Dancing: A social affair

The one thing that I have enjoyed the most about learning how to dance, is the social aspect of it. Most often than not, people start dancing, especially styles such as ballroom and latin, because they witnessed a television show, someone talked them into it or they are just trying out something different. For me, the love for dance started with my interest for dance shows such as So You Think You Can Dance and Strictly Come Dancing. I remember being 16 and thinking that, as soon as I get to University, I will sign up for classes and learn. I did just that with UCT Ballroom and Latin Society and I've loved it ever since.

I'll mention a few reasons why dancing enhances one's social life and how it generally improve one's quality of life.

1) Dancing helps you meet different people and make new friends. When you meet someone at a ballroom & latin class, you already have something in common. You want to learn how to dance. You'll therefore have something to talk about as you dance. Dancing with a partner means that you can have a more developed conversation later on which can involve more people. From that point on, anything is possible. People who dance together have been known to hang out with each other outside of their class, going out for movies, lunch or even more dancing.

Social Dancing

2) Dancing increases your self esteem and confidence. The dance community is an open and friendly community. From the moment you walk in the door, you feel welcomed, whether it is at a salsa club or at your dance class. You find yourself in a place that is fun, open and energizing. Learning how to move well on the dance floor and seeing yourself constantly improving is major boost in confidence. Being able to walk up to a guy and asking them to dance shows the amount of confidence that can be gained by us ladies while guys learn to be able to ask any girl to dance.

3) Dance offers an activity for people who may not consider themselves as sporty. The benefit of dance is not only that of increased exercise, but the participation in an art-form, which is rooted in technique, which gives an opportunity for a creative outlet.

4) Dance can offer insight into other cultures, either through the dance style itself or by meeting new people. Paso or Salsa anyone?

Paso Doble

5)You may meet your special person. I've seen so many people who have met through dance and end up dating. Imagine finding someone who loves dancing as much as you do. No awkward first dates. And the person is likely to have great posture too (maybe? no?) Imagine dancing the Argentine tango with your other half though. Pretty hot!

Argentine Tango

If you're a bit skeptical, check out your nearest salsa club, go to a swing party or any dance social. You will see what I'm talking about. Dancing is fun. Embrace it. And dance some more. Life is too short not too :) And obviously, there will be people who are just not interested but they're missing out in my opinion.

The start of a new era: UCT's Vaudeville Circus Show

About two weeks ago, the UCT Ballroom and Latin Dance Society held a showcase for the first time since the society was started. The society has been around for the past 24 years and this was a great achievement for the members and especially the committee.

The show was extremely successful with over 300 people in attendance. The tickets actually sold out and the society had to accommodate more people than we were expecting. The turn out was truly amazing and all of us couldn't have been happier with the result. It feels really good when you see that people are interested in what you do and want to see what you've been working on. Having friends and family supporting you was also a great plus for the dancers. Before the show, it was hard to get your friends and family to see your performances and especially with our annual dance competition mostly being held outside of Cape Town. Unfortunately for me though, I'm not from Cape Town and so my family couldn't watch the show anyway. I would have really loved it if my mom came to watch and support me. At least my boyfriend and friends were there :)

Jeffy & Zweli: 2 of my friends that came to support me

The show had about 20 dance routines with guest performances by Connect and Flow, Nick Andrews, Lady Magnolia's Bevy of beauties and Boogie Back Dance Co. depicted in the picture below.  

Boogie Back Dance Co. with some UCT students (Photo by Anton Moisey)

The dance pieces were amazing! I tried to catch some of the routines in between the ones that I was in. I couldn't actually decide which routines were my favourite. All of them were beautiful. There was an amazing Paso Doble, a really fun Sokkie that everyone fell in love with (danced to Eden's Super hero). I doubt anyone can hear that song and not want to sokkie anymore. Good memories. There was also a tango with two females and one male danced to Lady Gaga's bad romance. I don't think I'll ever listen to that song without remembering that tango routine. I never even thought that the song could be used as a tango song. But then again, I haven't really learned tango so I wouldn't exactly know.

The amazing Paso Doble routine by Bryce and Leanne (Photo by Anton Moisey)

It was such an amazing night. I have to admit I didn't do a lot of my school work that weekend because we had long rehearsals and I was so excited that I couldn't contain myself. It was one of the most exciting events this year. I cannot wait to see what next year's show is going to be like.

Below are some of my favourite pictures taken by Anton Moisey at the show. Beautiful photography indeed.

To see more pictures of the event, search for AM Photography on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/pages/AM-Photography/403384769722866)

N.B better use the link because there are quite a few AM photography pages on Facebook