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Club History On June 30th of 2002, some 31 people gathered to create a social dance club in the Hot Springs area to promote and preserve a 50-60’s style of dancing known as Bop, Jitterbug and Swing. The optimism of this group brought to the Hot Springs area a social dance group that has grown to be one of the finest dance families in the area. A Steering Committee was appointed to serve in organizing the Club. After a time, Don Downs stepped in as the Steering Committee Advisor as Bill Ferguson took responsibility of teaching lessons to our fast growing membership. Don brought to the Steering Committee his “been there, done that” experience of Club organization. The Club had an Inaugural Dance on Friday July 12th of 2002 with over 100 people attending with an interest in the new dance club that had emerged on Hot Springs. In January of 2003 the Membership elected and seated its first Board of Directors. The Club has had it’s growing pains, quickly out growing it’s first home at the Austin Hotel in downtown Hot Springs and made a move to it’s current dance home ‘Boot Scooters’. This new dance home offers the Club a large quality dance floor, an unobstructed view of the dancers with plenty of seating and sufficient parking for our group. On prior occasions, the Club had been hosted at the Elks Lodge and Showmen’s Association in Hot Springs when the Austin Hotel was unable to accommodate the Club’s dance evening. The Club started with Dj Buzzy Reppo. Buzzy brought with him some 20 plus years experience in the music industry, an asset to the Club’s beginning. Buzzy moved on to other adventures and our current DJ Billy Gaines settled in as the Club’s DJ in March of 2003. Twice a month on the 2nd and 4th Fridays and any month with a fifth Saturday the Club meets for social dancing from 6 to 9:30 PM. The Club’s special events are themed and decorated. Members bring finger foods for sharing and these evenings together make for a memorable experience of dancing and fellowship. Each Wednesday the Club offers to membership free dance lessons teaching East & West Coast Swing, Waltz’s, Cha Cha and for fun and something different we throw in some other Latin and a new line dance on occasion. Dance instruction is now offered through various members of the Club, some of which have been dance instructors in the past. Other members are gracious and helpful with new members that are unfamiliar with our dance style. This attitude and outreach gives our Dance Club that family atmosphere. You quickly come to know the membership, making you feel at home and comfortable. Thanks…to the 30 original chartered members who had a vision of bringing to the Hot Springs area a fine Dance Club, we are now able to make new friends and re-kindle old ones through our shared passion for dancing. July 12th of 2003 the Spa City Bop and Swing Dance Club celebrates its First Anniversary. The Club has made full circle and continues in its growth. Spa City is sister to the long standing ‘Little Rock Bop Club’ and many Spa City Members have dual membership and members from both enjoy events sponsored by the two clubs. We ARE doing what we love…DANCING…it’s what we’re all about! Original Steering Committee: Bill Ferguson – Advisor John Slater – Chairman Naomi McCarta – Director Rhonda Yates – Director Bill James – Director Emma Jean Wilson - Director Original 30 Chartered Members All they wanted to do was dance…dance…dance! John & Cathy Mac & Naomi Chuck & Patty Jim & Virginia Slater McCarta Cunning Stanton
Don Downs Ruth Puckett Phil Dickson Rhonda Yates
Mike & Lora Bob & Gail Bill & Mary Larry & Marilyn Matula Fowler James Kauffman
Bill Ferguson Doris Mayberry Lyn Parker George Ransom
Valerie Brassell Carroll & Emma Jean Lamar & Joyce Juanita Studdard (Haines) Wilson Watkins
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