Swingin' and Salsa in Levering Hall

The Johns Hopkins Ballroom Dance Association (JHUBDA) is not one of the most widely-known student groups on campus; however, it has a great deal more to offer than the everyday math, science or even soccer association. With classes this semester in both Latin and Swing dancing, JHUBDA can teach you the hot moves necessary to cut up the dance floor and waltz the night away.

The current presidents of JHUBDA, Nancy Tulathimutte and Amy Kwan, are both seniors at Hopkins and full-time ballroom dance devotees. They have been with the group since they were sophomores, only a couple years following the club's initial formation. It is still a relatively new club on campus, since it has only been in existence for a little over five years. The classes, however have a relatively high attendance rate, with a little over 100 people making their way to Levering Hall every Monday night. Tulathimutte said, "There are a lot of people on the first day, but the amount usually declines when people's schedules pick up."

Both Tulathimutte and Kwan joined the club two years ago as students in the Swing and Latin dance classes. The classes have always been and continue to be taught by professional dance instructors. Heather Kirtland and Jason Cusack are the dance mavens who have been teaching the Hopkins crowd for the past two years. Both of them also teach lessons to many Baltimore residents at the Downtown Athletic Club.

This year, the JHUBDA is sponsoring Swing and Latin dancing. Because of the upsurge in Swing and Latin popularity, Ballroom will not be offered this semester. Just to give you a little bit of history behind the two genres of dancing, the Lindy Hop, which is the original style of swing dancing, was first created in the 20th century. The 1930s and 40s saw the height of Swing dancing popularity, with the prevalence of big band music and jazz. The term "Lindy Hop" was coined around 1927 after Charles Lindbergh had completed his "hop" across the Atlantic. The dance itself combines elements of jazz dance with jigs such as the Big Apple, The Charleston and the Texas Tommy. These are all very quick and somewhat acrobatic moves, so it makes the overall dance very energetic. The Lindy Hop first came into being in the Savoy Ballroom of Harlem, N.Y. The main floor step is the Swingout, the most basic move in the Lindy Hop, in which the partners move away from each other while dancing and which gives it it's distinctive look. Over the years, many other styles of Swing have developed from the Lindy Hop, including West Coast Swing, East Coast Swing, Roackabilly Swing, Boogie Woogie and Ballroom.

Latin dancing has the majority of its roots outside of the U.S. What is now termed "Latin Dancing" is really a combination of Spanish, French and American styles. There are five primary dances that are a part of the Latin genre which are the Samba, Rumba, Paso Doble, Cha Cha and Jive. Latin dancing has a longer, more extensive history, dating all the way back to 14th and 15th centuries. The moves and motions involved are quick, but not quite as acrobatic as those in Swing dancing. Latin dancing can be easier for people to pick up, since it requires you to move fast and shake your booty like Ricky Martin. This can be attributed to the fact that Latin dancing orginated with indigenous people, and that they used dancing as a way to celebrate festivals and feasts.

Both of these types of dancing are widely popular today. Latin and Swing especially have become a part of popular culture since the ubiquitous Gap khaki's commercials, the Squirrel Nut Zippers and Ricky Martin.

Since it's inception, the JHUBDA has offered Ballroom, Swing and Latin dancing to both undergrad and graduate students, as well as anyone looking to improve their dance repertoire. Since the group is subsidized by the University, there is no fee involved for undergraduates, but there is a mere $25 requirement for everyone else. There is no experience required, or a partner for that matter. Beginner's classes are from 6 to 6:45 p.m. on Monday nights, and the intermediate classes are from 6:45 to 7:30 p.m. Kwan and Tulathimutte both reccommend starting with the beginner classes this semester and moving on to intermediate next semester. The club does not offer opportunities for competition at this point, but according to Tulathimutte, "Our long term goal would be to put together competitive teams."

So there is something for both the people with two left feet and the highly skilled dancers.

Currently, the JHUBDA is in the beginning of their eight-week Swing dancing session. So if you go next Monday, you will be two classes behind the rest of the crowd. There is still time to join, but if you don't make it this month, they are beginning the Latin dancing classes on October 10. Those classes will be offered for five weeks and will be held on Wednesday nights. These classes are relaxed and informal, so have fun with your friends and learn some new moves to use on the ladies - or gentlemen, for all you dance divas.