Bringing ballroom to the gay masses, The City of West Hollywood will offer same sex couples the opportunity to dance the cha cha, rumba, fox trot and swing.  Taught by professional dancers, these classes were designed out of a “queer necessity” for men  and women who want to dance in clubs and at social functions with their partners, or anyone else of the same sex.

Sign ups begin on December 15th with classes starting on January 12th, 2008.

Class originator and former semi-professional dancer and publicist Steve Valentine and dance enthusiast Lisa Marie Belsanti will produce the classes along with international ballroom instructor Christopher John Beroiz.  The trio will teach beginning, intermediate and advanced same sex couples several intricate Latin and standard dance styles.

Upon completion of the six week class, the top couples will be coached by Beroiz to prepare them for gay ballroom competitions in San Francisco and New York occurring throughout the year in 2008.  In addition, there will be dance “field trips” to some of West Hollywood’s Sunset Strip clubs and locales like House of Blues, at the reopening of Mickey’s and an outdoor class in the courtyard of the Pacific Design Center. As the classes come to a close at each session, a celebrity panel of judges, including West Hollywood City Council woman Abbe Land and hopefully, out and gay-friendly celebrities like Lance Bass, Kathy Griffin and Ellen (who will be approached) will aid Gay Ballroom producers in selecting the top representatives for the city.

Space is limited for the two group classes. Signups, orientation and class will commence on December 15, 2007 for what promises to be fierce competition for a spot on the floor with or without a partner.  Then, each Saturday beginning January 12, 2008 (time to be determined) couples will dance their hearts out as they attempt to determine who’ll lead.  For more information, please go to www.gayballroom.tv or write steve@valentinegroupla.com

Where:         Plummer Park, West Hollywood Community Center                   

                   7377 Santa Monica Blvd. Room #6                   

                   Cross Street at Martel                   

                   Limited Observation area for non-students available

When:          December 15th ; from 3 p.m. – 5 p.m.

Cost:            $200.00 per couple, singles welcome!