Westside Partner-Dance Classes
Begin their next session November 4th

All-ages partner-dance classes in West Seattle get started again next Tuesday, hosted by The
Center for Active Living. And the first class is free.

It’s the seventh year of these popular classes, and this session features Introduction to Swing
Dancing at 6:30 and Cross Step Waltz at 7:45.

“It sure beats working out at the gym,” said BJ Bullert, who’s been taking these classes since
they began in 2017. “You get to meet new people, move to great music, and it’s a break from
real life.”

Instructor Dean Paton works diligently to make the classes low pressure, where so-called
“mistakes” are celebrated, never chastised.

“My teaching philosophy is simple,” he says: “Make it safe to fail. Make it safe to screw-up.
Because when we realize that making mistakes – and learning from these little missteps – is the
best way to learn, then dance class becomes fun. Immediately.”

The classes run for six Tuesday evenings, starting on November 4th and concluding December
9th. Because the first class is free, there’s no risk if you decide partner dancing isn’t your glass
or orange juice. Just show up and try it on.

“It’s not like a dating scene,” Bullert says. “You don’t need a partner, and you don’t have to
pretend to be somebody else. I love that it’s okay to screw up. I always feel a lot happier
afterwards. It’s like a music bath. I lose the weight of the world, even for a couple of hours.”

Each series of classes costs $84 for members of The Center and $120 for non-members.
No partner necessary. Singles and couples welcome. Classes are held upstairs in Hatten Hall.
To register, go to the Center for Active Living and Search for “Westside Dance With Dean.”

REGISTER HERE