A Latin Dance Explosion

They might not be Ricky Martins and Celia Cruzes or Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaires, but they can dance. Students at IU have developed a great interest in all forms of social dance.\nLocal dance clubs such as Axis, Bullwinkles and Second Story give students a place to dance to current music. The IU Swing Club frequently holds swing dances, and the Ballroom Dancing Club provides opportunities to practice and events to have fun. But it seems only recently has there been a burst of excitement about Latin dance. \nThe newest addition to the dance community in Bloomington is the Latin Dance Club. Founded by Emily Jablon this fall, the Latin Dance Club focuses on salsa, merengue, bachata, raggaeton and hip hop. Practices are held from 8 to 10 p.m. every other Thursday evening in the Indiana Memorial Union. \nThe lack of free-styling makes many students more comfortable dancing because Latin dance involves more solidified steps than some other forms of dance, Jablon said.\n"In Latin dance, you dance with a partner, so you can experience the passion that can arise between two people when they are moving to music they love," Jablon said. \nThe idea to start a Latin dance club at IU first came to Jablon last January. At the time, IU had a Ballroom Dancing Club and a Swing Dancing Club but nothing focusing specifically on Latin dance. Jablon knew there were only a few places to go in the whole stateof Indiana to practice Latin dance.\n"If I want to dance, then I'm just gonna have to create a space myself," Jablon said. "I feel that it is important for people to learn about other cultures and experience them first-hand so that they will have increased understanding and appreciation of Latin culture."\nJablon believes the club has been successful since its creation. Since the beginning of the semester there have been about 160 people on the e-mail list and about 30 people attending each practice, Jablon said. Having a small number of people at the practice allows the more experienced members of the club to give individualized attention to the newer members. \nJablon suggests Second Story in Bloomington, as well as the Jazz Kitchen, Madame Walker Theater, and the Blue Cactus in Indianapolis as Latin dance venues. However, each of these clubs require that you are 21 years or older. Jablon recommends checking out that Latin Dance Club Web site for more details on these venues. For the under-aged, IU clubs are the only possibility for Latin dance. \nFor many people, Latin dance increases their awareness of Hispanic culture. As president of the club, Jablon wants to "share (her) appreciation with others, as (she) thinks it adds to a person's growth and character."\nAlthough they are making an effort to bring in people from the Hispanic community in Bloomington in addition to students, the recruitment has been slow. We are in the process of trying new marketing, such as distributing flyers in Spanish, as part of our work to increase the international membership of the club, Jablon said. \n"It is important to bring in Hispanic people because it not only adds to the experience but it makes the dancing more authentic," said Jablon. \nThe IU Ballroom Dancing Club incorporates some Latin Dance into their program. Although there is no official Latino section within the organization, club president Carrie Capone says it is something they are working toward. \nCapone has been a member of the Ballroom Dancing Club for three years. She never took any formal Latin dance classes, learning new moves from friends and by dancing with different people. \n"I fell in love with the dancing and music. It is unlike anything produced by Americans," Capone said. \nShe recommends Second Story in Bloomington or the Jazz Kitchen in Indianapolis as venues for Latin dancing. Capone spent a summer in Guanajuato, Mexico, where she was exposed to authentic Latin dancing. She now has even more to offer to the Ballroom Dancing Club. \n"It was incredible. The local salsa club became my second home. I danced there nearly every night of the week," Capone said. "Latin dance is fun, exciting and different. "Dancing gives people an opportunity to connect on a new level." \nThe Ballroom Dancing Club offers dance practice on Wednesdays from 9 to 11 p.m. in The School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation room 169. \nThe Division of Recreational Sports also offers Latin dance as an exercise class. The Latin Explosion or Latin Moves class has been offered since the fall of 1999. \n"While headcounts tend not to be as high as kickboxing or step, (Latin Dance classes) have done well," said Teri Bladen, assistant director of fitness programs. \nThe class size averages between 20 and 25 students and is offered this semester at 9:15 p.m. Wednesday evenings in the Student Recreational Sports Center in the Multi Sport Gym 1. \n"We like to recruit leaders who can bring a true Latin/Hispanic feel to the session," Bladen said. \nThe John Waldron Arts Center offers classes in many fields, including dance. Currently the dance classes offered are Belly Dancing and Swing Dancing. The Waldron Arts Center has at times offered Latin Dance classes to both teens and adults, said Education Director Roger Meredith. \nThere are many opportunities to break out the dancing shoes and salsa, rumba or cha-cha your way in to new friendships and a great time in Bloomington. Whether your passion is hip hop, tap dancing or country line dancing, you will have a great experience when you try Latin dance. \n"That is the best thing about dancing: Once you learn, it stays with you for life," Jablon said.\n-- Contact Staff writer Claire Bletz at cbletz@indiana.edu.