History
In January 1961, Clancy Burroughs had an idea. He wanted to share his interest in ballroom dancing with others so he decided to organize an introductory class. He placed a newspaper ad advertising the class and to his delight, ninety registrants responded. He embarked on a seven-week basic course of training in the Beckel Hotel Ballroom.
After completing the course, most of the students wanted more so Clancy, together with a YWCA staff member, organized the YWCA Adult Dance Club. The Club's goal was to provide basic training for new groups throughout the year. After completion of basic training, participants were eligible to join the club. Two of those original charter members, Ray Grillmeier and Louis Beigel, still participate in Club activities.
In the beginning, the club was loosely organized. The officers spent most of their time planning and promoting dancing, boating trips, holiday parties, and picnics. The big events of the year were the Medal Ball in the spring and the President's Ball in the fall.
By 1971-2, the Dayton dance community had grown significantly. The desire for more frequent dances grew. Finally, three couples from the YWCA decided to create an organization dedicated to sponsoring a monthly dance schedule and formed the Dance-tonians. Many more groups were to follow.
In December 1992 we changed locations to the Two-steppers Club. The new location had more rooms, more privacy and a main dance area that offered congenial atmosphere to promote the social interaction we were striving for.
In January 2007 we changed locations to Hara Arena. Flooding in 2011 severely damaged the wood dance floor at Hara, this resulted in much discussion and a search for alternatives.
In January 2012 we changed locations and now our dance classes are conducted at Arbor Hall. We expect to offer the same high level of dance instruction at an affordable price.
Since its founding, the Club has had a profound impact on the Dayton Ballroom Dance scene. Several of our students have branched out to teach ballroom dancing at their own studios. Many couples have married after meeting at our club as well.
Over the last 50 years, the Club has pursued its original goal of promoting ballroom dancing in a relaxed, social atmosphere. No other dance club in southwest Ohio offers an hour and a half of professional dance instruction, instuctor demonstrations, a mixer and then an hour of good dance music for practice.