SINGAPORE: Ballroom Dancing is Latest Rage for Seniors

Photo by Courtesy: Singapore Ballroom Dance Teachers' Association SINGAPORE (The Straits Times), May 14, 2006: Ballroom dancing is back in fashion for the elderly in Singapore. They dance to forget their worries to remember the good old days or simply to socialize. Nightclubs have started opening during the afternoon to cater for their needs. And professional dancing instructors offer their services to those who might not have a partner. Pensioners are hitting the dancefloor in Singapore. The thirty to eighty are slipping on their dancing shoes to join afternoon ballroom sessions. With loads of free time on their hands, senior citizens are spearheading the movement. During weekdays, housewives and retirees love to dance. At the weekends they are replaced by professionals and executives. For many retired, dancing brings back memories of old days when they danced in hotel ballrooms. For others, it helps them forget their worries. Though ballroom dancing went out of fashion in the 1990's, it coming back thanks to TV shows such as 'So you think you can dance' or 'Ballroom bootcamp'. More and more senior citizens are taking dancing lessons. Many elderly women are also hiring the services of Filipino instructors who accompany them on the dancing sessions. Indeed previously there was a shortage of male partners. Over the last three years, the number of individual dance teachers has jumped from 3 to 40. Copyright Singapore Press Holdings Ltd.