When a friend recently invited me to try a beginner dance class at Arthur Murray Dance Center in downtown Santa Barbara, my first reaction was an emphatic “absolutely not!”
I couldn’t even believe he was doing it.
Before I’d taken a single step on the dance floor, I already felt uncomfortable, embarrassed and certain I’d be hopelessly clumsy.
Buying myself some time, I promised to respond within 24 hours. During my deliberation period, I consulted several friends who found the whole idea hilarious but encouraged me to give it a try. They suggested I might even have fun — imagine that!
This pause gave me time to examine why I was so afraid to try something new. Sure, I’d grown up watching Arthur and Kathryn Murray’s show, The Arthur Murray Party, and more recently enjoyed Silver Linings Playbook, Dancing with the Stars and Dirty Dancing.
In my younger years, I was even considered a good dancer, though my repertoire stopped at the jitterbug and cheek-to-cheek dancing at weddings.
But ballroom dancing at this stage of my life? I wasn’t preparing for a mother-of-the-bride moment or practicing for my first dance as a newlywed.
From left, Arthur Murray Dance Center instructors Kristin Salazar, Sonja Omdahl, Valerie O’Hagan, Drew Miller, Allison Felix and Grace Schuck. Credit: Judy Foreman / Noozhawk photo 
Kristin Salazar and Drew Miller are ready to lead you to ballroom dance glory at Arthur Murray Dance Center in downtown Santa Barbara. Credit: Judy Foreman / Noozhawk photo 
Trophy cases are full of prize hardware at Arthur Murray Dance Center in Santa Barbara. Credit: Judy Foreman / Noozhawk photo 
Kristin Salazar and Drew Miller. Credit: Judy Foreman / Noozhawk photo
Eventually, pride got the better of me. It seemed ridiculous to be afraid at this point in my life, so I agreed to attend the one-time guests-of-members night — though I contemplated backing out all day.
I changed my outfit countless times, trying to find something comfortable with shoes that wouldn’t abandon me midstep.
The studio — which has been at 222 W. Carrillo St., Suite C, up a dimly lit stairway on the side of the CVS building, for 30 years — is the second-oldest dance franchise in California, opening in Santa Barbara in 1948.
Inside, I found bright lights, glossy high-polished dance floors, a crystal chandelier, and trophy cases showcasing the studio’s many dance competition victories past and present.
Except for my friend, I knew absolutely no one — a rare occurrence for someone who’s lived in Santa Barbara for nearly 40 years. It felt like the first day of kindergarten all over again.
I met co-owner Kristen Salazar, a Santa Barbara native who took her first lesson in 2006 at her parents’ insistence (they’ve been students for two decades).
After signing the requisite “please don’t sue us if you land on your derrière” forms, I joined the other nervous newcomers as friendly instructors Sonia Omdahl, Valerie O’Hagan, Grace Shuck and Allison Felix worked to lighten the mood.
We started with women on one side, men on the other — very cotillion-esque. My emotion of choice was nervous laughter, while others opted for silent squirming.
A few second-timers seemed more at ease, and two couples were actual life partners outside the studio.
Then came the music and our first move: the box step. Sequencing isn’’t my strong suit, but I figured this might be the brain workout my doctor keeps recommending.
The instructors made everything look simple and elegant while I kept questioning why I’d agreed to this humiliating experience.
As we progressed through the fox trot, salsa, cha-cha and jitterbug — rotating partners throughout — I realized I wasn’t the only one counting steps and struggling with coordination.
People gradually loosened up, cracking jokes and actually feeling the music rather than staring at their feet.
One of my dance partners, a regular student who seemed as nervous as me, maintained the serious expression of someone preparing for final exams.
He’s since become hooked on classes and even bought dance shoes. While his ultimate goals remain a mystery, he appears happy stepping out of his comfort zone.
Truth be told, I was breaking a sweat and exhausted, but I was having fun — even if I had to laugh at myself when catching glimpses of my backside in the mirror. What a workout!
I drove home that night both laughing and exhilarated, barely able to sleep from the excitement and overstimulation.
When my friend called the next day to check if I’d survived, all I could do was laugh. I felt silly but absolutely elated.
While you won’t see me on TV or at dance competitions anytime soon, I might take a few more lessons and see if it’s something fun to add to my exercise routine.
Just trying something new and moving out of my safe zone was thought-provoking. There I was, on a cold, winter night downtown, joining a lovely group of locals who were simply enjoying the music, camaraderie and getting lost in a world of dance and fun.
When friends asked how it went, I had to admit it was fun, exhausting and a bit stressful.
Learning anything new at any age can be challenging and awkward, and this dance experience definitely was for me.
But hey, nothing rivals taking the written test at the DMV.
Click here for more information about Arthur Murray Santa Barbara.
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