Chicago Dance Supply-Dance Shoes and Apparel for Men, Women and Children-Spotlight on: Bob and Penny Urbon--BallroomChicago.com

At the corner of Kimball and Ardmore stands the Congregation Shaare Tikvah. I park in the free parking lot and follow the colorful signs for "Ballroom Dancing" down the quiet halls of the the synagogue. In a few short turns I hear the music: perhaps a fox trot? I pass a table that display flyers of upcoming ballroom events. I know I'm close. Then I see it: the spacious wood floor, the strung lights within a dimly lit room, and at least a dozen couples on the floor strutting their stuff. It is BallroomChicago.com. It is the home of Bob and Penny Urbon. Every first Sunday of the month is open dancing. For $8 between 1-4pm there is opportunity to dance and socialize on what some say is "The Best Dance Floor in Chicago" according BallroomChicago.com. There are light refreshments. A wonderful selection of Ballroom music is enjoyed from a stereo sound system controlled by a laptop. Couples call each other by first names and relax at circular banquet tables which boarder the perimeter of the room. "Hello! Have we met?" Bob offers me a warm smile and a comfortable handshake. He's kind enough to chat with me between running the open dance session and teaching his private lesson. He points out people by name. "Most of them are my students but there are some visiting from other dance clubs. There's President Terry McNulty and Director Ellen McNulty from Dance World. Rick Rodriguez over there is a teacher (formerly of Chicago Dance). That's Tim Place, he's a competitive ballroom dancer." He points to a couple holding hands in the corner. "They have trouble walking, but still they come to dance. He taught at Arthur Murray." Since selling his studio, Chicago Dance, to Tommye Giacchino and Gregory Day 6 years ago, he has continued his mission to get dance out to the Chicagoland community. Although he may have fond memories of running a studio, he feels relieved of the burdens of running a business. "I don't miss it. I'm retired now and I do this for the pleasure of it, not because I have to." He actively updates his website, BallroomChicago.com to include the classes, workshops and competitions in the Chicagoland area. He teaches group and private lessons with his wife, Penny. And every New Year's Eve he throws a big party. "I cooked the food in the past, but this year we decided to go to a restaurant instead," he says with a sheepish grin. Rick Rodriguez leads me to the floor. "Let's see how you follow!" I just told him that although I am a trained dancer, I still have yet to learn how to Ballroom. I love to watch, although at times I feel I'm eavesdropping: Each couple connected in conversation yet not saying a word. Right now the dance is Salsa. "You have good hip movement!" I laugh but I try very hard to follow, but at times I seem to anticipate. That's when I trip over my own toes. Thus the hip movement. I'm just catching my balance. I meet 55 year old Katharina Welti began dancing one and a half years ago and is now setting her sights toward competition. "I have to have goals. One of them is to be able to dance all the time when I retire." She studies Tango, Waltz, Fox Trot and Quick Step. "I study International. I want to be able to go home to Germany and dance in their style." This February she will compete at the Bronze Level at the Indiana Challenge with her seasoned dance partner, Tim Place. She's been training since September 2005. "It's my way to exercise and relax." For more information about Ballroom in and around Chicago contact Bob and Penny Urbon at Bob@BallroomChicago.com and see their website at www.BallroomChicago.com
Bob and Penny Urbon	Kathy Stewart shows off her shoes from Chicago Dance Supply	Rick Rodriguez and partner dancing the tango	Bob leads the Samba
Click here to return to the CDS Gazette Archive
		5301 N. Clark St. Fl.2 Chicago, IL 60640 773.728.5344 leni@chicagodancesupply.com Open Daily