Barrington Dancer Having a Ball Teaching What She Loves

You may not be 'Dancing With The Stars' at Nelia Lawton's Friday night dance socials, but you’ll certainly be enjoying the company of energetic and interesting people.

Lawton is the founder and owner of Dance Nelia - Ballroom and Latin Dancing. Every Friday night at the Barrington Democratic Club, 186 Roffee Stt., she teaches a group ballroom dancing lesson followed up by dinner and dancing -- all for just $15 per person.

The Friday evening events are a way for Lawton to introduce people to the sport she has loved for over 25 years, and to give them an opportunity to socialize that doesn’t involve singles or couples having to go out to bars, clubs, or restaurants.

As a young child in the Azores, Lawton studied ballet and jazz, but it wasn’t until she was 20 and living in the United States for more than a decade that she discovered ballroom dancing.

“After high school, I was working as a CNA with plans to become a nurse,” said Lawton. "Then ballroom dancing came along, and that changed everything.”

Lawton saw an advertisement in the newspaper for people to learn to become professional ballroom dance instructors. She decided to check it out.

“I’ve never looked back,” she said.

She even met her former husband through Arthur Murray -- he was the boss’s son. Although the two didn’t stay married, they remained dance partners for more than 20 years.

“We could dance together, even though we couldn’t live together,” Lawton said with a laugh.

The couple had two sons, Clay, 23, and Cole, 17. Cole sings in Barrington High School’s choral ensemble and will be performing, along with the high school’s jazz ensemble, at this Friday evening’s event.

In 2000, Lawton started her own professional ballroom dancing company, the PB&J (Providence Theatrical Ballroom & Jazz Project), to promote ballroom dancing. The company performs at fundraisers, events, and competitions.

She also teaches both group and private lessons to students that range from young singles to enthusiastic older adults looking to stay active and learn something new.

Although Lawton teaches ballroom dancing, and she loves to dance professionally, she doesn’t personally compete. She leaves that up to her students. Instead, she looks at dancing as a way to stay physically and mentally healthy.

“It absolutely keeps you in great shape,” said Lawton. “But what I love most about dancing is that it takes your mind off everything else. It puts you in a really happy place.”

As for those Friday nights of dancing, food, and good company, Lawton said, guests don’t need reservations or ballroom dancing experience to attend.

“No costumes are necessary either,” she said with a smile.

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