the Kaua’i Ballroom Dance Club have been very respectful of our facility so it’s been our pleasure to let them use it,” said Director of Parks and Recreation Lenny Rapozo. “Getting the donation of a sound system was a generous gesture and we’re very grateful to them.”
Although the number fluctuates, there are usually about 70 people between the ages of 20 and 80 that participate in the ballroom dance classes offered Wednesdays, 7 to 9 p.m., at the Līhu’e Neighborhood Center.
Among the American style ballroom dances taught at the Līhu’e center are the following: bolero; cha-cha; East and West Coast swing; fox trot; hustle; mumbo; merengue; Night Club 2-step; rumba; samba; tango; Viennese Waltz; and waltz.
“Ballroom dancing is a great activity that couples can do together instead of watching TV and it’s very affordable,” said Ken Kitabayashi, lead dance instructor for KBDC’s Līhu’e chapter. “I encourage people to try it. They just might like it.”
Ballroom dancing is also offered Tuesdays, 7 to 9 p.m., at the Hanapēpē Neighborhood Center by the KBDC’s Hanapēpē chapter.