Officials say they’ve been fielding inquiries from locals and artists from around the world about a permanent structure to honor the victims of the Jan. 21 massacre.
Standing back from the well-wishers and taking in the scene on Wednesday, Jenny Chu, who lost two friends in the carnage, gave lessons on proper dance hall etiquette.Having danced at the Star Ballroom studio for the past decade, Chu is well versed in the moves that turn strangers into friends.
She said the studio was a diverse community hub that drew people from across cultures, all connected through their love for movement. For those fortunate enough to find its gates tucked away among the bustling shops in downtown Monterey Park, it was their evening home. Chu now returns almost every night, no longer to dance but to bring fresh flowers and light another candle before standing back once more and reflecting on the space’s future.
At one time Chu would dance at the Star Ballroom or Lai Lai Ballroom and Studio nightly but she hasn’t been back on a ballroom floor since the shooting.While some in the community are waiting for the day the Star Ballroom reopens, seeing it as a sign of resilience, owner Maria Liang said Wednesday it’s too soon to make a decision about if or when the studio might reopen.“Many of my instructors and patrons and students, they want to continue to dance.
With a passion for dancing and a love for the community the studio built over its decades as a San Gabriel Valley dance staple, Liang purchased the Star Ballroom in 2013 and became the sole owner in 2017.
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