Music and Spanish sophomore Sarah Brzysk and music education sophomore Andrew Allmon dance at the Union Ballroom on Jan. 17, 2014. First time ballroom dancers, both agreed that swing dancing was the most fun out of the three styles they learned. Casey Hull/The State News
The Union Ballroom was transformed into a dance floor for both the graceful and the clumsy on Friday night.
“So You Want to Learn to Dance” gave students of any dancing background a chance to learn the basic steps of three types of dance: cha-cha, swing dancing and waltz. The event, put together by University Activities Board and hosted by members of the MSU Ballroom Dance Team, was free for students with ID.
The lessons started near 9 p.m., when graduate student Dan Totzkay and linguistics senior Nicole Markovic took the floor to teach the gathered students how to unleash their inner dancer with the beginning steps of the cha-cha.
The boys flocked behind Totzkay and the girls behind Markovic as the two slowly demonstrated the normally quick steps of the dance without a partner so their students could learn where to place their feet without worrying about anyone else.
“Cha, cha, cha, two, three,” Totzkay said to set the pace, which he gradually quickened over time. Once the students seemed to have the hang of it, Totzkay and Markovic left the floor and told everyone to find a partner before they turned on the music.
Some students glided effortlessly into their own rhythm, though it wasn’t so simple for others — feet were stepped on and students were tripped over, but their constant smiles and laughter were enough indication that they were all having a great time.
“We’re trying to expose people to ballroom dancing in a cheap way,” said Amanda Morris, a sociology senior and president of the team. “We really just wanna get people dancing.”
More lessons were hosted in the Mosaic Multicultural Unity Center because the ballroom was too crowded.
Between the three lessons, the floor was cleared for open dancing, which gave students an opportunity to take a break or hit the dance floor with their own freestyle.
Before the evening came to a close, the floor was cleared once again and students retreated to the surrounding tables.
Pairs had been registering for the event’s dance-off throughout the night, and the seven teams were ready to face off for two Beats by Dre Pill speakers.
The pairs were judged on their entertainment value, togetherness with their partner and the technicality behind their dance, Morris said.
After the two rounds were completed, the judges agreed that the team of advertising sophomore Nicole Nalazek and predental freshman Matthew Oatten best displayed all three qualities.
The duo were encouraged by the event to consider joining the team.
The evening came to a close as the clock struck midnight, and everyone joined in for one last dance: “the Wobble.”
“I came out tonight because it was a fun, free alternative to a typical Friday night,” said hospitality business senior Nicole Drew. “Plus it was fun to watch my friends make fools of themselves as they attempt to learn to dance. It’s a good time.”
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