The joy of shared experiences and interests is a treasure sought by many. The Cape Fear Ballroom Dancers not only facilitate such connections, but they’ve seen it bridge generational gaps in surprising ways, with dancers of all ages coming together to enjoy evenings of socialization, food, music, and best of all, their favorite steps with friends new and old.
While dances are always open to visitors, CFBC functions like a club, with a president, board, and dues-paying members. Visitors simply pay a slightly higher entrance fee than members. All their events are suitable for dancers of all experience levels, and start with a lesson, so that everyone can brush up on their skills.
Drew Zeigler, president of the Cape Fear Ballroom Dancers, says that experience level doesn’t change how much people enjoy themselves.
“A lot of folks have had no training at all, and they have just as much fun as everyone else,” he shared.
Zeigler, a retired 20-year Army veteran, said he and his wife wanted to learn how to dance for a long time. At military events, they’d watch people who knew what they were doing and think, “We should try that.” It wasn’t until after his retirement that the two stepped out and decided to take lessons together. From there, they fell in love with the experience and couldn’t get enough.
In addition to helping plan and host CFBD events, the couple often host people who travel longer distances to attend the events—opening their home so those who have now become friends have a place to crash and sleep before heading home the next day. Zeigler says they see people traveling from Raleigh, Laurinburg, Clinton, Cary, and even Virginia.
“It’s really amazing how far these people come,” he said.
With social connection being a highlight of the group, they consider opening their house, “another chance to get to know each other.”
With monthly dances, quarterly dinner dances, holiday dances, community demos, and occasional trips to attend events hosted by other nearby dance communities, the group makes it easy for members and visitors to get their fill of all things ballroom dancing throughout the year.
Monthly dances are held at Roland’s Dance Studio at 310 Hope Mills Road. Members pay $15, and non-members pay $20. The evening starts with a lesson from one of several members who have previously worked as professional dance instructors. Zeigler says they typically see 30-40 people at these events.
Quarterly dinner dances are an elevated experience, and the price varies from $50-75 for members versus non-members. These dances feature a special catered dinner, a live band, and the chance to show off your formal attire.
“People like to get dressed up and put on a tuxedo,” Zeigler said.
They’ve also held community demos at locations such as the Kiwanis Club and the Cape Fear Botanical Garden in collaboration with a local art club.
Zeigler says that, much to the delight of long-standing members, they’ve seen an influx of young members recently.
“Within the last two years have had a real infusion of young people in their mid-twenties,” he shared. The influx began when his wife extended an invitation to a young man and his sister, “They had a great time and invited their church youth group, which added 3,4, and 5 more young people, and then they invited even more,” he recounted.
Recently added to the mix were young army officers and medical professionals, all of whom went on to invite more friends.
“It’s just been fun,” Zeigler shared, “If we had photos from 4-5 years ago, you’d see we didn’t have very many young people at all.” He described it as changing the complexion of the club from a retirement community to a social event, adding, “We’re thrilled.”
When monthly dances fall close to a holiday, they are often themed accordingly; wear red at Valentine’s Day, green for St. Patrick's Day, and something spooky for Halloween. Other monthly dances have themes independent of holidays, like an upcoming 1950s tribute dance on Sept. 13. Zeigler says dancers can don poodle skirts and other ‘50s attire. “I’m so impressed with how crazy the costumes are,” he said of past events.
When asked about favorite memories made with Cape Fear Ballroom Dancers, Zeigler responded, “Just the friends we’ve made.” The events evoke images of an earlier time, according to him. “If you’re looking for a low-cost, fun evening, check us out!”

(Photo: Members of Cape Fear Ballroom Dancers dance during a Halloween event. Photo courtesy of Drew Zeigler)