Quick, quick, slow, slow. Quick, quick, slow, slow.

Country music pours into the streets from the ajar door of the Whitefish Community Center as the last bit of evening light slips away. 

Friends and strangers lock their hands.  

“Quick, quick, slow, slow,” continues Debo Powers. 

Dancers spin their boots in unison, smiling with each step – or laughing off each misstep.  

“Now, switch partners,” Powers calls out, and the dancers sashay accordingly, finding a new person to two-step with.  

Powers, a Polebridge resident, may be the state representative of House District 3, but there’s no room for politics during her community dance lessons. 

Since January, Powers has been leading beginner and intermediate classes in two-step, waltz and West Coast and East Coast swing, most Friday nights at the Whitefish Community Center.  

Powers started getting in depth with dancing around 1990. Since then, the former public school teacher and principal has competed in more than 45 country western dance competitions across the nation and world.  

“I love dancing. It makes me feel alive, happy and energized,” she said. “It’s something you can do with other people, so I just love dancing. 

“What I like about the community is people just have fun. They connect and meet new people. And it’s OK to make mistakes.”  

There’s a lot of reasons to attend classes, she said, whether it’s to learn a new skill or to socialize.  

“The best exercise for the brain is dancing. Because not only are you exercising your body, but you’re thinking through all the steps. Studies show that people who dance are 76% less likely to get dementia.”  

Roland Mena, the Meals on Wheels coordinator at Whitefish Community Center, marveled at the liveliness of the building Friday night.  

“You may have somebody who has been isolated, and they just step in the door and are very welcomed,” Mena said. “The number of people who are new here tonight – there’s not very many places like that, other than the bar stool.” 

Powers believes that rotating partners during dance class helps people learn faster, in addition to building community. It also is practical – no partner is required to attend class, and solo folks are encouraged to attend.  

Classes are taught in a series of about four weeks. The beginner session, starting at 6 p.m., is drop-in friendly. The intermediate session, from 7:15 – 8:15 p.m., builds week to week. People can attend both classes in a row for more dancing – it's also a plus for more experienced dancers to help the newer dancers.   

There are two more sessions on May 8 and 15 and then a brief break before a new four-week series starts June 12. Everyone is welcome to attend – no experience or dancing boots required. There is a $5 suggested donation.  

More information is available on the Facebook page Dancing Debo. 

    Vicki Bernstein and Chris Crumal participate in community dance class at the Whitefish Community Center on Friday, May 1. (Kelsey Evans/Whitefish Pilot)
  

    Laura Whittemore smiles during waltz lessons at the Whitefish Community Center on Friday, May 1. (Kelsey Evans/Whitefish Pilot)
  

    Dwight Bergeron and Marci Marigold dance at community dance class at the Whitefish Community Center on Friday, May 1. (Kelsey Evans/Whitefish Pilot)