About the Club

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Our Bronze Class

Callout2010/callout_spr10_ladies.JPG

Our Bronze Class

The Purdue Latin and Ballroom Dance Club

is a university organization that promotes the sport of ballroom dancing.

Although our club focuses on the needs of college student dancers,

we are open to all university affiliates as well as members of the local community.

We offer multiple weekly group classes for newcomer, beginner, intermediate, and advanced dancers

in social and competitive ballroom dancing. it is not necessary to bring a partner to these classes,

and no prior dance skill is required to start in the beginner classes.

The Dances we teach

International Standard

The "Standard" style dances include Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot, Quickstep, and Viennese Waltz.

These are dances where the dancers move around the room and have a "smooth/flowing" feel,
or a "sharp and driven" feel depending upon the style of the dance.

International Latin

The "Latin" style dances include the Cha-Cha, Samba, Rumba, Paso-Doble, and Jive.
In these dances, the dancers have more body-action, focusing on twisting, leg lines, and hip-action.

The Jive(Swing) is a dance derived from the American Big Band and early Rock-and-Roll eras,
while the Cha-Cha, Samba, and Rumba are Latin-American dances.

American Rhythm and American Smooth

Occasionally during the semester we will have American style workshops.
The Rhythm dances include ChaCha, Rumba, Swing, Bolero, and Mambo.

The Smooth dances include Waltz, Foxtrot, Vienesse Waltz, and Tango.

Nightclub

Finally, if everyone advances quickly enough, we may use the extra time to learn a few fun night-club dances,
such as Hustle, Salsa, Merengue, Lindy, Polka.

The Ladies of PBDT

Some of the team's ladies after a competition

Social Dances

Besides providing lesson and practice times, our club also holds social dances 2 or 3 times during the semester. Usually, these coincide with holidays, such as Halloween, Christmas, Valentines Day, or university milestones such as "dead week".

Competitions

Our team attends several in-state and out-of-state competitions each semester. On these road trips, we get to meet dancers from around the country who share the passion to dance, as we test our skills against theirs.

At these events, dozens of couples will dance simultaneously to the same song (no one has to do a solo). Each couple is ranked individually against other couples competing who have the same experience level. Each successful placement earns points for the team. Even just participation earns points for the team. There is never any penalty for not winning. So even in your first semester, you can help us maintain our national reputation by competing against other first semester dancers.

Shows

Besides representing Purdue University at intercollegiate competitions,

the team also performs dance routines for local community groups and events in order to raise funds for competition costs, and to gain experience in front of an audience.

Welcome

Those of us in the Purdue Ballroom Dance Club would like to extend an invitation to anyone

who is interested in experiencing the joy and beauty of dancing.

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