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