Visalia Smooth Dancers
Ballroom dancing since 1975
Thriller!
Clever costumes conquer October dance
Craig Kelly Earl
Sue and Jim show gift quilt
Mark & Adelle
Heidi & Jeff from Fresno
Carolyn, Karl & Sallie
Madame Margaret, fortune teller, peers into the future
Photo by Paul Storey
Photos by Craig McNeilly, Somjai Cochran, Sukhdeep Grewal, Ahmed Bahar
Cheryl
Robin and Margaret
Sukhdeep
Tim and Craig
Eileen and Robin
Paul and Wendy, the Ghost Bride
Paul with pumpkin basket
Kathleen
Kathleen, Earl and Sukhdeep
Thiller line dance lesson by Franco. Zombies!
Somjai the pirate
Craig & Carol
October Dance Report
Oct. 10, 2026
Dancers arrived at the hall in Exeter to spooky Halloween music played by our talented DJ Cheryl Levitan. Guests were soon admiring all the wonderful costumes. There was an Egyptian Goddess, a shimmering mermaid, witches, a ghost bride, Cruella de Ville, a vampire, a pirate queen and more, including Dolly Parton’s second cousin six times removed.
Excellent photo opportunities were provided by the 10-foot by 20-foot haunted house backdrop, the three life-size witches, and a 4-foot spider in a web. We also enjoyed Madame Margaret, Chinese fortune teller, ready to tell all curious dancers their fortunes.
The Trick or Treat table was filled with treats galore and not a trick in sight.
Dance instructor Franco Peraza taught a “Thriller” line dance, with dancers’ hands hooked into claws and everyone hunched over, moving as zombies.
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Our Halloween dance, held a week earlier than planned due to scheduling conflict, moved to the Thriller beat with club members, guests, and four dance hosts out on the floor. The dance floor stayed busy (plus a short break) until it was time to say “Good Night” and “Happy Haunting!”
Many thanks to our very creative committee: Sallie Holden, Tim Inouye, Margaret Moholt, Ahmed Bahar, Randy Bardone, Cheyl and Dean Levitan, and Paul and Wendy Storey. Special thanks to Somjai Cochran, Adelle Martinez, Sally Bailey, and Carol and David Bixler for donating gifts and food.
— Wendy Storey
Committee Chair
"Thriller" Halloween Dance
