Although the dance floor is filled with people having a good time while others watch and hold conversations on the sidelines, this isn’t a typical club. It’s a weekly event held by Our Dance Place, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to make the lives of people with disabilities better.

 

Our Dance Place is a social entertainment club for developmentally disabled persons and people with disabilities where they can get together with friends in a safe, hassle-free social environment, dancing, dining, talking and having fun; a place where they can be themselves, meet new people and have a sense of belonging.

 

Founder John Thorp had retired and wasn’t feeling fulfilled although he was deejaying and entertaining at weddings and special events. After providing entertainment for an event at Camp Friendship, a branch of the nonprofit organization True Friends that is dedicated to enhancing independence and self-esteem for people with disabilities, he had found his new calling.

 

“I had such great fun at that event,” said Thorp. “More fun than at corporate events.”

 

Music has always been a part of Thorp’s life. Along with deejaying, he had been a musician in a couple bands over the years. Providing musical entertainment for people with disabilities was a natural step.

 

He created the nonprofit Our Dance Place, and along with his partner, Mike Johnson, began holding dances in Blaine in 2015. 

 

Word spread and the organization has grown, first to Forest Lake, then to Cambridge, and most recently to Clearwater. More areas are planned for the future.

 

Clearwater came about after Thorp deejayed for a wedding at Driftwood Golf and Fitness last summer and remarked how nice the facility was. He and Wayne Murphy, co- owner of Driftwood, came to an agreement, and now dances are offered there every Thursday from 5:30 to 8 p.m. 

 

“The cost is $5 at the door, chaperones are free,” said Murphy. “We sent out information to all the group homes in Minnesota and social workers from surrounding school districts, but word of mouth has been best.”          

 

Currently around 26 people come to the dances in Clearwater, in Blaine the number is up to 300.       

  

“We had an open mic night recently and a girl sang and signed the song,” said Murphy. “It brought tears to my eyes.”

 

Thorp also shared stories, including one about a girl who had lived in a group home all her life, never going anywhere except to work and back. Coming to the weekly dances changed her life, and now she’s even shopping for new clothes and getting her hair and nails done.

 

At another dance, a girl with Down Syndrome sang a song for the audience, her staff didn’t even know she could sing. 

 

“The transformation in these people is amazing,” said Thorp. “They each have a hidden talent, but you won’t find it if you don’t look for and nurture it.”

 

Our Dance Place features themed dance nights and a prom with a king and queen at each location. Thorp spoke to a woman who gives away free prom dresses, and this year she set aside a day for Our Dance Place patrons. Prom at the Clearwater location this year is May 9. 

 

“It’s amazing how they change from little moths to beautiful butterflies,” said Thorp. “I’m used to seeing them one way and then they come in these beautiful dresses.” 

 

He always makes a point to compliment them so they’re recognized, as many of them have so much negative in their lives he feels it’s important to be positive.

“At our last prom, the king and queen that were crowned cried because they were so happy,” he said. “This is what it’s all about.”

 

Our Dance Place is staffed entirely by volunteers, so with whatever extra money they have left at the end of the month they hold birthday parties at each location.

“I buy a cake and make my own birthday cards,” said Thorp. “Then I go to places like Subway and Pizza Hut for gift cards.”

 

Thorp also helps mentor individuals. One girl was from a troubled home and was a slow learner who didn’t get good schooling; today she’s his secretary.

 

He also mentors people in deejaying.

 

“The hardest part is figuring out how to read the crowd so you can entertain them and get them out on the dance floor with the flow of the music,” said Thorp.

 

“The importance of all of this isn’t what I’m getting out of it,” he said, “I’m not doing it for my benefit, but for the people who now have the opportunity to get together with friends.”

 

Our Dance Place is always looking for volunteers and corporate and company support. For more information visit ourdanceplace.org or email John@ourdanceplace.org.

 

“Once you see those smiling faces you’re hooked,” said Thorp. “It’s a whole different world with them. It’s been a pleasure, I never have a dull moment.”