Those who have an emotional, physical or mental disability, have a new place to gather at Our Dance Place.
Our Dance Place, owned by John Thorp, of Wyoming, and Michael Wines, of Nowthen, is a nonprofit organization created in February that provides social nightclubs for people with disabilities.
Our Dance Place is a club for disabled people who can get together with their friends in a safe, hassle-free social environment for dancing, dining, talking and having fun.
Our Dance Place began hosting dances at New Hope Community Church in Cambridge on Aug. 15. The dances are held from 6-8:30 p.m. every Monday night at the church. There is a $5 admission charge per person, but caregivers and parents are admitted free. Concessions are offered throughout the evening, and Thorp serves as the disc jockey.
Photos by Rachel Kytonen
Thorp, who has a background in musical entertainment, enjoys hosting the dances.
“These dances are for those as young as 14 up to 65 and older,” Thorp said. “We play music for everyone. Every Monday, I download songs from the recent Billboard Top 100 so we always have current music. As I get to know the dancers, I try to play the songs they often request as they walk through the door. Anyone who has a physical, emotional or mental disability are welcome.”
Individuals from Princeton, Mora, North Branch, Cambridge, Isanti, Braham and Ham Lake have come to the dances at New Hope.
“New Hope is a community church and serving our community is a big deal to us,” said Bill Berg, lead pastor at New Hope. “With the closing of the State Hospital and the increase in adult group homes, we wanted to partner with Our Dance Place to provide a social opportunity for group homes in Isanti County and beyond. We have a great commons area that works well for all kinds of community events so why not dancing.”
Besides Cambridge, Our Dance Place offers dances from 5-9 p.m. on Mondays at Banquets of Minnesota in Fridley; 5-9 p.m. on Tuesdays at Banquets of Minnesota in Blaine; and 5-9 p.m. on Wednesdays at the Forest Lake VFW.
“We have received 100 percent support wherever we have offered dances,” Thorp said. “This has been a whirlwind of adventure and good things. This feels really good.”
Berg feels the dances are making a difference.
“The dances are very positive. Like any new event, it will take time to get the information out to those who would enjoy this opportunity,” Berg said. “We’ve had as many as 25 people out in just our first few weeks and everyone enjoys the dancing and socializing.”
Thorp, who is retired but still provides DJ services through his business Thorp Entertainment Company, said he has seen the dances make a difference. Thorp has been in the musical entertainment business since 1967 and also worked as a nurse in a Department of Veterans Affairs hospital and drove a lift bus for Rise before retiring.
“At one of our dances, there was a woman who never smiled or interacted with anyone,” Thorp said. “Now she is smiling and dancing the night away. At another one of our dances, there was a man who had just woken up from a coma and was in a wheelchair. Now we see him waving from his walker and just loving the lights and music.”
The dances provide an opportunity for meeting new people.
“I have been at each night for a portion of the time. There is joy, laughter, visiting, refreshments and, of course, dancing all going on,” Berg said. “John (Thorp) provides only appropriate music and celebrates birthdays and holidays. It’s a great encouragement for the adults with disabilities along with the staff who care for them. It allows both clients and staff to interact with others they might not meet otherwise.”
Thorp enjoys meeting with the dancers.
“I entertain them and talk with them and get to know them,” Thorp said. “I play their musical requests and also once a month we celebrate birthdays by providing cake and birthday cards with a gift card enclosed.”
All are welcome at Our Dance Place.
“We hope all families and group homes with adults with disabilities give Our Dance Place a try,” Berg said. “Like any great dance party, the more the merrier. We draw great people from up to an hour away so there is opportunity to meet a variety of great people. Even if people don’t dance, they can visit and enjoy each other’s company.”
Thorp said he started Our Dance Place to provide a needed service and around 800 per week are attending the dances.
“Everything we do is for the people and the small admission fee goes back to the people,” Thorp said. “I’m retired and I get my retirement check. We are doing this to be an example of what people should be doing, and there are a lot of rewards with what we are doing. We use the ‘clean’ musical version of songs so we don’t offend anyone. We enjoy making a difference in their lives and it’s a joy to see them smile.”
For more information on Our Dance Place, visit www.ourdanceplace.org or find them on Facebook. New Hope Community Church is located at 33030 Vickers St. NE, Cambridge.