Now Ballroom Fun Even Fits a Tight Budget

Take a step back in time with these two finds--an evening of ballroom dancing for as little as $6, or dinner and dancing for $20.

One of the best deals around is at Reuben’s in Thousand Oaks, where big-band ballroom dancing with a 17-piece orchestra called the Melodymakers and featuring the music of Glenn Miller, Artie Shaw, Tommy Dorsey and Benny Goodman, is presented by the steakhouse on specific Fridays and Sundays.

Dinner and dancing is $20, including tax and tip. The menu selection includes lemon herb chicken, roast prime rib or fresh fish with salad, rose potatoes, vegetables, beverage and chocolate mousse for dessert. Dinner is at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and 5 p.m. Sundays. Reservations are required, and the steakhouse suggests calling a week in advance.

Upcoming dates: Sundays on May 24, June 28, July 26 and Aug. 16. Fridays on Sept. 4, Oct. 2, Nov. 6 and Dec. 4.

* Reuben’s Steak House, 299 S. Moorpark Road, Thousand Oaks. Pay at the door with cash or American Express, Diner’s Club, Discover, MasterCard or Visa. Call (818) 889-0722.

There’s a fairly new setup at the Arthur Murray Dance Studio in Glendale. From 7 to 11:30 p.m. Saturdays, the doors are open to the public for Club AM. This is the only night of the week that people who are not registered Arthur Murray students can spin around the new 1,200-square-foot dance floor. The music is live some Saturday nights and canned on others.

And here’s a big plus--one hour of ballroom dance instruction is included with admission. On live-music nights (May 30, June 13 and 27), the entrance fee is $10 per person, and when the music is canned, the price drops to $6. The one-hour instruction focuses on a different style of ballroom dancing each week.

Unlike other ballrooms available to the public, there is no bar and no smoking is allowed, except on the outdoor terrace. Complimentary baskets of popcorn are placed on the tables, and soft drinks or coffee are available.

* Arthur Murray Dance Studio, 231 1/2 N. Brand Blvd., Glendale. Open 7 to 11:30 p.m. Saturdays. Cash only. For information, call Ava Mikos at (818) 242-5672.