Teter club promotes diversity with international dancing lessons

If waiting until the weekend to "shake ya tail feather" or release some overwhelming stress is too much, the Teter Nellie Showers Tower is the place to get the blood flowing and hips shaking while experiencing a taste of another culture.\nTeter resident and freshman, Ricardo Hernandez, along with his codirector, freshman Jorge Wellmann, have developed an international dancing program to promote diversity for all students on campus. \n"People say that IU has a diverse community, but you can hardly see it. Not a lot of people try to get out there and do something about it," Hernandez said. "Jorge and I sat down and thought of an idea to promote diversity through a series of dance lessons from different cultures." \nThe lessons are publicized mainly to Teter residents, but are open to anyone on campus. \nSophomore Marshall Kulp attended Latino lessons last week after running into other dancers. \n"I walked past (the NST) and asked what was going on," he said. "They told me I should join in -- that it would be fun. I said 'Why not?' It's better than sitting on my ass in my dorm thinking, 'What am I going to do now?'" \nKulp was one of nine participants who chose to step out of their comfort zone and try something new.\nLessons began Oct. 18, and Hernandez said there was a positive turnout. \n"More and more people have begun to talk about the lessons," Hernandez said. "The 18th drew a crowd of about 20 to 25 people. It's hard to predict the turnout because people have busy schedules."\nThroughout the hour-long lesson, the dance floor became filled with laughter and interaction among participants as new moves were introduced. High-fives were exchanged as the combination of hip-rocking, fast-paced side steps and quick turns were perfected. Participants even began adding their own twists to the Latin moves. \nThe participants were taught merengue, salsa and bachata by junior Latino dance instructor Patricia Mota.\nEach dance was broken down into multiple combination pieces in an effort to keep everyone together. The tempo increased slowly as participants began to catch on. Mota also provided individual attention when extra help was needed.\nMota has been dancing and choreographing for as long as she can remember and chose to share her talent with others because she feels it is important to make others more culturally aware. \n"A lot of people ask, 'Oh, what's salsa?,' and I show them," Mota said. "They don't know the difference between salsa and merengue because there are different types of varieties."\nAn added bonus of the program is the fact that no prior dance experience is needed. \n"This was my first time ever trying this type of dancing, and I enjoyed it," Kulp said. "The hardest part was staying in step. I'm totally bad with dance moves. I'm a white guy, I don't have any type of rhythm."\nThe fun didn't stop after the music ended. Emphasizing the night's theme, chips and salsa were available afterward for participants to sit around and get to know each other. \nHernandez has been working with businesses to receive donated food from the community.\n"I go to businesses personally, call them, print out flyers and make posters," Hernandez said. "It's a lot of work, but as long as it is a good night, it is all worth it." \nOther cultural opportunities will continue throughout the rest of the month. Indian dance lessons are scheduled for 8 to 9 p.m., tonight, Tuesday and next Thursday in the Teter NST. \nHernandez hopes as interest increases and residents continue to attend, a multicultural dance can be planned for participants to display the combinations and moves they've learned. New programs for the winter and spring are still being worked out. \nAdditional opportunities are available with the Latin Dance Club every other Thursday at the Indiana Memorial Union for those who missed out on the Teter lessons, or want to continue what they learned. Kulp wants to do just that.\n"After learning the dance routines tonight, I'm interested in going to the dance club and feeling my feet out," Kulp said. \n-- Contact staff writer Megan George at mrgeorge@indiana.edu.