Athens, Ga. – The State Botanical Garden of Georgia at the University of Georgia will offer a free cha-cha dance class on March 27 at 6:30 p.m. in the Visitor Center and Conservatory.
Local dance instructor Ron Putman will start with a demonstration of the cha-cha and follow with instruction on basic steps and variations. “In an hour, couples and singles can be dancing the cha-cha to Latin music, Maroon 5 or Lady Gaga,” said Putman.
Now a professional instructor and an award-winning competitive dancer, Ron has competed in several states and two countries with four professional and three amateur partners. When not competing, Ron teaches ballroom, swing and country dance as well as wedding choreography to individuals, couples and groups.
The Botanical Garden recently opened its Visitor Center to the public on Tuesday evenings in order to allow members of the community to experience the facility at a different time of day.
“Evenings are a special time to come and visit the Garden,” said Wilf Nicholls, garden director. “In the Conservatory or out in the gardens, there are scents and sounds and an atmosphere totally different from the daylight hours. Every Tuesday night, the Visitor Center along with Dondero’s Kitchen and the Garden Shop, will be open, with all sorts of different events to draw people to our beautiful facility.”
