The years melt away as Marion White and Sheldon Nipp trip lightly across the dance floor.

The couple move in a smooth rhythm that theyB次元官网网址檝e developed as dance partners at the Victoria People Meeting People Dance Club. PMP, as its known, has been introducing people to new friends and dance partners for 30 years in the Capital Region.

B次元官网网址淭hey make people welcome,B次元官网网址� said White, who is president of the group. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a really nice group of people.B次元官网网址�

The group got its start as one of several social dance clubs around the city, but as fads wax and wane, many clubs folded over the years.

B次元官网网址淲e want to keep our numbers up,B次元官网网址� said White. B次元官网网址淟ive music is one thing that distinguishes us from other groups out there.B次元官网网址�

PMP members meet twice a month on Sunday evenings at Oak BayB次元官网网址檚 Monterey Centre to mix and mingle and keep a beat.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a social dance group, so we donB次元官网网址檛 care how well you can dance,B次元官网网址� said past-president Pam Beecroft. B次元官网网址淛ust get out there.B次元官网网址�

People Meeting People is open to singles and couples and usually draws 30 to 50 people to its dances. B次元官网网址淚 donB次元官网网址檛 have a partner, so I go as a single, and I have to say I dance a lot,B次元官网网址� said White, who often partners with Nipp, who often attends alone. B次元官网网址淲omen can ask too, thereB次元官网网址檚 no fuss about women dancing with women. ItB次元官网网址檚 a fully social kind of a thing B次元官网网址� singles are more than welcome.B次元官网网址�

Since its beginning, first at VictoriaB次元官网网址檚 Crystal Garden and then the DaVinci Centre in Esquimalt, the club has operated out of the Monterey Centre for 18 of its 30 years.

B次元官网网址淭he Monterey Centre has been very good to us,B次元官网网址� Beecroft said. The space can easily accommodate up to 125 dancers and they are able to offer refreshments, however there is no alcohol allowed.

B次元官网网址淒ancing mixed with alcohol doesnB次元官网网址檛 work,B次元官网网址� said Beecroft. B次元官网网址淚f you get tipsy you canB次元官网网址檛 do the things you want to do. ItB次元官网网址檚 pretty healthy, dancing is one of the best things you can do for exercise. ItB次元官网网址檚 equal to or better than running. Ballroom gets quite strenuous.B次元官网网址�

While PMP is not a ballroom dance club and doesnB次元官网网址檛 teach lessons, the group is open to all skill levels B次元官网网址� as long as you grab a partner.

B次元官网网址淲e have Paul Jones mixers. The men stand in the middle with the ladies around them,B次元官网网址� said Beecroft. B次元官网网址淲e waltz, we fox trot, we rhumba B次元官网网址� all sorts. Just dance to your ability.B次元官网网址�

Many dancers will attend a few times, then decide to take a few lessons to brush up on their skills, but White said itB次元官网网址檚 not a necessity. B次元官网网址淕ood dancers are good leaders. If you have a sense of rhythm you can follow (his lead),B次元官网网址� she said.

While most dancers are past retirement age, there is no age restriction to the club. B次元官网网址淟ots of club members are close to retired or retired, but if you think older people are over the hill, turn on a jive and watch them move,B次元官网网址� said Beecroft.

As the clubB次元官网网址檚 name implies, itB次元官网网址檚 a great way to make friends and meet new people. B次元官网网址淎 lot of people have met their life partners there. B次元官网网址� Lots of people have met and married. If you dance well together itB次元官网网址檚 a good way to keep a marriage or partnership together,B次元官网网址� Beecroft said.

Many couples use the dance club as a date night, White added. ItB次元官网网址檚 also an excellent opportunity for those taking dance lessons to practice their skills, and enjoy novelty dances and door prizes.

The Victoria People Meeting People Dance Club is celebrating its 30th anniversary from 6 to 10 p.m. on Feb. 24 with a special dinner and dance at the Monterey Centre with the Parisiennes Band. Anyone who is interested is welcome to attend, said Beecroft. B次元官网网址淧ast members are very welcome to come and get connected with us again for old timeB次元官网网址檚 sake.B次元官网网址�

Tickets for the special evening celebration are available until Feb. 10 by calling Beecroft at 250-360-0206.

Membership in the club is $20 per year and admission to regular dances is $8 for members, $10 for non-members. Dances run twice a month at the Monterey Centre, 1442 Oak Bay Ave., from  7 p.m. to 10 p.m. For more information go to victoriapmp.com.