A Life Without Century Ballroom

It's a great day in the life of all the dancers in Seattle, because if it didn't happen some years ago, none of us would be where we are today. Although I've only been dancing for about six months, it's difficult for me to imagine a life without the magic of Century Ballroom. And Century Ballroom wouldn't have existed was it not for its owner -- Hallie. But let me try, and paint the picture for you...

You wake up in the morning, well rested from a good night of sleep. For the past several months you've had no trouble getting in 10+ hours every night. What else have you to do? You weigh 300 pounds and the weight has only been increasing since you've moved to this new town. The highlight of your week will be coffee with mom on a Saturday afternoon. Saturday night will be spent doing the same thing you've done every single night since you got here. Watching TV, eating, and browsing facebook, on which you are proud to be friends with 53 acquaintances, 52 of which you know from high school and college.

Your new, painstakingly made friend, is a barista from Starbucks that is located on the first level of your work building. She gave you her information because she regularly posts updates on facebook about her blog called "eco-friendly recycling." You love that blog. She is very knowledgeable about the subject, although sometimes you wish there was more humor and life in her writing (shameless self-promotion. hehe) You've been looking into taking dance lessons, but are afraid of making a fool of yourself. After all, the classes offered locally bring in no more than 10 people per session and are mostly geared towards professionals and children. And there aren't many around anyways. Seattle's not that big on dancing, other than maybe in dorm-rooms and privately held parties. But you are not a student anymore, and technically have no access to all the dancers and their social circles. Which leaves you nothing else but your couch, and food...

The picture is grim and probably over-exaggerated a bit. But seriously, if there was no Century Ballroom, Seattle social dance scene would've been muuuch smaller, if existent at all. None of us would have 400 of our closest friends available to hug, listen, and take the mind off things at a moments notice. Nights would be passed painstakingly trying to think of what to do that's at least somewhat meaningful. The ones out would feel idly wasted anyways. Our friends would be all alike, and we'd have no social skills that are so helpful in other venues of life!

So Hallie, Happy Birthday, and thank you for making Century Ballroom happen. We appreciate your efforts, love the classes, and savor the dances. But most of all, we cherish the lifelong friendships made on the floor of Century, that would not have happened, if it wasn't for you.

THANK YOU!!!