Become A Dance Sponsor Life is better when you dance.
Who We Are
We started a ballroom club in 2004 as the River City Ballroom Dancers. Our mission has always been to provide a venue for dancing, learning, and to bring community to the area.
All events are open to everyone – no exceptions. This welcome is extended to all dance levels from first-day novices to tenured dancers with decades of experience. Singles, couples, and non-traditional pairings at all skill levels are equally embraced by the group. This is in contrast with many traditional ballroom groups that are closed, invitation only, couples’ events. We removed the “Ballroom” from our official name two years ago to reflect our wider vision.
What We Do
We hold monthly dances from September / October through April / May, each with a theme to foster new music, creative dress, and showcases. For the first hour of each dance event there is a dance lesson that includes two dance styles for the evening to ensure that all attendees have some basic skills to make the night enjoyable for them and so they can grown in dance. We typically have one live indoor band in the winter.
Each summer, we have two large, FREE outdoor events, “Swinging in the Streets” and “Salsa in the Street”. These events have become staple summertime events in Winona and incorporate live bands. These events have major sponsors to support these costs. They pull in hundreds of dance and music lovers of all ages. We feel they capture the charm and vibrancy of downtown Winona.
Our Monthly Dance Events
The open, welcoming spirit and environment have become a signature of the River City Dancers group and our events. Our brand is also known for inspired, well-curated music, and accessible lessons. We have regular attendees who travel from Rochester, Viroqua, Eau Claire, and La Crosse
These are some of the dance themes we have produced:
- Holiday Dance
- Winter Formal
- World Dance Café
- Monster Mash
- Blues in the Night
- Dancing Through the Decades
- Adult Prom
- Casino Royale
- A Night at the Movies
How We Operate
The events are usually held at the Winona Athletic club. Several other venues have been tried as we are always looking for a good floor with appropriate building / room atmosphere.
We are 501c3 governed by a board that meets twice per year and staffs the events.
Our indoor events have a door charge with a student rate. With the Winona Athletic Club hall rental, production, and decorating costs plus hiring one live indoor band per season, the club has had a consistent working balance between $800-3000 for our entire 20 year history.
The Next Steps
The club is looking for a funding basis that can support more live music, online promotional presence, and guest teachers. Our current initiative is to have individual sponsors for each indoor event to cover the hall costs ($250) making the door take available for increasing the span of awareness of our events, live music, and teaching.