"Salsa -- it's not just a side dish anymore."
Donna Plummer, who is developing a new arts program at Our Lady of Peace Catholic School, developed the catch phrase as a way to drum up interest in the four-week class.
The classes are taught by instructors from Augusta's Ballroom in Motion.
Plummer encourages anyone who is interested in learning to salsa to take the class, even if they do not have a partner.
"The neat thing about the Spanish tradition is that you don't have to have a partner," Plummer said. "Everybody dances with everybody."
Students will be able show off their new skills to authentic Latin music at the "Nights in Havana" dance on Nov. 21.
Members of the church's Latin community will provide authentic Latin snacks and desserts for the occasion.
The classes and dance are fundraisers for the Our Lady of Peace art program, named ADaM (which stands for Art, Drama and Music). The dance instructors are donating their time and talent to the program.
"All of the profit (from the class) comes straight to us," Plummer said.
Pupils at Our Lady of Peace have had a smattering of art classes in the past, but instruction was given by the student's regular teacher.
The new program includes a structured music program taught by music teacher Pam Grab. A newly formed drama club will perform a musical, Jesus Loves You Snow Much He Gave You a Candy Cane , Dec. 11.
Art classes are producing props for the play, Plummer said.
She said the arts program is soft-funded, which means there is no money in Our Lady of Peace's budget for it. Plummer, who volunteers her time to get the program going, is actively raising money to pay Grab's salary as well as pay for materials.
The salsa classes are only one of her fundraising efforts. The program recently received a grant from the Greater Augusta Arts Council for $200, which allowed her to buy musical instruments.
A Christian rock concert by Silent Resolution in May raised $800 toward the program, Plummer said.
Salsa classes begin Thursday and will be held each Thursday through Nov. 19 from 7-8 p.m. The cost is $30 per person. For more information, contact the school office at (803) 279-8396 or e-mail donnadplummer@comcast.net.
Reach Lisa Kaylor at lisa.kaylor@northaugustatoday.com.
IF YOU GO:
WHAT: Salsa Dance Lessons
WHEN: 7-8 p.m. on four consecutive Thursdays, beginning Oct. 29
WHERE: Murphy Hall, Our Lady of Peace Catholic School
COST: $30 per person
CONTACT: (803) 279-8396
