Tea Dance

Last Sunday, we had SUCH fun at our first "Sunday afternoon tea dance".

The event was fully booked - it sold out in about a week - and I think part of what made it so successful was that line dancers are lovely people - and the whole club pitched in! We had people setting up the hall, managing the drinks station (tea, coffee and squash), bringing raffle prizes and running the raffle, setting out all the china teacups, and of course, the cake crew - who made the most amazing array of treats, crowned by the amazing cake made by Julie!

Amazing Cowboy Hat cake made by Julie H - and two of her cute little biscuits!

I had asked for dance requests (and dietary requirements; the cake crew made sure there were vegan, gluten free, dairy free and sugar free options) and there were also dance request slips on the tables.

Dancing started at 2pm and I tried to arrange it so that there was a beginner dance followed by an improver dance - and I walked through one wall of each dance, to help everyone feel confident enough to take to the floor. I can't do this on live music nights - it just wouldn't work - so the tea dance event is a great one to start with, if you want to try line dancing in a social setting for the first time.

We had a super list of requests, dances old and new, and I was delighted to see the dance floor full all afternoon. Some of the beginner dancers told me that they found the improver dances inspiring to watch - that's so nice to hear. Bear in mind, almost all my improvers started just like you did, as absolute beginners, with me - and their confidence has grown, just as yours will!

We stopped for a tea and cake break at 3pm and I was thrilled to see people chatting and laughing. We ran the raffle towards the end of the hour - you must have been very generous because the raffle raised £144 for our two charities, Paul's Place (who help disabled people in Yate) and Heart Heroes (a local charity who help children with congenital heart disorders). Each charity was given £72, so thank you, dancers.

Then we had another hour's dancing with quick walk-throughs, and then a final teach of a 16 count cool-down dance. 5pm arrived so quickly!

And then, everyone pitched in and helped to clear up - folding tables, washing cups, vacuuming, sweeping - and amazingly, within around 20 minutes the hall was in immaculate shape once more.

My heart is so full as I write this - the whole afternoon was just so lovely. Thank you dancers, you made it so special.

I'm in the process of arranging another one for January 17th 2027, so we'll have something to look forward to in January. Honestly? I am so excited!

THANK YOU!

Comments welcome - what do you think made it so special? And do you have any suggestions for improvements?