HOT SPRINGS VILLAGE — Dances are synonymous with junior high and senior high school these days, but that hasn’t always been the case. For generations, dances were the pinnacle of social scenes throughout America. In Hot Springs Village, that tradition continues through the Merry Mixers, a group of dancers who host ballroom dancing lessons and have monthly dances with a cash bar at the Coronado Community Center.
The group’s president, Amy Maddox, and her husband, William Maddox, organize the events on the first Saturday of February through May, and October through December; and the third Saturday of January through May, and September through December; with a Christmas party and a special New Year’s Eve dance.
The group is the only one in the area that has a live band perform at the dances, which have a $10 admission fee. The two have been involved with the club for 20 years.
Ballroom is, of course, a staple of the event, but salsa, swing, country and “just about anything” are part of the repertoire, Merry Mixers member Rolland White said.
“Some people don’t do some of the dances, and some do others,” White said. “It’s more of a ballroom group than anything else, though. Depends on the bands you get.”
Performers range from The Hot Springs Village Big Band to musicians from across the state, such as Blue Velvet, Warren Crow and the Classics, Larry House, Rick Warren and Bob Boyd.
“We have outstanding bands,” Maddox said. “We always have a swinging-type music; that’s anything that has a beat to it. We sometimes provide popcorn and snacks; other times, people bring their own.”
Popularity has waned for the dances, but they still draw around 80 people. Dancers come from as far as Little Rock to attend. In ’93 or ’94, when the Maddoxes moved to Hot Springs Village and started up with the Mixers, there was a waiting list to get into the group because there is a limit to the number of people who can be on the Coronado Center dance floor.
“Needless to say, that’s not the case anymore,” said Maddox’s husband, William. “Things have changed. Most of the people we’ve known over the last 20 years or so have passed away. I’ll be 81 next month. [Amy]’ll be 80, so we’re not kids. We still dance actively.”
The current version of the club is actually a merger of two clubs. The dancers are looking for ways to make new attendees feel welcome. The group offers a free dance lesson from 7-7:30 p.m. the third Saturday of each month.
White said club members are lucky to have a venue that fits their needs.
“The Coronado Center main hall is probably one of the best dance floors around here; it’s really nice,” White said. “It certainly ranks with the Arlington Hotel’s ballroom. They keep it in pretty good condition.”
The New Year’s Eve dance will be catered and marks one of the most anticipated dances of the year. Maddox said the live band, open bar and catering make the Dec. 31 event more attractive. The club celebrates at the New York midnight, allowing members to go home a little earlier.
Staff writer Morgan Acuff can be reached at (501) 244-4314 or macuff@arkansasonline.com.