While many club goers at the weekend will be miming box stackers to fast dance beats, those at Penelopes will be enjoying a different kind of dance music this weekend.

From ballroom to jive, dancers at Penelopes can test out their steps to a DJ spinning music from as Little Richard to Latin American as part of Strictly Penelopes, a new club night starting this Saturday and, depending on its popularity, may become a regular night at the intimate club.

Club owner and dancing enthusiast Penelope (that's her in her dance teacher guise on the giant billboard at the rear of the Central Library building) says: "We're throwing out the rule book and banishing house music for a the evening. If you love Strictly Come Dancing this is the night for you."

"Everybody loves dancing – thousands of people go to dance classes across the city but there's no social setting in which they can just dance. I love proper dancing and, although I like house music, I also love Forties swing and show tunes," says Penelope.

But there's more. Starting on the first Wednesday of every month Penelopes is hosting Society Showcase, series of themed evenings showcasing songs from musicals. Avid fans can dress up, sing and dance in the style of the evening's theme shows. "We're working with amateur dramatic groups across the city and giving them tickets – the groups can keep the money from their own ticket sales while we take the money on the door.

"There'll be a carbaret show with lots of audience participation. We're giving out song sheets so everybody can join in." In addition to singing, each night will also have its own dancing. "For the Oklahoma night we'll be playing Americana and country and doing line dancing. When it's the Viva Mexico night we'll be playing songs from Evita."
And there's no escaping the theatrical spirit: "We'll be encouraging everyone to dress up," says Penelope.
lStrictly Penelopes starts this Saturday and Society Showcase starts on Wednesday.