We Can Dance if We Want To: Legendary Dine and Dance Club Returns to Coronado
It all began in 1946, as the story goes. The townspeople who lived in Coronado desired a dance club. The Officer’s Club on base hosted get-togethers and dances, but numerous of the locals could not show up at. So, the villagers set their heads and hearts together, and came up with an thought: they would get started their have meal and dance club.
They referred to as it the Coronado Crown Club. It’s now on its 75th 12 months.
“This custom is so meaningful since we are living in a village,” states Glory Palecek, who serves as club’s co-president, along with her husband, Jim, who have lived on the island because 1999. “This is a thing that villagers do. They dance and they have get-togethers.”
But this year, items are transforming a little bit. 1st off, there is the identify: it is now Dine and Dance Coronado. Next, the club isn’t special to married couples.
“We’ve joined the 21st century, and it is now a couples club, and we never discriminate in opposition to any partners. All are welcome,” says Jim. “It can be anybody that would like to dance jointly, eat and have entertaining.”
Just after a lengthy hiatus in the course of the global pandemic (the past dance was in March 2020), the club programs to open up up the dance floor on Saturday, December 11th. The five prepared dances this 12 months will all be held at the Nautilus Area at the Coronado Community Center, an perfect location for place, views and entry to lots of new air.
Jim and Glory say the club is enthusiastic to welcome new customers and invite a fresh, modern day vitality.
“We really want new folks and we seriously want more youthful people to hold this tradition going,” states Glory.
Although some matters are unique, the general structure is the same. At 6:30, the room opens for a cocktail hour and at 7:30, the guests sit down to dine. Right after evening meal, the 16-piece band strikes up a chord and the guests dance, mingle, and get pleasure from the songs. The best component? You really do not have to be an amazing dancer.
“Sure, we do the Foxtrot and swing, we do all of it,” states Jim. “We have waltzes and salsa and line dancing. Even the YMCA. Some folks genuinely know how to dance! And some never at all. And which is wonderful.”
The December 11th dance is open up initial to users, couples who spend the demanded $250 a year to get very first dibs on dances. If the dance does not fill up, other community customers are invited to sign up for in the exciting. You can be part of as a few (by the way, you can be an individual however be a part of as a few, inviting whom you pick out to each and every dance) or you can indication up as a visitor to try out it out. Only indication up on the organization’s web page, www.dineanddancecoronado.com. Local community members are permitted to try out up to two dances following that, they ought to enroll as a member, offered there is room.
The December and February dances will rejoice the holiday seasons and Valentine’s Working day, respectively, but the other dances will probably element a theme. In accordance to Glory, the club’s “Downton Abbey” concept was unforgettable and festive. The Oct 2022 dance will most probable be an “Arts Ball,” in conjunction with the Coronado Artwork Association.
“$160 a few for dinner, a dance with a live band, and booze…that’s a pretty excellent offer,” says Glory. “But which is why we have a membership, for the reason that the charge for the dances rarely covers the value.”
Jim and Glory, who to start with attended a dance about 5 years back, claimed they ended up hooked from the start.
“We beloved the persons. It’s just exciting,” says Jim. “You just buzz close to an hour prior to you sit down, and get to know every person … this working day in age, people today are on their telephones and personal computers so substantially, relying on them for entertainment. What is missing is the private conversation, and you get this right here.”
The firm, which functions as a non-earnings, is operate by group associates with the unique objective of offering a festive, particular encounter. And it is a single that club associates under no circumstances want to shed.
“It’s one of a kind,” suggests Glory. “There utilized to be a lot of dance golf equipment but there just are not any longer. It is form of a tradition that has value in alone. Dancing is this kind of a communal activity. Even if men and women do not dance, they take pleasure in the experience, they like currently being there.”
Jim and Glory say that Dine and Dance Coronado is just just one of the a lot of traditions—like the Fourth of July Parade or the Coronado Flower Show—that make the island a unique place to live.
“Joy is an significant portion of everyday living,” states Glory. “But if you really don’t have local community, you cannot have pleasure. And which is the base line.”
Completely ready to strap on your dancing shoes? Visit DineandDanceCoronado.com to understand more.
