Wednesday, October 15, 1997
As the Dancers Turn
DANCE
By Jammie Salagubang
Daily Bruin Contributor
They’re young. They’re restless. They show lots of sexy leg.
They are "The Ballroom Dance Club."
Monday night’s episode: Saucy tango music filled the air of the
Ackerman Grand Ballroom. In a huge circle made up of about 150
people, a couple sizzled past, legs flashing in killer, coordinated
moves and heads pressed together either in deep concentration or by
Krazy Glue. The crowd stared in mute fascination; for soon, they
too would try that dance …
"It’s (ballroom dancing) very beautiful in its synchronization,"
says Nihcole Mcdaniel, vice president of the Ballroom Dance Club.
"When you’re dancing together, you’re acting as one unit and you’re
sharing something together."
… They swirled around and past her, a panorama of diverse
people, but always in twos, always as a couple. She stood alone.
But wait, who was that in the distance? She swept a long, flowing
golden strand of hair away from her flawless face as the tall dark
stranger approached her with a smile …
"You don’t have to worry about coming alone. You can always meet
someone there," Mcdaniel says. "It’s a very casual, friendly
atmosphere."
Indeed, many people attend tonight’s lesson to get to know other
people. Third-year sociology student Vivian Yue and third-year
computer science student Calvin Chow met and danced together for
the first time at this dance lesson. Both say they came because it
sounded like fun, they wanted to learn more about ballroom dancing,
and of course, that it was interesting to meet new people.
"It brings different people together and it gives people a
chance to come together. It’s very classy and it’s very romantic,"
says James Zimmer, also known as "The Tango Man." Zimmer is the
director of the Ballroom Dance Club and has taught over 1,000
people this intricate dance.
… The music seemed to fill her soul and set her on her feet
with toes tapping. There was something about the atmosphere that
excited her. Was it the delicate strains of Mozart in the air? The
waltzing people? Or perhaps it was all those powdered wigs …
For those interested in the steps themselves, the club offers
swing, salsa and even old school (read: waltzes.) The club goes to
one or two "historical balls," which have themes like "Victorian,"
"Civil War" and "English Regency." Some members dress up in period
clothes, but Mcdaniel assures that most people dress casually. The
balls are for all ages and the dances are simple, but instructors
provide help for those who need it.
… Hmm, ballroom dancing sounded like fun, he thought. I wonder
if she will be there, the girl whose hair always looked beautiful,
never became wet in the rain, and woke up with her face made up.
Yes, I think this will be fun …
Fun seems to be the operative word here. Many people drop by the
lessons because they are interested in pursuing such amusement.
Computer science student Nick Miyake heard about the club through
friends. He says it sounded "different and entertaining." Many come
late or just by chance to the lessons, like Spanish student
Stephanie Gordon. She attended another meeting, saw the
announcement for the Ballroom Dance Club and decided to come on a
whim.
"It sounds very traditional and like something I can get in to,"
Gordon says.
… Once, kings and queens tried it, but then it was slowly
abandoned and viewed as too old-fashioned. But a second spring has
come this fall, and many are flocking to it once more. New life
swells again in this breast, for these are the "Days of the
Ballroom Dance …"
"Ballroom dancing has come back through a sociological change,"
theorizes Bill Lambert, an Argentine Tango dance teacher. "I don’t
know what caused it, but I like it."
DANCE: The Ballroom Dance Club offers lessons on Mondays,
Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7 p.m. and Wednesdays at 5 p.m. For more
information, call (310) 284-3636.
Photos by INGA DOROSZ/Daily Bruin
Law students Liza Parnassi and Afshin Kashi try new steps during
a Ballroom Dance Club gathering. Guest instructor Bill Lambert and
guest performer Anna-Marie Menendez are in the background.
Tom Lee (right) dances with Anusha Dahanayake in the Ackerman
Grand Ballroom.