Dancing with the Dynasty Stars at St. Mary's

The ladies guild at St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church celebrated Galentine’s Day on Monday. 

While it was still a meeting and charitable work had to be discussed, it was done over desserts homemade by the committee and followed up with a dance performance. 

Professionals and amateurs danced the waltz, tango, salsa and rumba. The Dynasty Dance Club has four locations in Venice, Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch and St. Pete Beach. The Dynasty Stars program, its website states, is "designed for children, teens and adults with special needs."

While the professional dancers performed graceful lifts and dizzying spins, Georges Assif stole the show when asked to demonstrate how to ask a lady to dance. Before extending his arm out to his partner as etiquette dictates, Assif showed off his cha-cha steps to the delight of himself and the crowd. 

As Assif exemplified with his impromptu cha-cha, the Dynasty Stars program was designed to build self-confidence. Dance also increases activity in the mind and body, while offering a new form of self-expression. There are about 200 Dynasty Stars across the four locations. 

A 2022 study published in the International Journal of Early Childhood found that a rhythmic music program improved the performance of motor skills in children with Down syndrome. 

The dance club also offers a Parkinson’s program approved by neurologists and physical therapists. 

A 2021 study published in Brain Sciences determined that dancing once a week for three years will slow both motor and non-motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. The study also cites previous research that already found dancing improves balance, gait, speed and quality of life in patients.