FCC Members Get a Kick Out of Line Dancing

Frankie Fitzjarrald's high-beginner line dancing class has nearly 40 students that regularly attend. Her classes are included with FCC membership at no additional cost.

By Russ Alman, Communications Director  

​Line dancing has become one the most popular activities at Foothills Community Center (FCC), largely due to the dedicated instruction and leadership of Frankie Fitzjarrald.

Frankie, 81, initially became interested in line dancing through her parents, who retired in Arizona. They were active in line dancing classes there and Frankie would join them. She enjoyed the activity so much that when she retired 32 years ago, she started teaching classes herself. “I had too much fun and decided, ‘I can teach this better than these guys can,’” she joked. “So I started teaching and I taught in Arizona for 20 years.”

She continued teaching when she moved to Wenatchee. Eight years ago, she began offering classes at FCC, with the only break due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Her classes have become extremely popular and continue to grow. Her Monday “beginner” class has around 40 students and fills the dance floor. “Most of them show up all the time because it’s so much fun,” she laughed.

Frankie Fitzjarrald has been teaching line dancing classes for over 30 years.

While line dancing is most often associated with country or western music, Frankie also includes a broader array of genres into her classes to appeal to a wider audience, including waltzes, cha-chas, mambos, rock ‘n’ roll and disco. “I really enjoy dancing to country. It’s got a good beat and it’s easy to follow,” she said. “Rock ‘n’ roll is just fun… All of them are fun… fun to learn.”

Frankie sees increasing interest in line dancing among younger generations. “There’s been a lot of line dance going on in the valley now and I think it’s just coming back. And I think that’s going to draw the younger people — and I’ve gotten a few of them already — so they can go out in the evenings and line dance.”

Classes are held on Mondays and Fridays on the dance floor in the FCC Social Hall. “High beginner” class runs from 10-10:45 a.m. and “beginner” class from 10:45-11:30 a.m. Many of the participants in the first class stay for the second.

Most students have never line danced before taking her classes. Most of those in the high beginner class had never line danced before either. “All’s you have to do is use your mind and your body. But you have to think because you have to learn the steps,” she said.

Frankie said that line dancing is an excellent activity for people with dementia. “I’ve been to many seminars in Arizona and Las Vegas and Southern California, and that’s what they would focus on: to stave off Alzheimer’s and keep your body moving when you reach retirement age.”

Line dancing is very complementary to the Stay Active and Independent for Life (SAIL) classes held at FCC — some members participate in both activities.

If you are interested in trying your hand — or your feet — at line dancing, there is still room. “You don’t have to be far apart when you line dance,” she said.

The classes are free for members. Anyone over 18 can join Foothills Community Center and participate in line dancing — or any of the classes and activities. “We even allow men,” she joked, “and we have men — not a whole lot — but they enjoy it as much as the women do. But they have to wanna dance!”

Students with physical and developmental disabilities are also welcome to participate. There are students who take the class with the help of their personal assistant.

“I just think it’s very important for any age to stay moving, healthy and using their mind and their body no matter what age they are,” she said.

Watch the interview on our podcast, The Buzz, below!