"Forward, spin turn, and maneuverÖand ladies across." The soothing, melodic voice of Glenn Kelley gently guides the circular group of couples into their next move, while the soft sounds of ballroom music fill the room, interrupted only with the "step-slide" of moving feet. The swishing of the ladies' skirts as the circle goes round and the smile on each turning face is a reminder of the joy found in simple things.
The music wanes, the feet come to a halt, the couples draw apart, and Glenn once again makes his way to the middle of the circle, and his outstretched hand is joined with that of his wife's. Together the two begin teaching the next moves, as the couples around them watch in concentration, anticipating the final outcome--that perfect harmony between two dancers as they glide effortlessly, as one, across the room.
Dancing is one of the world's oldest pastimes and there are myriad styles and preferences. While some dancers prefer to make moves up as they go, more and more people are choosing to learn choreographed dances like the tango, cha-cha, and waltz.
"The interest in [choreographed] dancing has gone up recently thanks to broader interest, through shows like 'Dancing with the Stars,'" said Rosalee Kelley, who helps run the Lexington round dance group Rhythm Rounds, with her husband, Glenn.
Round dancing is a type of dance instruction, but what makes it unique is that it incorporates many different dance moves, like the two-step, tango, and rumba, and, like square dancing, has a caller who cues the dancers' movements.
"It's synchronized ballroom dancing," said Glenn Kelley, who is the group's caller, or cuer. "It incorporates dance moves like the two-step and Foxtrot--just to ballroom-type music. There's a caller, who cues the movements ahead of time throughout the song. This way couples can dance a variety of dances but don't have to memorize the whole dance--it gives couples versatility."
Rhythm Rounds has been a non-profit dance group in Lexington for 31 years, and although it used to be part of the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government's Division of Parks and Recreation, is now independently run by the Kelleys. The couple moved to Lexington 31 years ago from Ohio, where they were first introduced to square dancing, then round dancing.
"It's not quite as old as square dancing, but I would say it still dates back," said Glenn, who with his wife, has been dancing for over 40 years, instructing for 20, and round dancing for 35. "We really have a good time and it's a great way to spend time together."
Glenn is the third cuer since Rhythm Rounds' creation three decades ago. "To be a good cuer you have to have good diction, a good speaking voice, and be able to stay a number of moves ahead (so you can call it right)," said Glenn. As the cuer, Glenn has to study the chosen music ahead of time, select steps to fit each measure of music, and be able to cue the dancers so that everyone has enough time to make the transition.
Both Glenn and Rosalee are retired--Glenn from the federal government and Rosalee from local government--and now their favorite hobby has become their weekly "job" and main source of entertainment.
Although ballroom dancing, and round dancing, usually seems to be a fairly relaxed activity, square dancing isn't--so don't get the wrong idea. To observe is to see a wave of synchronized, fluid movements set to Glenn's soft, easy voice--a circle of couples floating along a breeze, all wearing smiles, all looking totally at ease, but according to the dancers, it's no small feat.
"It's a mental and physical exercise," said Glenn. "New people don't need any prior dancing experience; it's pretty easy to pick up. You might have some problems if you have a hard time finding the rhythm, but that's about it."
The group meets every Wednesday night at the Tates Creek Recreation Center on Gainesway Drive. There is normally a clinic, or instructional time, between 7-8 p.m., then dancing until 10 p.m. There are new member classes offered on Tuesdays, but these won't start until September.
"Members usually average between 50-70 people, with most of the constants being empty nesters or retirees--but young people DO attend," said Rosalee. "It's just that the young people can't stay with the group for a long time because they move, get jobs, and have other things going onÖand we completely understand. We weren't able to do much when our children were living at home."
Members pay a small fee ($45 for six months) and pay $2 at the door each week, which goes toward renting the recreation center.
As leaders of Rhythm Rounds, Glenn and Rosalee travel to different dance-related conventions, picking up new moves and watching some of the genre's better dancers strut their stuff.
"There aren't competitions at these conventions; they just tend to draw out the better dancers," said Rosalee. "It's just a way to go out and meet people, dance, and have a good time."
"Round dancing is done all over the world--in Japan and Germany," said Rosalee. "People come from all over to attend this club's dances. We have members from New York state, West Virginia, Frankfort, and Louisville. This is the biggest dance organization in the state."
"One Japanese girl used to come from Somerset," added Glenn. "Although she didn't speak any English, she was taught the English words for the moves back in Japan. It was very big over there."
No matter where you call home, or what type of dancing you prefer, dancing is a pastime enjoyed the world over.
To become a member or to find out more on Rhythm Rounds, call Glenn or Rosalee Kelley at 859-233-9947.