SANDPOINT — For more than 18 years, a group of local residents — and a few folks who travel into town to join the fun — have been gathering monthly to celebrate their enjoyment of social dance.

The organization behind these dance events falls under the umbrella of a national group called USA Dance, but the real work is done by a handful of Sandpoint-area hoofers who reach out with enthusiasm to add to their ranks.

Prior to the formation of the Sandpoint Chapter of USA Dance, there had been on-and-off opportunities for dancers to hit the dance floor, especially during the era when the Swing Street Big Band was playing regularly at what then was the original Elk’s Club — now the location of Jalapeno’s and a suite of offices next door on Second Avenue.

In a way, my lovely wife, Tami, and I were a part of that first chapter. Between performing songs with the Swing Shift Vocal Quartet, we would make a beeline for that grand expanse of wood floor at the Elk’s and cut a rug to the classic big band sounds. Before long, people in the audience began asking if there were social dance lessons available in town. Back then, the answer was “no,” so we picked up the ball and ran with it, holding regular Saturday morning classes for a couple years until other, more qualified teachers, emerged to take up the cause.

The first official dance hosted by the Sandpoint Chapter of USA Dance took place — still at the Elk’s — in January of 2001. The group had asked me and Tami to stand in as instructors and, as the start time approached, concern began to grow that no one was going to show up. Those fears were quickly allayed when the appointed time came and couples started streaming through the door. So many potential dancers, in fact, that it required two concentric circles taking up the entire expanse of the lodge room to accommodate them all.

From there, an experienced dance instructor named Diane Peters led the classes for several years as the group’s ranks continued to grow. At the same time, the local chapter also crafted a successful format for the monthly dances, with social time, instruction and general dancing rounding out the evening.

“Dances are now held mostly at the Sandpoint Community Hall and still begin with a 1-hour beginner lesson,” said Pam Sheffler, who, along with her husband, Dwight, have been mainstays in organizing the dance scene here. “Instructors have come and gone, but currently the instructors are Glenn and Patty Braunstein from Spokane. Glenn has 28 years of experience and Patty has 20 years.”

Pretty much all styles of social dance are taught and practiced by the group and it might be that variety that has kept people coming back.

“Since the beginning, the group has maintained a solid group of attendees,” Sheffler said. “The numbers fluctuate, but currently around 40 people attend.”

Certain dances attract an even larger crowd, particularly when the holidays roll around.

“The Holiday Ball is a special, semi-formal dance with a live band,” Sheffler noted. “Last December, 85 people attended at the Ponderay Events Center.”

The recent explosion of popularity surrounding social dance has resulted in a corresponding level of interest here at home, where the monthly gatherings see teens mingling — and often dancing — with people their grandparents’ age.

“Our dancers range from 13 to 80,” said Sheffler. “The younger crowd is drawn in by the livelier styles like salsa, cha-cha, swing and country two-step and the older folks love to waltz, fox trot, rumba, and nightclub two-step.”

In recent years, the group has been focused on encouraging teens to learn ballroom dancing, with free lessons available at the Forest Bird Charter Middle School on Wednesday afternoons after school. Those lessons are sponsored and paid for by the local chapter and taught by the Braunsteins, as are the adult dance classes that take place on Monday evenings, also instructed by the couple at the charter school.

“Lessons seem to be the best way to grow the group,” Sheffler explained. “Making more ballroom dancers in this area is key.”

The ratio of men to women is slightly more women than men, she added.

“A lot of men don’t want to put in the time to learn and get better, but we tell them to stick with it,” Sheffler said. “Wives love it, it is a great date night and if you are single, you can make a fun connection. The group has seen many couples bloom romances out of being dance partners — and more than a few marriages!”

Fear is the single biggest factor that keeps people from coming to the dances and lessons, she pointed out, but the organizers encourage people to try it once. Most times, these new dancers realize their fears were unfounded and they immediately feel at home with an interesting, new group of friends.

“We try to make it fun and non-intimidating,” Sheffler said. “Nobody is watching for your mistakes — we are all too focused on our own dancing. Plus, dimming the lights helps. It is great exercise for your mind and your body and a great way to meet people.”

The next USA Dance is scheduled for Sat., April 27, from 7-10 p.m., at Sandpoint Community Hall. The night begins with a lesson on East Coast Swing starting at 7 p.m., followed by general dancing, refreshments, door prizes, and social mixers from 8-10 p.m.

Singles, couples, and all levels of dancers are encouraged to come. The cost is $9 for adults and $5 for teens. USA Dance events are alcohol and tobacco free.

Information: 208-699-0421