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Keeping time with swing dancing

Though the Balboa was a very popular dance in his youth, Clint Holland learned the step only recently. At 84 years old, the Orange County resident spends three or four days each week on the dance floor.

Besides the dance classes he attends at various local senior centers, Holland is at the Avant Garde Ballroom in Newport Beach every Sunday for swing dance lessons offered by The Orange County Swing Dance Club. Though he’s “not quite up to” all of the dances, he usually stays for three of the four classes offered, which include beginning swing and intermediate Balboa.

What had been merely a leisurely activity became Holland’s main pastime seven years ago, when his wife died. “She told me just before she passed, ‘I want you to do what’s best for you — get out and do the things we loved to do together,’ ” Holland said.

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Avant Garde Ballroom instructor Ed Van Ornum, who’s been a dance instructor for 30 years, said dancing is a great way for seniors to stay healthy. He has been teaching dance to seniors at Laguna Woods Leisure World for about 20 years.

“With dancing, your mind is occupied and it keeps you in shape physically and spiritually,” Van Ornum said. “Dancing is a good way to become a much better and happier person.”

Classes at Avant Garde are open to students of all ages, and owner Andre Bonderman said it’s refreshing for seniors to be in a mixed crowd and dance with a range of partners. Orange County Swing Dance Club instructor Shesha Marvin agreed, adding that seniors often offer original insight into the dances of their generation, such as the Balboa.

“It’s great to see old people, young people and middle-aged people all dancing together,” Marvin said. “A lot of cross-generational partnerships and friendships are created.”

In addition to the social advantages, the thinking involved with dancing — memorizing the steps, understanding the music and being able to improvise — helps keep seniors alert, Bonderman said.

Holland, who has recently danced with partners as young as 22 years old, reaps both the physical and mental benefits associated with dance. Having the opportunity to interact with others and learning how to lead properly are some of the key incentives for dancing at the Avant Garde Ballroom.

“I think the main benefit has been to have contact with other people, both men and ladies, and to maintain my sense of balance,” he said. “Many of the ladies tell me I’m a good leader.”

In addition to swing, the Avant Garde Ballroom offers group and private lessons and workshops on a variety of dances, including the cha-cha, the Lindy Hop and tango — Holland’s favorite.

The ballroom hosts dance parties open to the public every Friday and Saturday evening for $10 to $12, most of which include an hour lesson and three-hour social dance. Seniors are invited to attend and do not need to bring a partner.

The facility is at 4220 Scott Drive, Newport Beach. For more information, visit avantgardeballroom.com or call (949) 442-7600. For information on the Sunday night swing lessons, visit ocswing.com or call (866) OCSWING.

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