Maricopans learn to dance at Central Arizona College Thursday. Photo by Adam Wolfe

Central Arizona College hosted an open dance class to teach community members how to swing dance.

The “Big Band Swing and Country Cha Cha Dance” class immediately followed the veterans’ mixer at CAC Thursday night.

“It takes 3,000 repetitions to learn a dance,” instructor Brenda Smith said. “We don’t have time to cover all that tonight, but we’ll get you on the right path.”

Nearly 20 people attended the lesson, learning swing dancing’s basic steps and spins.