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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (May 16, 2003)
may 16. 2ÛQ3 j >7 eating out eating out eating out eating out Get into the swing P a rtn e r sw apping w as n e v e r so m uch fu n as w ith the L esbian Dance Club of Eugene by S u sa n D e t r o y William's on 12 French Cuisine B o un \sfsc n / is ay e ? a w oo*. ^ 207 5 E 12th just wanted more partners. Dance part ners, that is. Ever since I was a kid I danced it all, from ballet to cha-cha. Lately I’ve been learning more partner dances and longed for more lesbian dance partners. 1 com plained to friends. 1 knew how addicted I was and how much fun it would be it more Eugene lesbians were out danc ing at clubs, socials and events. Finally last year 1 stopped complaining, rallied support, found a location and recruited a teacher for the Lesbian Dance Club of Eugene. And if you’re smart you’ll head to Eugene from Portland or any where else in Oregon for our community dance June 7, a culmination of our third 10-week class session. So far we’ve learned the East Coast single and triple count swing, waltz, cha-cha, Argen tine tango, fox trot, Latin hustle, foxy and, one of the group’s favorites, rumba. You name it, they can dance it. The Lesbian Dance Club of Eugene Dancing opportunities will celebrate swing and nightclub two-step June 7 at Hilyard for lesbians in Eugene Community Center have been sporadic. About eight years ago, after experiencing similar N o doubt, though, joining the class as a sin feelings to mine, Harriet Rubin organized women- gle lesbian can be frightening. But, Stockford says, “Once I participated and experienced the only ballroom and Latin dance lessons. After a couple of years she found it too much work to rotation of partners, the awkwardness about organize on her own. Then the Rock ’n’ Rodeo being single disappeared.” Laura Fischrup and her partner, Maureen offered a Sunday queer dance night primarily focusing on two-step country with a bit of swing. McCauley, also started last fall without previous dance experience. “We can learn together and 1 learned from this history to eliminate pay continue to learn together,” Fischrup says. “It is at the door and to find others to share in a fun thing that we can do with each other and organizing. But the best move was hiring Laura plan on once a week or more.” Taylor— a proficient, joyful instructor whose As a couple they were initially skeptical enthusiasm for dancing permeates the lessons. about switching partners, but with the encour eld at the Eugene School of Ballet, the class agement of the instructor “we actually came to appreciate changing partners was a way to es draw about 25 participants. Experienced become better dancers,” Fischrup exclaims. dancers create a friendly environment as “And we meet other people in the class. We designated greeters, sharing in a preclass review. are both really enjoying it.” Lessons are geared to who signs up, from begin The community dance includes mini ning through intermediate and occasionally lessons in swing and nightclub two-step. advanced. Both single and partnered lesbians are Organizer Sydney Kinnaman explains: "We encouraged to participate. want everyone who comes to feel there is Laura Stockford, who only started dancing music for them to dance with. We plan to last fall, expresses her excitement about how play everything from Aretha for rocking out dancing has increased her activity level. “1 am to disco to waltz. ” jn passionate about dancing now. I would never give it up. Since the first class this has been The L esbian D ance C lub of E ugene good for me.” Stockford felt so much excitement and community dance is 8 to 10 p.m. June 7 at Hilyard Community Center, 2580 Hilyard St. Admission is enthusiasm, she joined the organizing team. “It’s $5 at the door. For more information call a social situation where I can meet other lesbians 541-485-9687 or e-mail suselynd@yahoo.com. interested in being active in their lifestyle and making healthy choices. I never laugh more in SUSAN D etroy is a water and artist in Eugene. my week than 1 do in dance class.... I get to Visit her at www.efn.org/~dets. laugh and enjoy so much what I am doing." 9 (503) Open for Breakfast Sat & Sun B am - 1 pm Sun - Thurs 5 - 1 0 pm Fri & Sat 5 - 1 1 pm 213 SE 12th (503) 230-2381 No Reservations Necessary at jis tv o u cK m ^ n n e ig h b o rh o o d b tfr b is t r o ££> in/tve/v a n/d a S ) a te - trves p&vl&c/b c&m/kbn/adbo/n. castaqna cW¿n&, can d le liq A i an d /y flic s it ,/¡/f 111 o u i the/ ^ u/Ssl vbe/yvcL& c a sta g n a dinner Wednesday through Saturday c V (p iA > e s ^ e s V f r Q / i v a / b s s • 231.7373 o*vfia^e/ 5 4 / c a f é c a s t a g n a now open 7 n ig h ts a week (503) 231. 9959 cl\)tUe/ yawi/ ouov personal ad at ui/iuui/. j/U/S/to/U/V. C/O/m 1752 s e haw thorne b o u le v a rd I x a Á T o 2716 NE MLK 503 288-4169 7am-2pm Mon-Fri, 8am-3pm Sat-Sun $ í M aí / * U c f\íl lyn fill Occ^ucyhsi. H Pizza, Salad, Sandwiches, and Oregon Microbrews sold here Free Delivery (60th-River, Gli*an-W/ood*toek) JZa T&eLta A \e CZuisine with © A * « * a jZA tin /Im e iicA n ^ L a v o i ! Serving delicious lunches Ac dinners from Monday through Saturday at 1408 SE 12th (between Hawthorne Ac Madison 503.232.5358 3701 SE H«rthorne 503-231-0901
