Get plenty of exercise while having fun and meeting like-minded individuals at a series of social dancing classes starting next month.

Dance instructor Valerie Lorenz has been dancing, performing, studying and teaching dance for 20 years. She will start the first in a series of social dancing classes on Sept. 5 at the Firefly Ballroom in the Franklin House Hotel located on Cumberland Street East in Cowan.

Classes will be held every Tuesday for four weeks with beginner class at 6 p.m. followed by intermediate class at 7 p.m. Each class will be 50 minutes of instruction and practice. Cost is $10 per class, payable at the door.

The series of classes will be continued indefinitely in sessions of four weeks with a different dance each session. Other dance series coming up will cover the waltz, foxtrot, tango, hustle, nightclub two-step, West Coast swing, cha-cha, rumba and salsa with the schedule to be decided.

The waltz, with its turning, embracing couples is characterized by a step, slide, and step in 3/4 time. The foxtrot is a smooth, progressive dance characterized by long, continuous flowing movements across the dance floor. Tango is characterized by sharp, staccato movements and a passionate attitude.

The hustle is a fast, upbeat dance that has many similarities to the swing dancing of the 1930s and 1940s. The nightclub two-step is a slow dance that is perfect for nightclubs, parties or wedding dancing. West Coast swing is a form of swing dancing that is danced in a slot to moderate tempo blues, R&B and, in recent times, contemporary music.

The cha-cha is a fast ballroom dance of Latin American origin that follows a rhythmic pattern based upon a quick three-step movement.The rumba is a ballroom dance best known for the dancers’ subtle side-to-side hip movements with the torso erect with a basic pattern of two quick side steps and a slow forward step. Salsa is an energetic dance that is easy to learn and is fantastic for all ages and dancing abilities.

For more information, contact instructor Valerie Lorenz at luelllarosevalerielorenz@gmail.com or text 931-691-3168.