ABOUT US

 The Tidewater Chapter # 6008, USA Dance, Inc. was formed November 3, 1990 as the Tidewater Chapter #608, United States Ballroom Dancers Association (USABDA).  Its first set of Officers were:

 President – Wanda Smith
1^st Vice President – Thomas Jay Brumbley
2^nd Vice President – Ed Hudgins
Secretary – Barbara Haga
Treasurer – Alice Watkins

The initial membership was 46 with the Chapter peaking at more than 250 in 1994.  Currently, membership stands at 132.

 The dances were first held at Princess Ann Plaza Recreation Center but through the years there have been many venues, including the Khedive Hall in Chesapeake, Princess Ann Convention Center, an former bowling alley, the Khedive Hall in downtown Norfolk, and now in the Knights of Columbus Hall in the Ocean View area of Norfolk.  Before they ended several years ago, the 2^nd Sunday Tea Dances were held in the Roma Lodge in Virginia Beach and the DancesportVA studio.  The Tea Dances were halted because of economics – not enough attendance to make it cost effective.

 The Chapter was known as one of the few Chapters that always featured live bands for the Monthly dances.  This ended for two reasons:  the bands were not agreeable to playing the strict tempo required by ballroom dancers and the cost became prohibitive.  The only live music we now use is our own local Roberto.

 Annual New Year’s Dance and Workshops.

The one constant for the Chapter has been the New Year’s Dance and Workshops event.  This is the venue that supports the losses from the Monthly dances and provides the funding for the Chapter’s Youth Dance Scholarship program.  We are now in our 21st year for this event.  .  We are now in our 20th^th year for this event.  It has provided more than $12,000 in scholarships for our young people to help them attain their dance vision.