SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage) — If you are someone who likes to dance and are looking for somewhere to learn new rhythms, then Latin Dance of San Angelo is the place for you. This group offers free classes at the VFW here in San Angelo each Thursday with different rhythms every week. One of the instructors, Manny Lopez, says that these classes started with a chance encounter with the VFW commander back in 2023. Lopez and some friends were then given the chance to offer something different to the VFW activities lineup.

"It started from a group of friends...people that would be getting together to practice different rhythms," Lopez says.

He says that he took lessons for several months where he grew up in Mexico and decided dance was something he's passionate about. Lopez now shares what he learned with others by teaching a variety of rhythms and even country swing and two-step.

"We do country music.....two-step, we have also done bachata which is a Dominican rhythm," Lopez says.

Lopez says the attendance for these classes is steady. He says he thinks the reason he believes people keep returning for class each week is because of the way the rhythms are taught.

"We do not push people...go at your own pace because everyone struggles. It took me six months going once a week to actually get it...this is what we teach people, we teach people how to have confidence," Lopez says.

The confidence he says allows everyone to share in the culture of Hispanic and Latin dance culture.

"Most people like to dance and like to go out, but sometimes people will become a little inhibited or afraid because they don't know how to dance. By sharing this and teaching people how to have an idea how to do it will help them feel better. They can also get along and meet along better with people doing what most people like to do regardless of where you are," Lopez says.

You can follow Latin Dance of San Angelo and see their upcoming classes here.

News Source : https://www.conchovalleyhomepage.com/hispanic-heritage/hispanic-heritage-month-latin-dance-of-san-angelo/