Visalia Smooth Dancers
Ballroom dancing since 1975
For all who love ballroom and social dancing
Next Dance
Nov 8, 2025
6 pm
Veterans Memorial Building
Exeter
Next Club Meeting
Nov 23, 2025
4 pm
Grange Hall
Visalia
Visalia Smooth Dancers, est. 1975
Beginner Dance Lessons
$5 ($3 members)
Every Sunday at 5 pm
Visalia Grange Hall
327 N. Shirk Rd. Visalia
Singles and couples welcome​​
New Events
Beginning Dance Lessons
LINE DANCING
5 pm
Each Sunday in November
The Visalia Grange
Please note:
No dance lessons
in December
​
The annual Christmas Dance will be held Dec. 6, 2025
-- Please reserve by Nov. 15 --
Print from your computer using Control + P. Bring it to the Nov. 8 dance in Exeter or mail it in.
Latest Dance News
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Visalia dancers attend San Fernando Valley coronation
Visalia Smooth Dancers enjoy San Fernando Valley's coronation of Queen Roberta LaZar. Nov 1, 2025.
NSD mid-year convention will be March 27-29, 2026 in Bakersfield
The National Smooth Dancers mid-year convention hosted by Bakersfield Smooth Dancers is always a fun event.
For details: www.bakersfieldsmoothdancers.org
Golden Anniversary Dance
Celebrating 5O years of Visalia Smooth Dancers
Visalia Smooth Dancers gathered on Oct. 11, 2025 to celebrate the club's 50th anniversary. More in Photo Gallery.
​Above: David and Carol Bixler's collection of Visalia Smooth Dancers memorabilia draws a crowd. Below: An original first edition of Dance Whispers from 1950.
GGSD hosts New Year's Eve dance in San Francisco
Golden Gate Smooth Dancers famously hosts an annual New Year's Eve dance in San Francisco. Think of black-and-white formal wear, dinner and dancing. This year's event will be held Dec. 28. It sells out so if you wish to attend, act soon.
UPDATE: The event is sold out. There's a waiting list. If you get on
the waiting list before Nov 30, the early bird rate will be honored
in the event of an opening. Good luck!
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'Birds of a Feather Dance Together': Queen Laura visits Palomar
"Penny’s chosen colors were Royal Blue and Teal,
elegantly represented by the peacock,
a symbol of beauty, grace, and confidence."
Palomar Smooth Dancers Coronation Report
By Queen Laura Encinas
Visalia Smooth Dancers
My third coronation duty as the Visalia Smooth Dancers Chapter Queen occurred on October 4, 2025 at the Palomar Smooth Dancers Coronation. The evening’s theme was “Birds of a Feather Dance Together,” a beautiful celebration honoring Queen-Elect Penny Elliot. The formal event was held at Ocean Hills Country Club in Oceanside. Penny’s chosen colors were Royal Blue and Teal, elegantly represented by the peacock, a symbol of beauty, grace, and confidence – all qualities Queen Penny displayed throughout the evening.
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Ideal weather
Upon arriving Saturday afternoon, we were warmly welcomed by the queens and guests at the hospitality gathering held on the patio just outside the Ocean Hills Country Club ballroom. They prepared an impressive spread of delicious food, including fresh fruits, vegetables, cheeses, crackers, assorted meats, desserts, and both red and white wine. It was a lovely 70-degree day, just perfect for mingling and enjoying the beautiful atmosphere. We had such a wonderful time visiting with all the queens and guests. It was the perfect start to an elegant evening.
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Queen's Procession
For the Queen’s Procession, each of us was presented with a beautiful navy-blue rhinestone jewelry set consisting of a necklace, earrings, and a crown to wear as we, the queens and our escorts, made our grand entrance into the ballroom. The Queen’s Dance featured Queen Penny and her escort Danny Caraza, dancing gracefully to “Into the Blue” by the Alec Medina Orchestra. The Honor Dance was performed by Carrie Kloss and Mike Cowlishaw to “You Are the Reason” by Calum Scott and Leona Lewis. Following these touching performances, all the queens joined together for the All-Queens Dance, a lovely display of unity and friendship.
Exhibition dances & Farewell Ball
Afterward, we enjoyed a delicious buffet dinner catered by Hunter Steakhouse, followed by an evening of general dancing. The evening also included several delightful exhibition dances: ​
Queen Laura
-- Lynn and Marvin Wheeler performed a smooth foxtrot to “You Make Me Feel So Young” by Louis Funny Group.
-- Carrie and Mike danced beautifully to “Sway” by Osi Tejerina.
-- Lynn and Marvin presented a Viennese waltz to “Potter Waltz” by Patrick Doyle.
The Farewell Ball concluded at 10 p.m., marking the end of a truly memorable evening.
Mykonos Room goodbyes
The next morning, we gathered once again for a lovely continental breakfast in the Mykonos Room at the Ocean Hills Country Club. Breakfast featured eggs prepared in several styles, assorted breads, and an array of fresh fruits. It was a delicious and joyful way to end the weekend as we bid farewell to Debbie Atherton and Carol Kimmett, both crowning queens for the Palomar Chapter.
New friendships
The Palomar Smooth Dancers’ coronation was a truly memorable and joy-filled event. I felt honored to represent the Visalia Chapter and to share in the celebration of Queen Penny’s special evening. The warmth, hospitality, and camaraderie among all the chapters made this coronation especially meaningful. I am deeply grateful for the friendships I continue to build through Smooth Dancers and for the opportunity to serve as Queen. It is an experience I will always cherish.
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'Rodeo Night' brings Western style to monthly dance
What's Rodeo Night without the Cowboy Cha-Cha?
More in Photo Gallery
Dance instructor Susan Morelock leads the Boot Scootin' Boogie. Video:
'Diamond Heist' jailbreak at NSD 2025
"Diamond Heist" was the theme Sunday afternoon at the NSD Convention. Kelly DaFonte takes full creative advantage.
- More in Photo Gallery -
Greg & Barbara win 1st place in Two-Star American Rhythm
Barbara and Greg Uichanco achieved a major milestone in competitive dance by winning First Place in Two-Star American Rhythm at
the 2025 NSD Convention. Going forward, they must compete at higher levels. Above, the dance couple hold their awards with State Queen Vera Harvey. They also excelled
in Three-Star American Rhythm. Congratulations!
Visalia dancers win NSD competition awards
Nine Visalia Smooth Dancers brought home seven awards earned in dance competition at the National Smooth Dancers 2025 Convention in Burlingame.
1st Place
Greg & Barbara Uichanco
Two-Star American Rhythm (Cha Cha Cha, Bolero)​
1st Place
Alice Lyons (& Jerry Bowes / Golden Gate Chapter)
Nightclub Two-Step - Jack & Jill ​
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2nd Place
Greg & Barbara Uichanco
Three-Star American Rhythm (Cha Cha Cha, Bolero, Swing)​
2nd Place
Paul Storey & Sally Bailey
Two-Star American Rhythm (Cha Cha Cha, Bolero)
2nd Place
Paul Storey & Laura Encinas
One-Star American Rhythm (Cha Cha Cha)​
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2nd Place
John Guttierrez & Margaret Moholt
Senior Waltz ​
​​3rd Place
Paul Storey & Linda Guttierrez​​​
​​​Senior Cha Cha
Queen's Report: NSD Convention sparkles like a Diamond
"The entire weekend was filled with sparkle, celebration, and the joy of dance."
Visalia dance crew descends on Fresno
What is it about Fresno's Sunday afternoon dances that causes Visalia Smooth Dancers to make the journey? Our Fresno friends have returned to the Clovis Community Center where the dance floor is all but perfect. Lots of social dancing and interaction at the August dance. Thank you, Fresno!
Impromptu Tango delights Visalia Smooth Dancers
In an unrehearsed performance, Yvette Haworth conquered the tango with dance professional Artemi Okunev before an enthusiastic audience at the August dance social. Bravo!
- Video in Photo Gallery -
August Dance Photos
Why is Cheryl Levitan celebrating? Find the answer in the Photo Gallery.
Luau dance draws a crowd
The Hawaiian pineapple symbolizes the annual July "Luau Dance." Great attendance: 105 people.
- More in Photo Gallery -
Queen Laura Encinas
Visalia Smooth Dancers
Queen Laura's excellent Fresno adventure
Queen Laura attended Fresno's coronation ceremony and tells us all about her fun - and funny - day in her personal report with photos. See Photo Gallery.
Kelly DaFonte to chair Christmas dance
Kelly DaFonte dancing with Artemi.
VSD member Kelly DaFonte made an exciting announcement at a recent club meeting. She will be serving as the chair of the annual Christmas dance. The Christmas dance, held at the PPAV Hall, is easily Visalia Smooth Dancers’ major dance event of the year. Thank you for stepping forward, Kelly. It’s a big responsibility.
She will be joined by Somjai Cochran as assistant chair. Somjai will be in charge of decorating the stage.
We offer a heartfelt “Thank You” to previous co-chairs Carol Abeyta and Marivel Villarreal. They did outstanding work making the dance hall, the stage and tables look fabulous.
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Queen Laura's coronation
Queen Laura Encinas, left, stands with immediate past Queen Margaret Moholt following her coronation ceremony on May 17, 2025. Escorts: David Encinas, Dean Levitan.
Margaret Moholt crowns Queen Laura Encinas. May 17, 2025.
Queen Laura's coronation brought together dancers near
and far for a fun evening of celebration, entertainment, social dancing and socializing. More in Photo Gallery.
Artemi Okunev & Anna Trebunskaya
Professional dancers Artemi Okunev and Anna Trebunskaya, a regular on Dancing With The Stars, performed at Queen Laura's coronation. See video in Photo Gallery.
VSD attends Fresno Coronation
A total of 25 VSD members attended Fresno Smooth Dancers' Coronation of Queen Cindy in June 2025. Photo by Dan Ansaldi. More in Photo Gallery.
"Barbie" dance team performs in Exeter
The VSD Barbie dance team performed a salsa routine at the club's monthly dance in Exeter on June 14. See video in Photo Gallery.
