Dancing with Bernie and Lydia

Story updated on 8/2/24 (originally published on October 12, 2023)

Are you a dancer? Did you know we dance at Galilee? The Friday Night Line Dancing Class holds the record for the longest continually meeting group at our church. It’s been happening since 2005!
 
At our Sock Hop in the Gym on September 28, you’ll have a chance to dance with Galilee’s amazing line dance instructors, Bernie and Lydia Vitale.
 

Bernie and Lydia Vitale

The Vitales are DMV locals and longtime Galilee members. They were both born in DC, though Bernie grew up in Maryland and Lydia in Great Falls, VA. They met at work at a publishing office and clicked because they shared a love of church, a love of music, and a need for companionship. Bernie was a widower and Lydia was a single mom. They soon fell in love, got married, and added dancing together to their list of shared passions.
 
“Bernie has an extensive dance background,” says Lydia. “He worked at Fred Astaire Dance Studios in the Sixties. He was a ballroom dance teacher for 10-12 years. He competed in ballroom dancing at the Detroit Star Ball and the Washington Star Ball, as well as at events in the Bahamas, Curaçao, and Aruba. But he only took up line dancing in 1997, when we got together.”
 
“I came to dancing later in life,” Lydia admits. “My only experience was attending high school dances. I started doing country western dancing in 1991 and it did not come naturally! It definitely took some time before I could move to the beat. I joined the Northern Virginia Country Western Dance Association and soon learned to do the two-step, waltz, swing, cha cha, progressive, and line dance. Now I teach dancing!”

The Vitales leading dances at a 2023 dance event in Fairfax

Galilee means a lot to Bernie and Lydia. “Galilee helped me strengthen my faith. I have a great sense of belonging here. The music, the people, the pastor’s messages, it is all wonderful. I enjoy serving on the altar guild. I feel honored to be a part of that,” says Lydia. “Bernie was raised Catholic, but for six years he would do a “Sunday commute” from Woodbridge to worship with me. It’s much easier now that we share a home nearby!”

Naturally, the Vitales enjoy sharing their dance skills with Galilee members and are happy to be doing so at the Sock Hop on September 28.

“(Galilee member) Tom Dula approached us to see if we could help out with the Sock Hop and of course we are delighted to. We will teach a few line dances, including one of our easy warm-up dances, “Black Coffee.” That will get folks ready for the more grueling dances to come (just kidding). We’ll teach easy dances that anyone can do. In class we’ve had attendees ranging from 9 to their 90s!”

Bernie and Lydia dance to all kinds of music, and you don’t have to be a country fan to enjoy the line dancing they teach. “Waltz music, Irish dance music, latin dance music…you name it and we dance to it,” explains Lydia.

Dance helps keep the Vitales healthy and happy, and complements their other activities like work, golf, spending time with grown children and grandkids, and gardening.

“Dancing keeps you young!” enthuses Lydia.” It helps your memory, balance, endurance, and keeps you physically fit. It is also a great social outlet. One of our true joys is to see people wander in not knowing what to expect, but end up making strong friendships and developing self confidence. They come in quite timid and self conscious about trying to dance, as they claim to have “two left feet.” Once they realize there is no pressure to do everything just right and that we are here to have fun, they relax and have a great time.”

All are welcome at the Sock Hop or Friday Night Line Dancing, so put on your dancing shoes and move to the beat with Bernie and Lydia!

Saturday, Sept 28, 7-9pm

Galilee Gym, 45425 Winding Road in Sterling, VA 20165

  • Dance to Oldies, Country, Salsa, Disco and more! Music by DJ Smiley
  • Bernie and Lydia Vitale leading line-dancing
  • Snacks and beverages
  • Ice cream donated by Bruster’s
  • All ages
  • Admission: One package of new socks or underwear. For convenience, you can buy on our Amazon registry

 

Come to the Sock Hop in the Gym and bring a pack of new socks with you. Socks and underwear are the most requested items at shelters for endangered adults and youth. Your donation will benefit children and adults seeking help through Mobile Hope of Leesburg and LAWS Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Services.