An Air of Romance Swirls Around Imperial Ballroom

On the ballroom floor, it must be the teamwork thing that makes couples look so happily-ever-after in love. Together they’re achieving what neither could accomplish dancing alone.

But it could also be the old-fashioned man-leads, woman-follows sense of chivalry, or the radiant smiles that inevitably shine. Maybe the diaphanous cocktail dress she wears has something to do with it.

All of the above create an air of romance at the Imperial Ballroom in Buena Park.

Attracting a largely over-50 clientele, this second-story nightspot (known as the Imperial Academy for ballroom dance during the week) dims the lights, brings in live bands and serves refreshments every weekend for waltzers and others.

Large photographs of famed ballroom champions, pink walls and a few fake potted plants make up the club’s simple decor, jazzed up for evenings with little white lights, a glitter ball and colored spotlights. Small tables and chairs flank the spacious dance floor, which abuts an area just for seating at one end.

Large windows and mirrors compensate for a slightly oppressive low ceiling, and people looking for fresh air can stroll onto a balcony, where the aroma of a barbecue restaurant wafts across the strip center in which the club is situated.

The live bands play tunes for all types of ballroom, swing and Latin dances. The three-piece Imperial Junction may have recently evoked crusty memories of the “Lawrence Welk Show,” but it also served up some Glenn Miller and Count Basie standards and other, peppy songs (“Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin’,” “On the Sunny Side of the Street”) that dancers never balked at.

On Saturday nights, the Imperial Ballroom caters to couples and groups only. Fridays are for singles, and, to break the ice, the deejay leads mixers. The ladies, holding hands in a large circle around the men, walk in a circular motion for a moment or two, until the music stops, at which point the men break out and invite the nearest woman (or whomever they wish, really) to dance. This process is repeated for a half-dozen or so dances.

Expertise levels vary, just like anywhere, but the crowd is friendly; there seem to be none of the cliques or attitudes common at other clubs, be they tailored for country, swing or deep house.

No alcohol is served, but soda and popcorn go for the low, low price of 50 cents, and bottled water is 75 cents. And with Friday and Saturday admission at $6 per person, you might just be able to save up for one of those diaphanous cocktail dresses and live happily ever after.

* IMPERIAL BALLROOM

* 8644 Stanton Ave., Buena Park.

* (714) 821-4961.

* Friday (singles, with couples allowed) and Saturday (couples and groups only) 8-11:30 p.m. (As a courtesy for the single dancers, the club provides a security guard in the parking lot on Fridays.

* $6.