DANCING DAYS : RESIDENTS HOPPING TO COMMUNITY CLASSES.

Byline: R.A. Hutchinson Daily News Staff Writer

From the mincing steps of a minuet to the gyrations of a belly dance, area residents are scooting out to the dance floor, ready to bop, hop or glide.

But before showing off fancy footwork, the new crop of Freds and Gingers is signing up for classes, according to recreation supervisors who see an increase in the number of area dancers learning disco, ballroom, tap and folk steps.

``It seems to be coming back again. It's a little more socially accepted now to dance with a partner,'' says Amy Jones, recreation coordinator for the Agoura Hills Department of Community Services. ``Dancing is one of the most traditional forms of recreation. It's great exercise.''

Through the city's recreation programs, dancers can learn disco, line dancing, ballroom and swing.

``I think a few years ago we saw older adults in our classes. Now we're seeing a lot of younger people. I think it's sort of trendy now,'' Jones said. ``Especially swing.''

Doug Gale, a recreation supervisor for the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District, also has seen gradual growth in the number of people taking dance classes.

He was unsure whether the numbers reflect a growing popularity of dancing or the attraction of taking classes in the barely 2-year-old Rancho Santa Susana Community Center in Simi Valley.

``The new community center has allowed us to offer more classes. Our most popular is by far and away the country and western line dances,'' Gale said. ``We have lots of interest in two-step and swing, also. Our biggest population base is when you don't need partners.''

That's also one of the main attractions for folk dancers, according to Lennie Pechi, a Thousand Oaks woman who has been a part of the Conejo Valley Folk Dancers for the past nine years.

Although she attends weekly classes with her husband, Lou, Pechi says most of the dances are Eastern European circle or line dances. The classes are offered through the Arts Council of the Conejo Valley and the Conejo Valley Recreation and Park District.

LEARN TO DANCE Agoura Hills Community Services Department offers classes in country and western line dances, nightclub freestyle, swing and rock 'n' roll. For more information, call [phone].

Arts Council of the Conejo Valley and the Conejo Recreation and Park District offer classes in folk, Brazilian, Greek, Scottish, tap and clogging. For more information, call [phone].

Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District offers classes in belly dancing, country and western, swing, clogging, Polynesian and Scottish dancing. For more information, call [phone].

CAPTION(S):

2 Photos, Box

Photo: (1--CONEJO only color) Scottish dance studen t Donna Ingram follows the lead of instructor Robb Quint during a class at the Cameron Center in Thousand Oaks.

Tina Gerson/Daily News

(2--SIMI only--color) A group of Polynesian dance students follows along during a Wednesday night class at the Rancho Susana Park Community Center in Simi Valley.

Tom Mendoza/Daily News

Box: LEARNING TO DANCE (see text)