By: Autumn Klein
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (UATV) – Not all sports use balls, mitts or bats – this sport requires a pair of high heels.
The University of Arkansas’s ballroom dancing team is a part of University Recreation, or UREC club sports. The team meets three times a week to practice American-style ballroom dancing. These two types of dancing styles are known as American smooth and American rhythm. American smooth dancing consists of styles such as the Waltz, the Tango and the Foxtrot. American rhythm includes dances like the Cha Cha, the Rumba and the East Coast Swing.
The Ballroom Dancing Club holds classes Sundays, Mondays and Thursdays. Sunday practices are “open-floor” style – meaning these practices are a bit more laidback, and open to anyone. Their schedule is as follows:
Sundays: 7-9 p.m.
Mondays: 7-8:30 p.m.
Thursdays: 8-9 p.m.
The team usually competes about once a semester. They have traveled to competitions in Texas, Mississippi and Alabama. The team has successfully earned 1st, 2nd and 3rd places at the levels of silver, bronze and newcomer dance at both regional and national competitions. The club also received the accolade of Club of the Year for the academic year of ’17-’18.
Despite their success, many members said the club was their first experience ever dancing. One member, Daniel Maxenberger, said “I had zero ballroom dancing experience before I joined this club and that did not affect any of my learning, it was very conducive to beginners.”
Maxenberger also said that if he could tell any nonmember one thing, it would be to join their club. For him, being a part of the team has meant more than just dancing and winning awards.
“Dancing is relaxation and entertainment, its excitement, it is a partnership – something that can connect people and can connect you more to yourself,” he said. He said that it is not all about dancing, but about having fun and making friendships. Current president of the Ballroom Club Rachel Sweningson said she agrees with that. This club was also her first experience ballroom dancing and for her, it has become a way to find her best friends.
“It was super out of my comfort zone to do dancing, but I found a really strong community and a really fun activity to do,” she said. Sweningson said anyone is welcome to join at any time, they are always accepting new members.
For those interested in learning more, you can visit the team’s Hogsync page. While Sunday practices are open to all, in order to join Monday or Thursday lessons, members must pay a $40 fee for the semester, or $70 to come on both days.