The Editors of Connecticut Magazine have selected Vinnie’s Jump & Jive as Connecticut’s “Best Dance Class”

The Community Health Center, Inc. (CHC) of Middletown’s local dance hall, Vinnie’s Jump & Jive, has been nominated by Connecticut Magazine to be featured in the annual “Best in Connecticut for 2013,” September Issue. Vinnie’s has been given the title of “Best Dance Class” for the entire state of Connecticut which will be featured in the compilation by Connecticut Magazine editors of various awards. For the past fifteen years, the magazine has been recognizing statewide businesses with titles that range from “Best used book store” to “Best neighborhood restaurant” that reaches more than 300,000 readers.

Currently, the Community Health Center, Inc. is the only health center in the country with a dance hall.  Vinnie’s Jump & Jive opened its doors on Main Street in Middletown, CT in 2000. An innovative program of CHC, Vinnie’s was established to promote healthy lifestyles in the community. Vinnie’s Jump & Jive offers classes and social events to suit any age and lifestyle, reflecting their motto: “All kinds of dance. All kinds of people.” You’ll find classes ranging from yoga, b-boy and ballroom to tap and toddler programs in an energetic, social setting. CHC providers are able to encourage dance for health and direct patients in Middletown right down Main Street to Vinnie’s.

There are many health benefits that dancing can directly provide such as strengthening bones and muscles, improvement of posture, balance and stamina along with warding off illnesses like diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, osteoporosis, and depression. “At Vinnie’s Jump and Jive, our focus is not only on dance, but the importance of movement and overall wellness. We offer classes that accommodate diverse interests, needs, and abilities,” stated Anna Rogers, the manager of Vinnie’s Jump & Jive. “The incredibly talented instructors at Vinnie’s have created a welcoming environment for those who are brand new to these classes and those who have been practicing for years,” mentioned Rogers.

In addition to classes, Vinnie’s regularly hosts events on-site and throughout the community that complements the regular offerings. Vinnie’s hosts large group dances and workshops that draw people from surrounding states, as well as social events and art shows. “The namesake of the dance hall was inspired by Vincent Amato, a long-time Middletown resident and owner of Amato’s Toy’s on Main Street who originally donated the space for classes and worked towards making it affordable for participants and instructors,” said Mark Masselli, President/CEO of CHC. “Vincent was committed to Main Street and loved the idea of a community dance hall which reminded him of the Middletown of his youth. To thank him for helping us get started, we decided to make his name forever a part of the dance hall as CHC continues to fulfill our mission of building healthier communities,” mentioned Masselli.

For more information about Vinnie’s Jump & Jive including classes, events and scheduling, please visit http://www.vinniesjumpandjive.com/.