August 04, 2008

SIUC to offer popular ballroom dancing classes

by Ashley McRaven

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Ever go to weddings, parties or dinner dances and wish you had the confidence to get up and dance? Looking for new and fun ways to exercise or socialize? If so, the Division of Continuing Education at Southern Illinois University Carbondale has just the thing for you in the form of ballroom dancing courses.

The Beginning Ballroom Dancing class offers beginners and veteran dancers alike a quick introduction to the basic waltz, tango, foxtrot, rumba, cha cha and swing dances. It’s instruction in leading and following and good dance technique. Prior dance experience isn’t needed.

Beyond Beginner Ballroom Dancing expands on the instruction provided in the beginner’s course. Instructors will teach advanced ballroom dance techniques.

Two sessions of each of the popular classes are coming to the SIUC campus in Ballroom A of the Student Center this fall. Session I for both classes will meet on Tuesdays from Aug. 26 through Sept. 30 (except for Sept. 9). It’ll feature the waltz, tango and foxtrot. Session II runs from Oct. 7 through Nov. 11 (except for Oct. 21), also on Tuesdays, and the focus will be the rumba, cha cha and swing. The “Beyond Beginner Ballroom Dancing” classes run from 6 to 7:30 p.m. followed by the “Beginning Ballroom Dancing” classes from 7:30 to 9 p.m.

Couples and singles are welcome. The cost is $30 per participant for each multi-week session. For more information or to register, contact the Division of Continuing Education at 618/536-7751 or visit the Web site at www.dce.siu.edu.