Pasadena Ballroom Dance Association Gets a New Home

For Erin and Tami Stevens, their new dance floor is nothing short of magical

By MELANIE SISON
Published: Thursday, March 18, 2010 | 10:13 AM

“I opened the door, and they had lights on this new floor that took my breath away. I had no idea that the building could be transformed to be that beautiful.”

Nothing else could be more apt than Erin Stevens’ description of her thoughts when she first saw the new dance floor which they were able to lease and beautify at Hill Avenue Grace Lutheran Church. Erin, with her sister Tami, founded the Pasadena Ballroom Dance Association in 1983 and since then have taught thousands of local dancers to glide, trot, hop and swing. The new hall just opened March 6.

Co-owner Tami Stevens Swingin’

The Stevens sisters, who were born and raised in Pasadena, were brought up to chase after their dreams. Their mother was a professional ballerina, an instructor at the Jevi Dja studio, and their father, who they described as a fabulous natural dancer, encouraged them to develop their creativity. As a result, singing, art galleries, puppet shows, and magic acts were nothing new to them as children. However, none managed to pull their attention completely, until one fateful event.

Erin fondly recalls, “It was seeing them at an anniversary party and watching mom and dad get up and swing dance together – I was drop-jawed and I thought ‘I want to do that!’”

The sisters knew they were hooked on dance after being taught by their father how to waltz and fox trot for their prom. They’ve been dancing their way through life ever since. Together with her old swing partner Steven Mitchell, Erin has flown to the White House to dance for the former President Bill Clinton. Like her sister, Tami also has a lot of performances in her credentials, including being a featured performer in Disneyland and other Disney Productions. Together, the sisters formed the Pasadena Ballroom Dance Association in 1983.

The great thing though, is that even more than 20 years later, their family remains as involved in the sisters’ ventures as ever. They even managed to keep the management of the ballroom in the family. Jim Key, Erin’s husband and owner of the American Craftsman Corporation, renovated the church facility with his crew, living there almost 24/7 until completion. Their mother and father are also helping them out, particularly in the behind-the-scenes work.

Tami recalls their opening night, when the dancers were delighted to find out that this was a family business. Erin elaborates, “Everyone calls our parents ‘Mom’ and ‘Dad.’ [The dancers] feel a part of the family. When we opened this venue, people said ‘We’re home’. I think people feel that way – they don’t feel they are going to a studio.”

It’s this level of comfort that allows people to have fun on and off the dance floor. Erin and Tami ensure that their focus is not to create competition, but to encourage the people who attend to have fun, and to express their feelings through dance.

Tami explains, laughing, “We believe that there are no mistakes, only new steps.”

According to the sisters, attendees are from ages “18 to 80,” and they all come from different walks of life. It’s really an open environment where people get together to have fun and enjoy each other’s companies, whether these are couples who have been married to each other for years or who have only gotten acquainted with each other through dance. Tami explains that it’s a great place to meet new people. A lot of unlikely friendships have been forged by the love for dancing.

As for that other kind of relationship? “My dad used to carry a notebook where he would write down the names of all the couples [who met at PBDA] who got married,” says Erin. “When we reached 900, his notebook was full.”

Truly, dancing brings about its own kind of magic, whether on or off the dance floor. “A lot of people say they leave their stresses at the door,” Erin says. “You know, whatever happened in your day, you let it go.  You come in and the outside world is forgotten while you’re dancing.”

The Pasadena Ballroom Dance Association offers classes, special events and regular Saturday Night Swing Out dances with live bands in their immaculate new facility in Grace Hall, at the Hill Avenue Grace Lutheran Church, 73 North Hill Avenue, Pasadena. Check their website (and Pasadena Now’s Events Calendar) for upcoming events: www.pasadenaballroomdance.com