Don't I Need to Know How to Dance? And Don't I Need a Dance Partner? |
|
No to both questions!
We are a social club dedicated to showing people the joy of ballroom dancing. When you're at a dance, we simply want you to have a great time meeting new people and dancing.
Plenty of people come to dances just to learn and to have fun. For the most part, they come without partners. A lot of people are always willing to help you learn, even if you are a brand new beginner.
You never need to bring a partner!
You do not need to be experienced!
We dance simply to have fun!
We are a social club dedicated to showing people the joy of ballroom dancing. When you're at a dance, we simply want you to have a great time meeting new people and dancing.
Plenty of people come to dances just to learn and to have fun. For the most part, they come without partners. A lot of people are always willing to help you learn, even if you are a brand new beginner.
You never need to bring a partner!
You do not need to be experienced!
We dance simply to have fun!
Who Can Help Me Learn? |
|
Most of our new members come to the club having no experience in dance at all. If you've noticed someone who looks like a good dancer now, you can be pretty confident that not very long ago, they were an absolute beginner too.
At the start of most weekend social dances, an instructor will teach a beginner level lesson, and we occasionally offer weekday series lessons in a specific dance style. In general, our members are quite aware of their own humble beginnings and are very gracious about helping new dancers learn.
Just stop by the admissions table at any dance and ask the person working there to point out one of many helpful people willing to teach you.
At the start of most weekend social dances, an instructor will teach a beginner level lesson, and we occasionally offer weekday series lessons in a specific dance style. In general, our members are quite aware of their own humble beginnings and are very gracious about helping new dancers learn.
Just stop by the admissions table at any dance and ask the person working there to point out one of many helpful people willing to teach you.
Aiming to improve your skills in Ballroom or Latin dancing?
|
BAM teaches lessons at the beginning of every social dance and frequently teach lesson series. If you are looking to further improve your skills, or want help getting started, another great option is joining BBDT. The Badger Ballroom Dance Team is BAM's sister club and members of each club are encouraged to become members of the other. BBDT teaches lessons in Ballroom and Latin dance that are aimed at multiple skill levels throughout the school year and the summer. Never danced before? Years of experience? There is a class for you with BBDT. Check out BBDT's website or their Facebook page for more information.
|
|
Who Comes to These Dances? |
|
Anyone and everyone!
We are a UW-Madison student organization, so most club members are UW-Madison students.
However, you do not need to be a student to come to dances or to join the club. Everyone is welcome!
If you're not a UW student, faculty, staff member, or the guest of one, please e-mail us so we can list you as a guest of the council. If you do fall into one or more of these categories, you are welcome to invite up to 2 guests who do not fit those requirements to an event!
We are a UW-Madison student organization, so most club members are UW-Madison students.
However, you do not need to be a student to come to dances or to join the club. Everyone is welcome!
If you're not a UW student, faculty, staff member, or the guest of one, please e-mail us so we can list you as a guest of the council. If you do fall into one or more of these categories, you are welcome to invite up to 2 guests who do not fit those requirements to an event!
What's This First Dance Credit Thing? |
|
Good question! The First Dance Credit is a BAM program intended for non-student community dancers that allows you to try out the club for the first time, risk-free! You simply pay for whatever lessons or dance you would like to attend, and we will record the amount of money you spent at your first dance. If you choose to purchase a membership later on, that amount will be deducted from the price of your membership! There generally is no reason for a student to ask for a future credit since student membership is free.
Example: The first time you come to a BAM Dance, if you don't join the club, you pay $8 for the lesson and social dance. We record a $6 credit for you since that you spent a total of $8, minus the normal $2 admission for members at your first dance. The next week (or any time later on), you decide that since you had such a great time before, you would like to purchase a semester-long non-student membership. The price of this membership would usually be $30, but since you have your first dance credit for $6, the price of membership is now only $24. Ask a Council Member if you have any further questions!
Example: The first time you come to a BAM Dance, if you don't join the club, you pay $8 for the lesson and social dance. We record a $6 credit for you since that you spent a total of $8, minus the normal $2 admission for members at your first dance. The next week (or any time later on), you decide that since you had such a great time before, you would like to purchase a semester-long non-student membership. The price of this membership would usually be $30, but since you have your first dance credit for $6, the price of membership is now only $24. Ask a Council Member if you have any further questions!
Isn't Ballroom Dance Music Boring and Dull? |
|
|
You're probably thinking about the kind of dancing you find in old movies, with men in tuxedos and women in full gowns - dancing to a full orchestra. Granted, that is ballroom dance, but the scene has changed a lot since then. We often dance to modern pop music combined with a fun mix of big band swing, latin, oldies, and disco. After you've been dancing just a little while, you'll probably discover you've been listening to ballroom music all along in your own playlists.
What Should I Wear to a Dance? |
|
|
Most of our dances require only casual attire -- jeans and a t-shirt are just fine. Some wear a dress or slacks and a nice shirt. For one or two dances a semester we dress up if the dance is listed as a formal or semi-formal on the Dance Schedule. Even then, dressing in more formal attire is entirely optional. It's best to wear short sleeves so that you won't be too warm while dancing. Bring a change of shirt if you tend to sweat a lot.
Wear comfortable shoes. However, running and cross-training shoes tend to grip the floor a bit too much, making turns more difficult. Dress shoes often slide better and are usually best. Avoid flip-flops, crocs, boots, platform shoes or extremely narrow-toed shoes as these can make dancing difficult, if not painful. If this is your first time dancing, just wear what's comfortable. As you continue to dance, ask more experienced club members about shoes specifically designed for dancing. We occasionally invite a vendor to sell dance shoes at a dance.
Wear comfortable shoes. However, running and cross-training shoes tend to grip the floor a bit too much, making turns more difficult. Dress shoes often slide better and are usually best. Avoid flip-flops, crocs, boots, platform shoes or extremely narrow-toed shoes as these can make dancing difficult, if not painful. If this is your first time dancing, just wear what's comfortable. As you continue to dance, ask more experienced club members about shoes specifically designed for dancing. We occasionally invite a vendor to sell dance shoes at a dance.
I'm a Man/Woman/+; So, do I have to Lead/Follow? |
|
|
Dance with anyone!
All instructors are asked to teach their lessons in terms of 'lead' and 'follow' rather than 'man' and 'woman'. So you are welcome to take a lesson as lead or follow, regardless of gender; and, you are welcome to dance with whomever will dance with you.
All instructors are asked to teach their lessons in terms of 'lead' and 'follow' rather than 'man' and 'woman'. So you are welcome to take a lesson as lead or follow, regardless of gender; and, you are welcome to dance with whomever will dance with you.
How Can I Join BAM? |
|
You can join the club at any dance! or lesson! Just come to the admissions table.
BAM membership is free for students (UW-Madison and other colleges/universities). Non-student BAM memberships can be purchased for a single semester or for the entire year. (Annual memberships are available only in the fall).
You do not need to be a member to attend the dances. However, with Membership you receive discounted admission to all BAM dances, and discounted access to the weekly lesson series.
Members and non-members alike are welcome at all dances. Click here to learn more about becoming a member.
BAM membership is free for students (UW-Madison and other colleges/universities). Non-student BAM memberships can be purchased for a single semester or for the entire year. (Annual memberships are available only in the fall).
You do not need to be a member to attend the dances. However, with Membership you receive discounted admission to all BAM dances, and discounted access to the weekly lesson series.
Members and non-members alike are welcome at all dances. Click here to learn more about becoming a member.