A chance to dance

Emme Harms, Staff Reporter

Want to meet new people, learn a new skill and help support a UW-La Crosse club, all at the same time? You can at the first ever UW-L Ballroom Dance Team’s Fall Ball. The event will not only serve as a fundraiser for the group, but also as a way to learn and participate in a fun activity. The Fall Ball will be held in the Mitchell Hall gymnasium from 8-11 p.m. on Sept. 20. Tickets will be sold at the door only and are $2 for students and $3 for all other community members.
No experience is necessary, but an optional, short lesson is available before the event officially begins, from 7-8 p.m. in the Mitchell Hall gymnasium. The hour long lesson will be divided into beginner and intermediate sessions, and each lesson will be taught by dance professionals. The lesson will be more about getting the basic movements down, not about being an expert. The instructors and team members will be available for help throughout the dance portion as well. An information table will have a song list and the type of dance that can be done with each song. There will also be dance etiquette tips available for participants to learn how social dances typically operate.
Other competitive and social ballroom teams from the area will be in attendance, and the event is open to faculty and community members of all ages. Feel free to come alone or with friends. There will be people of all ages and all skill levels! The dress code is semi-formal, but there is no need to have a special outfit or shoes.
The event is meant to get people interested and involved in the team, more than anything. The team currently has nine members and is looking for anyone who has an interest. There will be an informational meeting on Thurs., Sept. 11 at 7 p.m. in 326 Cartwright Center. There is no pressure to join the team and no audition to become a member. Feel free to come to a few practices before making a decision! The team is looking for people who just want to have fun or people interested in competing. All are welcome.
Co-captain Bethany Schur said, “It’s a great way to put yourself out there and a good skill to have.” Schur said she has used her ballroom experience at weddings and other events. It is also a good way to build networks with people from other teams, faculty members and people from the community. Schur says people are often intimidated by ballroom dance since not many people know about it, but anyone can be good if they give it a try.
In addition to attending social and competitive dances with other teams, the UW-L Ballroom Dance Team will be at the involvement fair on campus and in November, host their Dancing with the Stars event. For more information, please visit the team’s Facebook page or contact Bethany Schur at [email protected].