Wednesday, April 24, 2024
Lou Campbell calls it “love to dance time, not show time.”
Don’t expect “Dancing with the Stars” at dance lessons offered by Lou and Laura Campbell. Celebrating their 55th anniversary this month, the couple has announced dance lessons beginning Thursday and continuing through the summer.
“I hope people can get out of the self-isolation blues and join us for dance lessons,” Campbell said. “If for no other reason than for the exercise.”
IN THE FAMILY
Campbell first learned to dance from his mother. She would move furniture around in the kitchen to make room to dance at their home on a cattle ranch in Colorado.
While attending college in 1959, Campbell met a student from Cuba who was a very good dancer, but not so good at speaking English.
“He showed me the Latin dances, and I helped him with English,” Campbell explained. “We really hit it off.”
Campbell was soon fluent in the cha-cha, tango, the paso doble and others. In fact, he began teaching at the Arthur Murray dance studio and became part of a band playing Latin music.
As a senior in college, Campbell was teaching dance at college when he met his future bride, Laura. He still refers to Laura as his bride, preferring the term over “wife.”
Their first date was a dinner dance on campus. They married in 1965.
DANCING AT FAMOUS VENUES
Campbell remembers a special dance at the Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles in 1967.
“All the major dance bands had played there. There was a magnificent ballroom surrounded by dining tables,” Campbell said.
The couple watched as a 22-piece orchestra struggled to play “The Twist.” Campbell approached and suggested the band play a tango.
“And they did,” he said.
Campbell said he and Laura took the floor as other dancers made room.
“It wasn’t show time,” he commented. “It was having a good time.”
While Campbell was leading theater, opera and dance departments at universities across the world, the couple was able to travel and dance at legendary venues in London, Vienna and others.
Cambell, 78, and his bride Laura, 75, have three daughters living in Fort Worth, Keller and Fredericksburg. They also have two granddaughters and two grandsons.
READY TO TEACH YOU
After moving to Granbury last fall, the Campbells became acquainted with Jim and Melanie Malone, owners of Granbury Ballet and Dance Arts Academy at Granbury Square Plaza. The two couples struck a deal.
The Campbells will offer dance lessons, from ballroom to Texas two-step, all summer at the Malones’ dance studio.
The hourly sessions runs $25 per person or $45 per couple. They have special rates for a dance card package and discounts for active military, veterans and seniors over 55. Reservations can be made by calling Campbell at 817-888-5616. Payments will be cash only.
Mesquite Pit and Ketlzer’s Schnitzel Haus and Biergarten will offer early bird specials on Thursdays prior to the dance lessons. Call ahead to place your order for quick service. Campbell has also arranged for complementary Texas wines from Baron’s Creek Vineyards at the studio prior to dance lessons.
dschneider@hcnews.com | 817-573-7066, ext. 255
