Rob and Tana Ewers started dating, and dancing, in high school.
After 55 years together, married for 52, they’re still dancing. The graceful couple were among more than 100 people who took to the dance floor Sunday at the Longmont Senior Center’s annual Sweetheart Dance.
“It’s just a joy,” said Rob Ewers. “Listening to the music, you can’t help but move.”
Added Tana Ewers, “Dancing is an excuse to hold your partner in public. We like dancing together. I’m very lucky because I have a husband who chooses to appreciate music with his feet.”
Keeping the dancers twirling was the 16-piece Don Elwood Big Band, which pumped out classic waltzes, tangos and rhumbas, plus a little swing and jazz. The band includes four trumpet players, five saxophone players, four trombone players and a three-person rhythm section.
“We try to mix it up to keep everybody happy,” said the band’s namesake, Don Elwood of Berthoud.
Theresa Schulte, the senior center’s recreation supervisor, said the big band era music was a big draw.
“There aren’t that many places you can go to hear a big band,” she said. “It’s a wonderful community event. It gets people up and moving.”
Friends of the Longmont Senior Center, Inc., also covered the cost of the band, making the event free.
Those on the dance floor at Sunday’s event ranged from dancing novices to those with a lifetime of ballroom dancing experience. Others just enjoyed the music.
Longmont’s JoAnn Burton said she brought her 98-year-old mom, Francis Dorio, because her mom loved to dance.
“We can still tap our feet,” she said.
Many of the dancers said they either learned or refined their moves at the senior center’s weekly Thursday night dances, with lessons available at 6 p.m. before the 7 p.m. dances. Plus, several people said, the dances are an opportunity to socialize.
Longmont’s Doan Tran said she attends the Thursday dances with friends every week.
“We are young at heart,” she said. “We really enjoy music and dancing.”
Dennis and Gabi Ansay, visiting the area from Wisconsin, belong to a ballroom dancing club in their hometown and decided to try Sunday’s event while they were here.
“It’s outstanding,” Dennis Ansay said as he took a break from dancing. “It gets people out, dancing and listening to the music.”
Longmont’s Roy Salinas said he first decided to learn to dance because he “needed something to do.”
“It’s the greatest exercise in the world, because you don’t realize you’re exercising,” he said. “It’s absolute pure fun.”
His partner, Donna Donaldson of Fort Collins, loves to waltz and travels around Colorado to get her dancing fix.
“It’s my passion,” she said. “When you drive 100 miles just to dance for a couple of hours, that’s passion.”
Amy Bounds: 303-473-1341, boundsa@dailycamera.com or twitter.com/boundsa
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