WHEELING — David Burton is a former resident of Steubenville, having lived 28 years in the city.

Burton serves as the president of a once grand, but now, “quite small dance club” in Wheeling, known as the Big Band 200 Club — a club which currently has 22 couples participating in its dances.

While some might think that number is a fairly good amount of attendees, Burton says he has been informed the “200” in the club’s name, refers to its membership, which was once limited to 200 couples. There were that many people interested in taking part in that art of dance.

“We rent the ballroom at the Osiris Shrine in the Oak Grove area of Wheeling, and we try to have four to five dances each year,” Burton explained. “As our name implies, we try to have an actual big band to provide live music for our dances. This year, we’ve scheduled Matt Hill’s so-called Little Big Band, which has around eight to nine musicians.”

“A few years ago, we even had the Glen Miller Orchestra due to a very generous one-time gift to the club,” Burton recalled.

He noted there is a dress code for participants, with a coat and tie required for the gentlemen, and dressy and tasteful attire for the ladies.

“In short, we try to continue with a tradition of dancing the way our parents did,” Burton stated. “We do get some younger members, but as yet, the number of younger members coming in does not make up for the older members who, for various reasons, are no longer able to continue with us.”

The Big Band 200 Club will hold all of its dances beginning at 7 p.m., with the first dance of the season set from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Sept. 6.

Prior to the dance at 6 p.m., the annual club membership meeting and election of officers will take place in the parlor of the Osiris Shrine. Nominations from the floor will be accepted.

The next dance is scheduled to be held Dec. 6. Wally Gingers Orchestra will perform.

A disc jockey will entertain dancers during the March 21 dance.

Wally Merriman will perform at the dance scheduled for May 2.

All four dances will be held at the Osiris Shrine, located on the corner of National Road and Kruger Street.

All dances include the traditional coffee and doughnuts during intermission.

All dances are BYOB, but the Club will provide soft drinks, ice and snacks at no charge.

The dress code will be formal-optional, with men asked to wear a tie at all times, along with a jacket while on the dance floor.

Women can wear a dress, skirt or slacks, as long as the outfit is dressy and tasteful.

A four-dance subscription is $85 per person. If you cannot attend a dance, you can arrange for another person or couple to attend as your replacement.

Contact Membership Chair Ben Safranski to make arrangements at (740) 461-2770.

Anyone may attend any number of dances at the cost of $35 per person, or $15 for students who have a proper student ID.

Reservations should be made prior to the dance by contacting Safranski. Registration forms should indicate where you would like to be seated.

Those wanting to sit with a particular group of friends can work out the seating in advance by requesting a table or group of tables and choosing one person’s name for the group.

For information, visit the club’s Facebook page.