Legion dance popular, always attracts a crowd

By Brynn Campbell

Legion members slip into their dancing shoes and bust a move.

Strobes and disco balls light up the room for all the men and women who have come out to support Belleville’s Royal Canadian Legion Branch 99 on a Saturday night by dancing up a storm.

About 70 people made it out to this hip, happening dance on Saturday evening where Legion members decorated the hall with four-leaf clovers and leprechauns.

“Lots of people said they’re coming back,” said Legion first vice-president and life member John McIntyre.

McIntyre and his daughter, Penny, decided they would start organizing dances at the Legion once a month to give people of all ages a chance to twist and shout.

“That’s the way dances were when we were young. People kind of dressed up, mingled and had fun. I want it to be a fun night, a family and friend night. That’s what bars used to be like, an event for everyone,” said McIntyre.

This was the third dance put on by the Legion in three months after taking over the space where the monthly Romeo and Juliet dances once were. All the proceeds from the monthly dances will support the Legion.

The dances are run by volunteers, including doorman Andy Anderson. Anderson has been a member of the Legion for 15 years and is glad to see everyone having a ball and mingling, although he did say that “the music was a little bit too loud.”

Robert Hird, another Legion member and St. Patrick’s Day dancer, has attended all of the Legion’s dances so far.

“My favourite part is supporting the Legion because without this there are an awful lot of things that don’t happen,” said Hird.

“Besides the memberships and the drives and all that, this is a little bit of income. And it’s a lot of fun.”

The Legion and McIntyre hope to keep seeing more and more people coming out each month. During the evening, there are three spot dances, during which a set of tickets is given out for the following month’s dance.

“The next time you use that ticket you can bring a friend,” said McIntyre.

Next month’s is the spring dance that will take place April 7. The dances will take place the first weekend of every month.

“We would like to see it build up and get bigger. It will take time,” said McIntyre.