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Leighton: Wannabe celebrities aren't the only ones who can dance


Dancing with the stars? Celebrities on ice? Wherever the world of primetime TV takes us, I happily go along for the ride.

I really get a kick out of seeing people who have faded from the spotlight try to extend their 15 minutes of fame just a few moments longer.

This trend for B-list celebrity renewal via competitive sports does not seem to be slowing in the least, so I decided to take a stab at ballroom dancing. I wanted to see if the snaky judges had any right to be snaky with my beloved ex-49er, Jerry Rice, who is on his way to the finals in ABC's "Dancing with the Stars" this Thursday night.

I entered the Paragon Dance Center, located at Elliot and Rural in Tempe, with visions of my husband and myself doing some steamy Latin moves dancing through my head.

The anticipation of a ballroom dancing trophy made my hands slick with sweat.

We paid $5 a piece (a smoking deal) for the Friday night beginner cha-cha lessons, and began our quest for glory.

I quickly found out that if I wanted a trophy in this arena, I'd need a new partner.

While athletically gifted, my husband has not just two left feet, but several.

There were close to 120 other people there, of all ages, sizes and abilities. The instructor was very efficient and in almost no time at all, everyone was doing the cha-cha. Sort of.

Then, the instructor had the great idea for all of the guys to rotate around the room, thereby giving all of us gals a new partner. I really felt for the girls down the line from me who were next in line with Rico Un-Suave, but quickly forgot about it when I got a peek at who I was slated to dance with.

I am not an overly tall person, but what came next was ridiculous.

The next seven guys had a combined height of four and a half feet, and just wanted to throw me around the floor. The last of the seven gave me some words of advice, "You are a tall woman. Never, ever, slouch for us guys. We are here for you, you make us work for it!"

Definitely words to live by.

Perhaps this was going to work after all. In spite of the vertically challenging aspect, it was more fun than I have had in a long time, and I was sober. It was exhilarating. I thought, those stars are onto something!

I thought too soon, though, because the next few moves involved spins, and I was a whirling dervish of a wreck.

Luckily, one guy pulled me aside and worked with me until I got it right, and I was soon back on track for the silver disco-ball trophy.

Judging from the determined looks on the other girls' faces, and their obvious disappointment when a good male partner was temporarily rotated beyond their reach, I was not alone.

I asked Kim Campos, who owns the Paragon with her husband, about her experiences with this phenomenon.

"It's had a huge impact," she said. "People have been calling; dropping in. ["Dancing with the stars"] has increased the awareness of ballroom dancing. It's been wonderful. We get a lot of ASU students — we love them. They bring an energy with them that is just great!"

The Paragon Dance Center is so aware of this craze that they have secured two of the "Dancing with the Stars" dancers for two workshops and an evening performance on March 25.

Campos says they expect to sell out, so visit www.paragondance.net for all of the information.

I'll be there. I am addicted to dancing, and I have to find a new partner. Maybe if I find two short ones, I can stack them up.

Angi Leighton is a senior psychology major, and can be found pasting sequins on her body parts, or at angela.leighton@asu.edu .


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