Give It A Whirl

For over three decades patrons have been expecting unique restaurants, upscale boutiques and one of-a-kind shops at Flower Hill Mall. In these economic times small business are coming and going like a revolving door, its here Tanya and Louis McKay Jr. chose to launch new business, Whirl Ballroom.

While ballroom isn’t new, it’s a new concept and the first ballroom in a mall setting. It's a step forward for all parties of concerned coastal community, couples, residents, mall merchants, owner and developer alike.

What was once two vacant shops is now a new open space with two walls of mirrored glass, a high ceiling and a warm wooden dance floor that invites patrons to give dance a whirl. McKay calculates for about the same cost and time of a movie, you can take a dance lesson. The placement of a hand on a back, light touch on the shoulder, eye contact help make people connect.

San Diego’s premiere Ballroom is tucked inside the Arts & Craft original facade, on the second level, Whirl would be at home on a New York City street corner, just like its now vacant mall neighbor. The Morrison Hotel Gallery owner Rich Horowitz cited low foot traffic as the reason The Morrison closed in Del Mar.

Will the mall’s newest shop have better luck?

McKay doesn’t believe in luck. “Things happen because you make them happen,” he said, although he also believes in being in the right place at the right time.

For McKay, Whirl fits in the Del Mar triangle, between Solana Beach and Rancho Santa Fe, as a place where all ages can kick back and kick up their heels any day or night of the week. It also fits with developer and owner Jeffery Essakow’s vision to make Flower Hill the center of the community.

Long before Starbucks, locals came to Pannikin, where McKay, wearing his Dance Arts logo shirt, struck up a conversation with Essakow. As they talked, they connected and as often the case more than coffee was put on the table. Essakow offered McKay an opportunity to open a new business in the mall.

But first, McKay needed to talk to his wife and business partner.

“Not on your life” was Tanya’s immediate response.

“We’re not ballroom people, but could recommend some.” Tanya told Essakow, but he apparently thought otherwise, recognizing in them the potential they see in others.

Dance Arts in Carmel Valley has a loyal following, and a three year wait list to train with them. Here they teach-ballet, jazz and tap for children and adults, even those barely old enough to tie their own tap shoes-with patience and enthusiasm.

At first meeting, Louis and Tanya, appear years younger. In their tiny office hangs a large portrait of the attractive middle aged couple with their four children. Off the studio, is a bright mural playroom, originally built for their youngest daughter, who today is in college and an accomplished dancer. On top of the large file cabinets are dozens of tiny framed portraits of their dance family, many old enough to enroll their own children.

The hallway connecting the studio to the office is covered with photographs signed by famous TV celebrities A personal note from Debbie Reynolds, who is still performing, reads “Louis you are a marvelous talent and like a second son to me.” They remain good friends today.

Louis McKay own parents know self-sacrifice. His mother gave up a Julliard scholarship to raise six children. Louis McKay, Sr., who lost his leg in combat, always claimed singing kept him alive in the foxholes as a marine during The World War II. His father's Purple Heart is proudly displayed in the office.

“Everything’s going to be great!” Tanya smiles, he always says that, but admits his positive attitude is his best quality that and his ease at talking to people.

However, when asked how he feels performing in front of an audience, the gregarious Louis was at a loss for words After an awkward silence, Tanya answered for him, offering a timeline of his life in the spotlight.

Tanya said, "I can't say how he feels," but Tanya describes Louis and the whole McKay clan as "a bunch of hams.”

Louis started singing in church at age six and joined his father at the San Diego Opera six years later. For eight years in his 20’s he shared the Broadway stage with Debbie Reynolds, in “Annie Get Your Gun,” and appeared on TV specials and variety shows. He also traveled the world before he opened his first dance studio 30 years ago.

Tanya follows Louis's lead, whether in dance, riding on back of his Harley, or starting a new adventure. Only after consulting, negotiating and reassessing their business model, together they decided "to go full out."

The McKays show no signs of slowing down. They teach dance everyday and are at Whirl three nights a week. Since they can’t be in two places at once, they hired loyal staff and interviewed a variety of instructors classical to modern trained, Now offering Tango, Swing, Salsa, Waltz, Zumba and more.

Their logical choice to host the adult social events is Lynn and Oscar Ortega. “We can’t wait to go to work at Whirl.” Lynn said cheerfully. “It’s a great diversion from their real estate jobs.” Dance has kept her positive even amid the real estate downturn she said not to mention petite, even with a dish of frozen yogurt, which melted as she chatted about herself.

“I’m a late bloomer. I didn’t dance until the age of 45," she said.

After her divorce rather than staying in and brooding, she drove herself downtown to dance.

She wasn’t a wallflower when Oscar, a dance champion, swept her off her feet, literally. Lynn, only 103 pounds, even then practiced lifts and won contests. Then she won Oscar’s heart.

As husband and wife, they use humor and fun to keep couples from stepping on each others toes and egos. They provide Latin and ballroom instruction from 7 -9 p.m. on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. There is a dance party from 8-10 pm on Friday, when you may bring your own bottle of wine, they bring the glasses. You won’t need special shoes, high heels are fine for women and for men leather soles, because rubber soles stick to the floor.

The high chairs and tables are at eye level to watch the dancers. Alabaster lights hang from the ceiling and cast a warm glow, but the glow upon the faces of the women when they “get it” is most rewarding for Lynn.

Over their desk hangs a handmade sign,” In each lesson in life there must be one who teaches love.” They want everyone to take a lesson.

The ballroom can be reserved for private parties to accommodate as many as 50 guests. A separate room is available and private lessons may be arranged. While geared towards adults, they encourage ages 9-17, and recently 6-8 year old to participate in all classes and train for competitions.

Whirl Ballroom 2670 Via de la Valle Suite A215 Del Mar, California 92014 (858) 350-9447 www.whirlballroom.com