Due to the COVID-19 restrictions, Ballroom Dance Club members said they were required to come up with individual dances, rather than the traditional partner dances. Despite the circumstance, the club put on a lively and fun performance that consisted of 1920s and cha cha inspired moves that gave rise to cheers from the crowd.
Alexia Kaley, a senior from Texas majoring in secondary education and the club’s choreographer, said the Ballroom Dance Club’s Culture Night numbers have typically kept to the same formula over the years. However, this year she decided to make it a little more lively, she said.
The club’s costumes were simple this year, consisting of plain black shirts and knee-length red skirts. Kaley said the group kept their costumes simple so they wouldn’t take away from the dances.
Abigail Smith, a junior from Ohio majoring in computer science and the vice president of the club, said ballroom dance is based on partner dances, but current circumstances required dancers to stay 6 feet apart at all times.
To adjust to these requirements, Kaley said she based her choreography off of Latin and 1920s style dances and made them into individual steps to follow the 6-feet apart rule.
Over the course of a few weeks leading up to Culture Night, Kaley said she had put together their dance numbers, filmed them and posted them on Facebook.
Smith said they practiced virtually and in person to learn the dances and said all of the group members were great contributors and fast learners.
Kaley said it was her last Culture Night because she is graduating this year. She said she grew up dancing because her mother was a dance teacher. Her mother’s creativity inspired this year’s exciting choreography, she said.
Gabriela Nielson, a freshman from California with an undecided major, said she was most excited to experience everything Culture Night had to offer.
Nielson explained she did swing dancing in high school and always wanted to learn more, which was why she decided to join the Ballroom Dance Club. She said she was excited to branch out and explore the other types of ballroom dancing.
Nielson expressed how close the group had become and appreciated the connection the group shared. The group became a “little family” during dance practices, she said, adding she felt supported and loved by everyone in the group.
Alexis Clement, a freshman from Nevada majoring in elementary education, shared she joined the Ballroom Dance Club because she had done it earlier in life and wanted to join with a friend who was a part of the group. She expressed eagerness to perform even though they’re a small group.
She explained, “I’m really excited to master the dances, and it’s fun to perform and more fun to be the best at it and put all my energy into it.” She shared she’s used to performing and enjoyed preparing for Culture Night and learning about the different styles of dance.
Smith said she looked forward to performing in Culture Night last year but was unable to because of its cancellation. She said, “I’ve seen culture night before and knew it was something I wanted to do. I’ve never done ballroom dance, so it would be fun to learn something new and to perform.”
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