About our Dance Parties
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Celebrating the Joy of Dance
About Our Dance Parties
At Chautauqua Hall Dance Club, we believe in the power of dance to bring people together, create connections, and spark joy. Since our founding, we’ve been dedicated to fostering a welcoming community where dancers of all ages and skill levels can share their love for ballroom dancing.
Chautauqua Hall Dance Club is a non-profit social club founded in 1926 to promote social dancing on the Monterey Peninsula. Our mission is a promote and sponsor a weekly social dance event (lesson and dance party) for our members each Saturday night at Chautauqua Hall in Pacific Grove. All events are hosted by our dedicated and hard-working board members. All instructors are volunteers.
Our dance parties are the heart of what we do. Hosted at the historic Chautauqua Hall in Pacific Grove, these events offer an inviting and relaxed atmosphere for everyone—from beginners taking their first steps to experienced dancers perfecting their craft. Our parties feature an exciting mix of ballroom styles, including Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot, Cha-Cha, Rumba, Swing, and more.
Every week, we strive to create an experience that’s not just about dancing, but also about camaraderie, laughter, and making lasting memories. No partner? No problem! Our events are designed to ensure everyone feels included, with plenty of opportunities to meet new friends on the dance floor.
Our Pricing Plan
Admission
Membership
$10.00
Cash Only
Member Admission
$10.00
Cash Only
Non-member Admission
$15.00
Cash Only
Dance Types We Dance
Dances and Music Played
Our group lessons and dance party include a wide variety of partner dance styles to recorded music. The music is selected by experienced dancers who are familiar with the rhythm and timing of each specific dance style. We offer a marquee which lists the specific dance style that the DJ intended the song to be danced to so you don’t have to try to guess what dance style to do to the music. Several songs work for more than one dance style, so each dancer can choose which style of dance they want to dance to the song. (i.e. the same song could work for a cha cha and west coast swing, or a fox trot and east coast swing). While music tastes can vary, we attempt to provide a wide variety of different music tastes to fit the various dance styles we offer. If you are interested in hearing some samples of the type of music we play, look up Chdanceclub on Spotify.
The most common dances we dance (multiple songs played each evening that fit this style):
- Foxtrot
- Tango
- Waltz
- Cha Cha
- East Coast Swing
- West Coast Swing
- Rumba
- Hustle
- Salsa
- Night Club 2 Step
- Samba
- Bachata
The less common dances we dance (only 1 song or less played each evening):
- Argentine Tango
- Bolero
- Merengue
- Viennese Waltz
- Electric Slide (solo line dance)
- Cha Cha Slide (solo line dance)
Mixer Dances
We offer 1-2 “mixer” dances each evening. A “mixer” is where the followers line up in one spot in the room and the leaders will pick up the follow, dance with them around the room one time, then drop the follower off at the end of the line and pick up a new follower. This process repeats for 2-3 songs.
The benefit of a mixer dance is that you get to dance with several different people throughout 2-3 different songs, which can help introduce you to new people. It also means that you do not have to ask someone to dance or wait for someone to ask you to dance. By standing up and going to the place where the mixer line starts, everyone knows you want to dance.
West Coast Swing Nights
We have a vibrant West Coast Swing Community on the Monterey Peninsula, so when we offer West Coast Swing as the lesson, we mix things up a bit for the party. The first hour of music for the party typically includes many songs that crossover between ballroom dance and west coast swing. Then from 8-10pm, the music is all west coast swing.
Specialty Nights
Chautauqua Hall periodically will offer a specialty night, such as a live band, themed party (Halloween, Christmas, Valentine’s), Veteran’s Appreciation, or highlighting a specific dance style for the evening. If you are interested in hearing about our specific events please join our email list chdanceclub@gmail.com, or follow us on Facebook.
Lead and Follow Roles
Chautauqua Hall welcomes people of all walks of life and does not require people to assume stereotypical gender roles for the lead and follow positions. You are welcome to dance whatever position suits you. Many of our more experienced dancers will switch their role as lead or follow because it helps develop their dance skills better in whatever position they traditionally dance. (i.e. lead doing the follow role, or follow doing the lead role).
Questions?
Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions at chdanceclub@gmail.com
