Dale Marhefka’s enthusiasm for dancing is a huge part of his life, and he lets the music guide his feet.
He had the chance to dance with a lady he met in Pittsburgh, but he let fear get in the way.
When he finally worked up the nerve to dance with her, he put his own spin on West Coast swing.
“It’s the Dale coast. A little of this, a little of that,” he said with a laugh. “It’s my own little coast.”
Marhefka now lives in The Villages and dances with the West Coast Swing Group, which he helped form a few months ago. The club meets at Pimlico Recreation Center on Wednesdays from 4:30-5:30 p.m.
Marhefka has dabbled in a number of dances over the years, including the cha-cha, two-step and both East and West Coast swing. The East Coast features more circular steps, but the West Coast is a slotted dance, which means the partner keeps their location on the floor. The West Coast swing has a few fundamental maneuvers, such as the sugar push, tuck turn, basket and whip.
“I’m no expert, but I have a smile on my face and a warm spot in my heart,” he said. “I enjoy the health benefit of it.”
The company has developed fast since its inception with three additional dancers.
“It started off with the four of us, and now we have 18-22 people every Wednesday,” Marhefka remarked, adding that five more members had recently joined.
He has met many of his friends via dance throughout the years.
“Dance, to me, has been the basis of meeting great people,” said Marhefka, of the Village of Silver Lake.
It took some time for him to get into the West Coast swing, but Marhefka is pleased he did.
“Before, I would not get out on the floor to dance West Coast swing, but I liked the other dances,” he said. “It’s given me the nerve to get out there and on the floor. It keeps me healthy.”
Dance has provided Marhefka, who has lived in The Villages for over eight years, with more than simple physical health advantages.
“I’ve met so many wonderful people through dance,” he said. “If you can come up with that wellness in your heart, you can spread that to your relationships.”
The West Coast swing not only keeps him active, but it also improves his mental health.
“It gives me something to look forward to every week,” he said. “It’s made me a happy guy in The Villages.”