Hartwell DDA Sponsoring Dance Lessons at Arts Center

Friday night and Saturday, Hart County and Hartwell residents will be celebrating their American independence a week early with the annual Pre-Fourth Celebrations.

The weekend of fun kicks off Friday night with the 19th annual Dancin’ on Depot in downtown Hartwell.

Literally thousands are expected to show up and come for a night dancing in the street, but maybe you have two left feet.

That doesn’t have to stop you from coming out to dance because the Hartwell Downtown Development Authority has started a new monthly dance class and there is one tonight – just in time for Friday night’s big dance.

DDA Executive Director Henley Cleary said the dance class is a fun time for everyone.

“The fourth Thursday of every month at the Arts Center, the DDA is sponsoring dance lessons,” Cleary said. “This lesson happens to fall on the day before Dancin’ on Depot. So, she’s going to concentrate on the shag, line dancing and dances appropriate for Friday night.”

Classes are just $5 and run from 7p to 9p.  Cleary said the classes are taught by a professional dance instructor from Atlanta.

“The teacher is Tammy Hutchinson. She has had a business in Atlanta for over 30 years teaching dancing and etiquette. So, she is a great teacher,” she said.

May was the first month for the dance classes and Cleary said over 80 people showed up.  And the good news is, you don’t have to bring a partner to take part in the dance classes, according to Cleary.

“You can come as a couple or you can come single because everyone mingles around and everyone dances with different people,” Cleary said. “Even the men had a good time last month.”

Again, the dance classes are held on the fourth Thursday of the month all year ’round at the Art Center on the square in downtown Hartwell.

Tickets are $5 and no reservations are required.  To get more information, contact the Hartwell DDA office at 706-376-0180.