Christopher Beroiz makes ballroom dancers out of same-sex couples

BY STEPHAN HORBELT

THE ARRIVAL ONTO NETWORK TELEVISION SLOTS of shows like Dancing With the Stars and So You Think You Can Dance, along with their high ratings and huge fan bases, has sparked a resurgence of ballroom dancing into pop culture. Never before have couch potatoes and teenagers been able to recognize the samba and paso doble upon first glance, proof that an interest in the art and skill of ballroom dancing has no age or ethnic boundaries. And proof that if Marie Osmond can score a perfect 10 on her quickstep, with a little practice anyone can.

Surely there’s no reason why gay men and women shouldn’t be allowed to jump in on the ballroom dancing craze; but feigning a heterosexual relationship with an opposite-sex partner doesn’t seem right, and the complete acceptance of same-sex couples doing the foxtrot may be a bit further down the line. Luckily, one man in the Los Angeles area is helping to move things right along. International dance instructor and SoCal native Christopher Beroiz produces a gay ballroom dancing class in conjunction with the city of West Hollywood, a six-week course where students are given personal instruction and are afforded the opportunity to master the art of classic dance.

The product of a very close Latin family, Beroiz has been dancing since he was nine years-old, trained by his aunts at family parties. When he was fifteen, Beroiz was asked by his instructor to teach dance after receiving only two lessons. The next ten years consisted of teaching and competing professionally, with several different partners and coaches, and culminated just outside the semifinal at the UK World Invitational.

When he deciding to retire from competitive dancing, Beroiz began a trek through the entertainment industry that included roles in the musical Swing! and the German tour of Saturday Night Fever. “I have done ballets, commercials, television, and even modeled in fashion shows in Europe,” says Beroiz. “However, with that said, the Ballroom always swings back around and I find myself understanding, ‘Once a ballroom boy, always a ballroom boy.’”

“Whether gay or lesbian, I find that most couples are more comfortable kissing on a street corner than dancing together.” Beroiz remarks that after years of working with female partners and selling himself as a straight man on the dance floor, something that goes along with the territory of professional ballroom dancing, when he began working with his male partner, he felt more fulfilled. A class like Beroiz’s allows gay couples to reclaim the age-old tradition of dinner and dancing, a dating ritual now seemingly reserved for our heterosexual counterparts. It’s about time, seeing as ballroom dancing is a sport that gay couples are understandably drawn to. “And of course gay men love the costumes,” quips Beroiz.

Beroiz continues to coach other professionals and amateur couples between his personal performances and contracts, but especially looks forward to working with same-sex couples. This desire inspired Beroiz to start regular Saturday afternoon classes at West Hollywood’s Plummer Park. Classes are open to both couples and individuals (who will be paired up with partners), and is sure to include individuals from various walks of gay life. “I have corporate people, industry people, coffee shop baristas, and I am working on some Republican Senators. Then again, it is not a tap class.”

For more information on Gay Ballroom, contact Steve Valentine at 323/571-8003. To sign up for class, contact The City of West Hollywood, Plummer Park at 323/845-0174.