BEAUMONT, Texas — Line dancing holds a special place in the black community and a Beaumont nonprofit wants everyone to join.
You'll often see line dancing at any black celebratory event, whether it be the wobble playing at a wedding or the electric slide playing at the family cookout.
The Southeast Texas Line Steppers meet three times a month for free classes.
"Vision that the lord has given to me about us coming together, to dance together, bring the community together through dance," said Instructor Yolanda Avery.
The SETX Line Steppers say that dance brings people together.
"Dance is diverse, and it doesn't matter if it's this month, next month, we're gonna dance," said Avery.
The Line Steppers pride themselves on combining exercise with getting your groove on.
"We do take donations here. But like I said we never charge a fee. But we just wanted to make sure that the community gets fit and healthy, and stay that way," said Instructor Deborah Jones.
Shona Fontenot takes the class regularly and says for her, it's about more than getting in shape.
"Enjoying other women's company. And also you're having fun while losing weight. And so it's always good to have a good time. Learn a good dance and just meet new friends from all over, and different walks of life. So I love it here," she said.
The class is beginner friendly, according to 12News reporter Kayla Choates, who got the chance to try out one of the classes.
"I didn't know some of the dances that they were doing. So I just followed some of the other instructors. So that I could, they could be a guide for me," said Gwen Durio, who tried the class for the first time.
Cheryl Williams is the sponsor who came up with SETX Line Steppers.
Williams said line dancing became popular at weddings when there wouldn't be enough men for women to dance with.
"African American weddings in particular. And then there would be those who wanted to dance. And it was mostly populated by women. And so they began to dance together. And they just decided, you know, we won't dance as partners, but we'll dance as sisters," Williams said.
Line dancing has evolved into a culmination of all that is good, according to Williams. Tyler Perry movies are an example of this.
"You always see them at the end of the movie. They all come together, no matter what conflict may have been going on through the movie... You'll always see them line dancing. Why? Because that's what brings the family back together. It's that love for dancing, love for movement, love for expression and being able to show love through dance," Williams told 12News.
The class is open to everyone no matter their age. It will be on Wednesday, February 21 at 6 p.m. in Beaumont at 3430 West Cardinal Drive.