Staff Report
A benefit for the Chattanooga Area Food Bank tonight will be a chance to think outside the box step.
Local Zumba instructor Lindsey Morman is offering a Zumbathon from 7 to 9 p.m. at New Horizons Community Church, 2007 E. 27th St.
Offered in several Chattanooga fitness facilities, Zumba is an exercise program that blends Latin rhythms and easy-to-follow dance steps.
“This program makes it possible for everyone to dance — that’s my dream,” Morman said in a news release. “We take dances like salsa that everyone would like to learn and break them down into easy steps, and you don’t even need a partner.”
Zumba integrates music and moves from modern rhythms such as reggaeton, bollywood and hip-hop as well as traditional dances such as salsa, samba, flamenco, soca and merengue.
Chattanooga choreographer and African dance teacher Rebekah Mawuko, who performed in the 1996 Olympics, said she likes that Zumba is cross-cultural. “And the music is so hot, hot, hot that anyone will want to trot, trot, trot.”
Several of Morman’s students, including Angelina Wallace, Katharine Laurance, Kristie Barnes and Grace Milburn, now teach Zumba and will join her at the fundraiser for the food bank, along with Shelly Ellison, who teaches Zumba classes at BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee and at the city of Chattanooga Wellness Center.
Morman teaches at the downtown YMCA, 301 W. Sixth St. at 5:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Barking Legs Theater, 1322 Dodds Ave., at 5:30 p.m. Thursdays and at the Camp House, 1427 Williams St., at 10 a.m. Saturdays.
A portion of tonight’s $12 admission ($10 with two nonperishable food items) will be donated to the food bank.
GROCERY LIST
Items most needed by the Chattanooga Area Food Bank include:
* Grits
* Peanut butter (plastic jars only)
* Oatmeal
* Macaroni and cheese
* Canned fruits and vegetables
* Canned meats (tuna, chicken, salmon)