Ballroom Dancing At the Cubberley Pavilion

It supposed to be a spacious place to take class and to dance out a fun night. Unfortunately they can't stop a bully problem on Saturday night dance there --

Instead of asking, a regular male guest tends to just grab woman to dance with him, and he even harasses you if you dare to refuse him and protest. Whoever runs the dance just responded about our complain, "I want people come here to be happy...I want peace." How though? Not by allowing the same misbehavior for sure at their place for sure.

You'll see him - one the tallest and biggest guys there, with black hair and black mustache, in black T-shirt, black pants, named 'Robert' according to the lady at the gate, who knew whom we referred to right away once we started to share with her regarding this guy.

It is too bad indeed...

If you live anywhere near this place, you need to come try it at least once, just to see what we're talking about. And if you like people, especially really friendly people, who miss you when you don't show up, and smile and patiently teach you dance by dance, step by step, the whole time telling you how good you are (when you aren't yet), people who plan regular parties and outings and get togethers and activities outside the dance, and will send you emails about concerts and dances and shows, free ones, and prefer that it's NOT a snooty place where only people who are into competing go. Yes, if you're youngish and are more comfortable around the under 50 crowd, bring FRIENDS with you...hey we were thinking of offering price breaks for new comers who bring others...Just know that, at least for me, the FUN starts AFTER the lessons stop and they turn the lights down low and the music doesn't stop...and the ladies don't pee on the restroom seats the way they do at those snooty studios. Young ladies, don't be concerned about the older dudes...they won't chase you into the parking lot (and all of the women are more than willing to walk with you). Young men, be gentle...you're stronger than you think, be even more gentle if you think your lead is late...yanking her faster isn't the solution; never yank. Both of you: brush your teeth, no perfumes or body sprays, and just WALK RIGHT UP and ASK everyone to dance...sometimes us old folks are just plain tired from the day and can barely get up from chatting with all the other old folks....but we WANT to dance, really...it's why we dragged our asses there in the first place. Come meet one of the crazies.

Oh and other dances you really need to go to if you like West Coast Swing (and some country and nightclub 2step): Michelle Kinkaids once-a-month Sunday dance at Imperial in RWC

And Samy Makar's SALSA RUEDA....EVERYONE must RUEDA!!! Learn it first at the class at the Los Gatos community center Wednesday nights. We do it every time they play a salsa at Cubberley

Cubberley Pavillion is a wonderful place to go for ballroom dancing. I started almost nine years ago knowing only the bunny hop, and now I enjoy dancing there every weekend. The floor is the largest in North America, the price ( $9 for the lesson, dance party until midnight, and refreshments) is very affordable, and the instructors (for both the beginning and intermediate lessons) are wonderful. What makes Cubberley the best place to dance, however, are the people who go there to dance. I visited another well known ballroom, and after three visits had still not been asked to dance. The Cubberley dancers are not like that. They are very friendly and go out of their way to make newcomers feel welcome. There is a wide range of ages and ability levels, but what they all have in common is friendliness and a love of dancing. You won't find any dance snobs at Cubberley!