Many may ask, “What in the world is Slide Dancing?” It is simply line dancing to Rhythm & Blues music and is also known as soul line dancing. Some of the dances you may have heard of are “The Wobble,” “Zydeco Bounce,” and “Temptations Cha Cha.” Slide
Dancing began in Philadelphia during the 1960’s and in recent years has rapidly spread across the nation.
Beaufort’s Family Slide Dancers celebrated their Second Annual Summer Soiree on June 9 at the Officers’ Club at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort. It was organized by instructor Lynn Bryant. Several groups from Columbia joined the Family Slide Dancers for a night of dancing to the tunes of DJ “Sweet Music Man.” Guest instructors included the founder of Soul Line Dance in South Carolina and Bryant’s mentor, Sandy Thompson, originally of Philadelphia.
Before her retirement, Lynn Bryant founded Family Slide Dancers at St. Helena Elementary in August 2010. It has now increased to locations throughout Beaufort County with dancers’ ages ranging from 20 to 80 years old.
“I always dreamed of having a club where people of all ages and backgrounds would come together and dance, just like at a family reunion or wedding reception,” said Bryant. “So Family Slide
Dancers is definitely a dream come true.”
In July, additional classes are beginning for the community. Class times are 6 p.m. Wednesdays at Penn Center on St. Helena Island or Thursdays at the Technical College of the Lowcountry. This is an excellent opportunity for enjoyable exercise and meeting new friends.
For more information, call instructor Lynn Bryant at 843-521-7474 or email lynnmbryant@hotmail.com.
