It's 80 Years Old but the Palomar Ballroom is Still Hopping

The chandelier lights gleam across the wide, wooden, polished floors of the Palomar Ballroom.
 
The dance instructor directs while the hopeful clients watch themselves in the wall length mirrors.
 
Step by step, the group absorbs each move and warms up to the rhythm, incorporating their hips and hands in every motion.
 
It is now eight o’ clock and the lights dim for the night time party – tonight is salsa night.
 
Parallel to the full length mirror hangs a large projection screen that plays professional dance competitions, particularly this night showing a salsa dance competition.
 
The disk jockey on stage plays loud, exotic music to get the over packed room moving. The party has begun.
 
From ballroom, salsa and swing to Latin and Argentine Tango, Palomar Ballroom provides a fun atmosphere for downtown Santa Cruz and dance enthusiasts alike.
 
Located on Pacific Ave., this local dance studio offers dance classes and private lessons and remains a go-to place following over 80 years of business.
 
As owner of Palomar Ballroom, Jeremy Pilling has been dancing and teaching for 13 years.
 
"I used to work here as an employee and about six or seven years ago, the previous owner moved to New York so he sold me the business," Pilling said.
 
Palomar Ballroom was established between 1929 and 1930, when the old Palomar Inn was in business. It is now kept up by Pilling, who is also the dance instructor for many forms of dance.
 
"We have anywhere from young kids, ages six or seven, all the way to elderly people in their 80s so there's all different ages, different levels, and different styles of dance," Pilling said.
 
Colleague Darci Everitt is a salsa dance specialist but got into ballroom when she first met Pilling at Palomar Ballroom.
 
"Originally, Jeremy was my instructor when i was 17," Everitt said. "I moved down here recently and have taught with him (Jeremy) for the last two years and prior to that."
 
The nature of work is enjoyable for both Pilling and Everitt. "I get to be a dance teacher and a therapist sometimes, thats the fun part," Pilling said. "When you work with couples, you get some interesting scenarios."
 
Palomar Ballroom can be found on the mezzanine level entering through 1344 Pacific Ave, above the El Palomar Restaurant. For more information on lessons and upcoming events, visit palomarballroom.com