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Metropolis officials invite you to get up and dance

Daily Herald
By Eileen O. Daday | Daily Herald Correspondent

Posted Thursday, February 15, 2007

Metropolis Performing Arts Centre officials invite fans of the popular “Dancing with the Stars,” to get up off the couch, and put on their dancing shoes.

They return on Wednesday with the latest installment of their “Dance The Night Away” series, which this time offers instruction in swing dancing, before the dance floor welcomes open dancing.

It all begins with the dance instruction from 6:30 to 8 p.m. before the open dance segment runs from 8 to 10 p.m. Tickets are $20 for both instruction and dance, or $15 for the open dance, only. Doors open at 6 p.m. with a cash bar, before instruction begins.

The event takes place in the Metropolis Ballroom, 6 S. Vail Ave., Arlington Heights.

Tim Rater, Metropolis executive director, says the dance series has been popular from the moment they launched the first set of classes last season. First and foremost, he credits the hit reality show, “Dancing with the Stars,” as jump-starting interest.

“It brought dancing into the limelight, and into your living room,” Rater says. “It made it fun and accessible for everyone.

“And with the wide variety of celebrities they’ve had — from football legend Emmitt Smith to talk show host Jerry Springer — the show has made it acceptable and cool to try your hand at dancing,” Rater adds.

For the second year, Metropolis officials have offered a series of four classes and open dance sessions. They follow up Wednesday’s dance night with another one April 25, this time focusing on ballroom dance, which completes this season’s classes.

Officials say the sessions nearly always sell out, and they reflect the general resurgence in interest in ballroom dance at dance studios throughout the area.

“I think our dance series is just a great escape for the evening,” Rater adds. “We hold them on Wednesday nights, to break up the work week. It’s something fun and different to do, either as a date or with friends.”

Metropolis officials describe the event as friendly — and supportive. There are no cameras filming, or audiences voting. The idea is to get patrons dancing, whether they are beginners or veterans looking for a happening venue.

Dance the Night Away Dance Series
Where: Metropolis Ballroom, 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights
When: Wednesday, February 21
More info here

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