Center offers array of unique classes

While most IU students spend their Wednesday nights studying, hanging out with friends or catching up on their favorite TV shows, senior Sara Deckard passes the time a different way: as a line dance instructor at the Bloomington Adult Community Center.\nDeckard’s classes, Beginning and Intermediate Line Dance, are two of the classes offered this spring at the center. Run by Bloomington Parks and Recreation, the classes vary from ballroom dancing to poetry writing workshops. Deckard said they are a great way to meet people and stay in shape. \n“I danced for years and years,” Deckard said. “I knew a girl who taught here before and she graduated, so she asked me if I would be interested.”\nDeckard said the classes offer benefits for people of all ages, including college students.\n“It’s close to campus, it’s fun and it’s a good exercise,” said Deckard, who started teaching in the fall. “They’ve got a great facility, and it’s just nice to have once a week.”\nThe exercise element is a key reason for many participants to sign up, such as 19-year-old Ashley Morris, a participant in Beginning Line Dance. She and a few co-workers signed up for an opportunity to work out and learn a new talent.\n“Country line dancing’s kind of random, so we all wanted to do it,” Morris said. “It’s good exercise and a lot of good laughs. It’s nice to get everyone together. Someone showed us the brochure and we thought it was neat, so we signed up.”\nMichael Simmons, adult program specialist at the center, said classes at the center are for adults 18 and older, but the median age is between 35 and 45.\n“The classes are affordable so they are available to the whole community,” Simmons said. “They’re a great way to facilitate the sharing of information.”\nHe also said anyone seeking to learn more about Bloomington and make new friends should take advantage of the classes.\n“You take away not only skill, but also a sense of the Bloomington community,” Simmons said. \nHe said the classes are successful and often have waiting lists, but some classes still have space. Contact the cemter for more information or visit the Parks and Recreation Web site at www.bloomington.in.gov/parks.