Ballroom Dancing Stays Alive in Norwich

You may have never heard of the Chenangoans. We didn't know about them either. But on a cold winter night my husband and I experienced the magic of music from an era we thought had vanished. It was the last dance of the year and There they were, twelve musicians most of them music teachers by day and music angels by night. Professionals young and old dressed in their pearly white shirts and dark slacks performed "In the Mood", one of those magical tunes by Glen Miller. The ballroom, filled with small shinning lights created this magical atmosphere. The acoustics, the fireplaces, the lighting, and the candles had all conspired to turn boring couples into new lovers. Well, there was only one couple there; we were the only ones enjoying such a musical feast.

The story goes that Mr. Arnell, a retired music teacher decided to put together a band. Gossip says it was because nobody would hire him to play but we al know it is because he was meant to do it in this life on his own terms. Mr. Arnell is sort of eccentric and he has a thing about perfection that new people can not understand. Apparently for the past 6 years he would schedule ballroom music performances each fall and winter once a month at the Rennasaince Building in downtown Norwich. He funded the venture from his own pocket even when no money was generated at the door. Candidly he says, the gig included a pizza feast he enjoyed with all musicians at the end of the dance.

On our way out I spoke to Mrs Arnell who is a College Professor and a wall street retired financial wizard about the event. As I often do, I offer my support to market the next music series with only one proviso, that she would contact me if she wanted my help. To my absolute surprise Mrs. Arnell called me the next summer and said; "You mentioned that we could use your help marketing the dances and I hope you still mean it." And off to work we went.

The largest challenge marketing the ballroom dances was the abundance of left feet in the community and the fact that we didn't know where to find the dancers. Mrs. Arnell gave us her black book, a book where guests signed their name and addresses and the list she used to send a quick note of invitation each year. I am a marketer by trade so with the latest graphics we designed a glossy invitation and we announced the new dance series. I made sure to invite all my friends and attempted to bribe many into attending with a glass of wine at the door. Our first dance had 10 people and we all thought this was great. Then the idea rose. How about a Dance Club?

In October of 2007 we sent a letter to our list and asked them to join us for a meeting to discuss the creation of a Dance Club. Mr Arnell granted us a wonderful ballroom use fee of $12 per night, I thought I would faint with such a gift. Our first meeting scheduled for the first Friday in November had 8 couples. We began the meeting with a warm welcome and enjoyed a free salsa dance lesson. That night, the Norwich Dance Club was born. Every Friday from 7pm to 9pm the lights of ballroom at the Rennaisance Building in Downtown Norwich are lid and so are the souls of happy dancers that rush in for a free dance lesson. The Dance Club kept the charter members goals to have fun and avoid formality. We knew we had to compensate Mr. Arnell for the use of the ballroom and cover the costs of this endeavor but imposing membership fees was not our choice. So we brought a carved coconut (with an inscription that says "have fun") and it became our bank. A contribution of $3 per person is suggested and members seem quite happy to drop the bucks every week. Teaching people how to dance resulted in greater attendance for our big band dances. The Chenangoans now could enjoy the view of couples dancing and the exhilarating feeling of a strong applause. The dances were so successful that Mr. Arnell decided to continue performing after the winter. Our Valentine's dance brought over 40 couples and we continued our dances through out the summer.

After a brief vacation the band returned in September. A tribute to the Glen Miller orchestra was the theme. In our minds we traveled years back to an era of elegance and style. The couples dancing on the floor were smoother than the first day we gathered. You could see the pride on their dancing accomplishments and the joy felt by everyone. At the tables, couples shared beverages and snacks and enjoyed music pieces so beautiful. It was like the first time I saw this place only that this time the seats were filled and smiles where everywhere. It was a magical night.

Today you can walk into the Renaissance building which is located above Two Sisters Café in downtown Norwich any Friday from 7pm to 9pm and find ballroom dance alive. Volunteers rush to welcome visitors; the dance instructor takes everyone from beginning steps to turns. From Latin music like cha-cha to all American jitter-bug, the dance club offers free dance lessons every week. The age range goes from 20 to 90, the attire is whatever you are in the mood for but one rule is not to be broken, sneakers are forbidden and only dancing shoes will do. The only agenda is fun and so much fun is today possible because of a man who believed in music and made this building a place for all of us.