For Larry and Claudia Silverman, it's about spending time together doing something they love.  It's also about sharing that love with others.

        The Silvermans teach ballroom dancing through private and group lessons.  They started their business, Guys and Dolls Ballroom Dancing, about 20 years ago after taking lessons with a few friends for what they called "a night out and some laughs."

        "It was all her," Larry Silverman said, gesturing to his wife.  "I had a migraine that first night and to this day, she still doesn't believe me."

        "He just moaned and groaned," laughed Claudia Silverman. 

        "Truthfully the next day I went to Tower Records in Philadelphia and got a couple cassettes and brought them home without telling her.  I said let's go downstairs, to practice.  From that point we were hooked," Larry Silverman said.

        While none of their friends went further with more sessions all those years ago, the Silvermans progressed from group to private lessons at a Jamison, Bucks County Studio.  Then they started teaching.  Recently, while living in Newtown, they taught at the Lansdale YMCA.

        After moving to the Upper Perkiomen Valley last year, the couple said they were approached about teaching ballroom dancing at the Upper Perkiomen Valley YMCA.    

        They did a demo for those who were interested and signed on to do one class.  As their popularity grew, they came to offer three classes.  For those seven-week courses, participants learn one dance for three weeks, then another for the second three weeks before reviewing both the final week. 

        The only requirement is casual clothes, some leather-soled shoes (or just plain old socks) and a willingness to try something new.

        "There's nothing bad.  It keeps you fit; it's something we do together," said Claudia Silverman.  "He plays golf and I have my thing but this is something we do together.  It's wonderful. It's a stress reliever; when you're out on the floor you just have so much fun.  You don't have to think about anything else."

        "The best part of it is doing it together," said Larry Silverman.  "It always took me away.  I've always had a stressful job, and this is fun."

        About 95 percent of their participants have no prior dance experience, the couple said.  All the classes are currently for beginners, but they also host a monthly dance night at the Sellersville American Legion where beginners and intermediate dancers can take brief lessons before a three-hour dance party.  They try to play something for everybody, the couple said, with most of their music hailing from the 70s to today.  Selections include Pharrell's "Happy," which pairs well with a swing dance, and Robin Thicke's "Blurred Lines" for a cha cha or hustle.

        While Larry Silverman said the interest in ballroom dancing first took off with ABC's "Dancing With the Stars," regionally, it has continued to thrive.      

        People from their 20s into their 80s have signed up to learn how to dance for fun or for special occasions, like weddings. 

        Whether you're talking the bachata, swing, fox trot, waltz, salsa, merengue, samba or about half a dozen other dances, the Upper Hanover Township couple is who you want to help you navigate your way through the often intricate movements.       

        Practice, patience and perseverance are essential, said Claudia Silverman.

        "Everybody learns at a different pace, but it's important to be able to hear the music.  Feeling the music is important.  If you can feel the beat it's going to help your body tell your feet what to do," her husband noted, saying he calls the timing and steps out as they come up.

        "If you're out there having fun, we don't care," said Claudia Silverman.  "We'd like to help you do it properly, but we're in it for the social aspect of it.  

        Dan Baker and his wife, Annette, have been taking lessons for about five years.

        "We would definitely recommend it to others," Baker said.  "You can learn at your own pace and the Silvermans are willing to work with you for whatever you want to do.  They're very good teachers and we have fun doing it."

        Larry and Claudia Silverman are set to start a new ballroom session at the Upper Perkiomen Valley YMCA April 11.  In the future they hope to expand into a local hall to offer dances to the public right here in the valley.

        "We just think everybody should do it," said Claudia Silverman.

        "Get out and have a good time, that's what it's about," her husband said.

        For more information on Guys and Dolls Ballroom Dancing, call (215)666-2534 or (215)666-2535 or email guysandolls@comcast.net.