Slide for Health

In 1992, MTV introduced The Grind, a wildly popular dance show hosted by the perpetually shirtless Eric Nies and featuring anyone who could shake his or her ass without breaking a sweat to the latest in hip-hop and rap hits. Eventually spawning its own series of VHS tapes for teens everywhere, The Grind turned dancing into exercise. Sixteen years later, in south Kansas City, folks are doing pretty much the same thing every Monday night at Billy B’s Restaurant and Bar (9922 Holmes, 816-943-1188). The line-dancing instruction event, with certified aerobics instructor and choreographer De Barker as host, combines old- and new-school dances, social graces, networking and exercise. “In the African-American community, we dance, and I wanted to use that to help with obesity problems,” Barker explains. Join the mostly mature crowd (though all ages are welcome) from 7 to 11 p.m. and work your way through the Jungle Slide, the Head Sprung and the Bossy. Admission is free, but there’s a two-drink minimum.

Mondays, 7-11 p.m., 2008