Summer dance opportunities alive at Iowa State

By Kaleb Warnock
Daily Correspondent

Although a large portion of the student body has gone home for the summer, the numerous dance organizations on campus are offering a multitude of things to do for those of us who decided to stick around Ames. Whether or not you have any experience in the art of dance, there are opportunities through the various styles taught by the groups like the ISU Ballroom Dance Club and through the Memorial Union Workspace.

The ISU Ballroom Dance Club hosts weekly dance socials Friday nights throughout the fall and spring semesters, as well as into the summer sessions, but the location may vary depending on the time of year. Although the evening sessions are intended as practice sessions for those taking lessons through the club, ballroom dance instructor Mark Mehl invites people of all skill levels to come and enjoy the free dance. If you show up early, he might even show you a move or two.

The social itself is free, but the club offers instruction for all skill levels and the summer dance lessons will begin mid-June.  The dance lessons cover styles from swing, waltz and foxtrot with an emphasis on Latin styles as well. The music of the socials varies depending on the audience, and the live DJ is always open to requests. The best source for information would be through the ISU Ballroom Dance Club website at www.stuorg.iastate.edu/ballroom or by e-mailing Mark Mehl at ballroom-info@iastate.edu.

The Workspace is also active during the summer. Valerie Williams teaches an Argentine Tango class from 4 – 5 p.m. Sunday, and an offers an open dance from 5 – 7 p.m. The class is open to ISU students, as well as anyone else in the community from any skill level of dancing,

“We have everyone from college students to adults; the age range goes from 18 to 60.” Williams said. “We have a really fun group, Argentine Tango is a social dance, so everyone dances with everyone … we have a lot of fun too.”

Argentine Tango is different from many American styles because it is based primarily on improvisation and interaction between the dancers and the music rather than a standard dance step and variations. There is no basic step to Argentine Tango, because the dance is based on the musicality and interpretation of the music by the dancers. Rather than single steps, Tango is taught through a series of figures, which are a combination of steps that can be built on one another and combined to form intricate conversation between dancers and music. Payment for the class is based on punch cards that can be purchased at the Union.

Ballroom Club Dance Socials
When: 7:30 – 9:45 p.m. Fridays
Where: Gallery Room, Memorial Union
Cost: Free

Workspace Argentine Tango classes
When: 4 – 5 p.m. Sundays, except May 30 and July 4, open dance 5 – 7 p.m.
Where: 3512 Memorial Union
Cost: Punch cards – $30 for students, $40 for non-students