Dancing Under the Stars

Get ready for fun summer nights, because Dancing Under the Stars has returned.

Opening night took place on June 24, from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Cottonwood Square Shopping Center. If you have not heard of Dancing Under the Stars, it is a free dance event that takes place every Friday through Sept. 23, except on Labor Day weekend.

Dancing Under the Stars originated in Boulder in 1982, organized by Tom Materson at the UMC Rooftop Terrace. The event later moved to Dushanbe Tea House, then to Niwot in 2019. Niwot's version of the event is organized by Catherine McHale, the director and owner of Power & Purpose Marketing. She is also Niwot's Economic Development Director, charged with improving economic development and marketing for social events like this one.

McHale gathered local businesses to sponsor Dancing Under the Stars, including Julia March Integral Skincare, realtor Deborah Read Fowler, Colorado Landmark Realtors, Porchfront Homes, Raza Fresa Mexican restaurant, Niwot Tavern, Left Hand Animal Hospital, the Niwot Local Improvement District, and the Niwot Business Association. Donations are appreciated and there will be a tip jar at the event.

"Last year, people kept on asking me if we were going to bring back Dancing Under the Stars, because they missed it during Covid," McHale said. "And I'm so glad we did. I just love this event and it's such a great addition to the community. Residents and people from out-of-town come here and have so much fun. I love Dancing Under the Stars, because you get to listen to music, and dancing is just so good for you physically. It's also a great place to socialize, and the warm, summer evenings make it all the more enjoyable."

From 7 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., people were given free Salsa lessons from instructors Kasia and DJ Joseph Snowhawk. They are a married couple who own a dance studio known as Snowhawk Productions. "It's such a pleasure to teach dancing," said Kasia. "Catherine McHale deserves more credit for all she's done for the community. It's great to see Niwot High School students, young people, and older married couples dancing here tonight." She and her husband teach Rueda, Salsa, and Swing dance lessons at the Avalon, 6185 Arapahoe Rd., Boulder, on Thursdays. They also feature a new DJ at every lesson. Go to http://www.DanceLaughLove.com to learn more.

Next week's Dancing Under the Stars will feature Swing dance lessons from instructors at Boulder Swing Dance. It will take place on Friday, July 1, at 7 p.m. Other dance lessons that will be featured this summer include Ballroom, Cuban Salsa, and Contra/Folk; other nights will include repeats of these types of dances. Find out more at http://www.Niwot.com/dancing.