Rochester Ballroom Dancing

The History of Rochester Ballroom Dancing

Rochester Ballroom Dancing, Inc. is a social group of ballroom and other social dance enthusiasts in the Rochester, NY area. The club's focus has changed over time originating in 1973 as an out-growth of a former cultural organization known as the British Commonwealth Club.

In the summer of 1973 a British Festival was held at the Monroe County Fairgrounds. The Festival prompted several of the previous members of the dissolved British Commonwealth Club to think about forming a new club with different goals and purpose. Paul & Daphne Thone hosted a meeting at their home. Twenty people attended the meeting thus becoming the Founding Members.

The Founding Members decided to have dances. To get started they each donated $10.00 (later to be known as the annual dues). They contacted Pat White to see if he would donate his dance bands time known as the Vikings to play at the first dance. The first dance was held on September 19th 1973 at the Chief Petty Officer's Club on River Street just north of the Stutson Street Bridge. The members took turns providing snacks. The Vikings Played for the dances up until 1986.

Later the Monthly dances were held at the Doud Post on Buffalo Road where meals and drinks were available. This brought about the tradition that has been our "norm". Dances are now held at various places and different bands are engaged to provide a variety of music.

During the Presidency of Lou Leone the club was incorporated as the British American Club of Rochester, NY, Inc.

In 2020, the Board of Officers had discussions about changing the name of the club to better reflect its focus on ballroom and other social dances. The membership agreed that this would be a beneficial change. In March 2021, the club's name was changed to Rochester Ballroom Dancing, Inc. The club continues the dinner dance tradition, and to better accommodate the membership allows attending only the dance.