Latin dance in Warwick

Tango exhibition in July, classes to start in August Warwick — Maria Gutierrez’s passion is dancing. She was born into it, grew up on it, and now wants to spread her love of dance to the entire Warwick community. “I just want to keep that part of my culture going,” said Gutierrez, whose mother was a professional Rumba dancer in Cuba and herself was a professional dancer in her teens and 20s. And she is doing her part. About a year ago, Gutierrez started La Montiel Dance at the Warwick Community Center. Every Wednesday at 7 p.m., she and her fellow dance director, Eric Ferrar, teach Latin dance, including the Rumba, the Cha-Cha, the Mambo, the Salsa and the Merengue. Every second and fourth Friday, there also is a dance social so people can come out and show off what they’ve learned. “We hold the socials each month,” said Gutierrez. “There is a dance class and an opportunity to meet new people, dance and practice what we’ve learned. And we serve light refreshments.” On July 22, Gutierrez said the Hudson Valley Tango Association is coming to the community center to give a free tango exhibition, instruction, with dancing and a social to follow. Then, they will teach the tango on Fridays in August. A tango social will be held on the fourth Saturday of the month. The class will be taught by Walter and MariLynne Kane. “I wanted to bring these dances back,” said Gutierrez. “They benefit people in so many ways.” Gutierrez can see the effects on a regular basis. She volunteers to teach dance at the Stone House Senior Center and Mt. Alverno each week. “The health and mental health benefits of music and dance are great,” she said. “There are studies on it. It is fun to do and good exercise.” If you really want to have fun, La Montiel Dance at the community center also has an adult belly dancing class each Friday at 5:15 p.m. Taught by a physician, the proceeds from this class are sent to a mental health association in Turkey. Ballroom dancing will begin in the fall, with details to come. Besides her love of dancing, Gutierrez enjoys the social aspect of the lessons and the parties. “The social atmosphere—that’s the important thing about dancing,” she said. “I want people to get in there, see it, and not to be afraid of it. It is so simple and fun. There are just four steps in a salsa! So many people come in and say ‘that’s it!’ One class, baby, and you’re salsa dancing at a wedding.” Each class costs $15, with all monies from the classes, except for the belly dancing, going directly to the community center. For more information, contact Gutierrez at 987-1770.