"One, two, three, four, five, six. Step back, side, together. Let the leader's body decide the next step," said Penn alum - and dance instructor - Christy Kam.
This summer, get ready to take off your flip-flops, strap on some dancing shoes and salsa, waltz and swing the balmy nights away as the Penn Latin and Ballroom Dance club continues its social lessons throughout the summer.
The club offers two hours of dance classes, taught by Kam, on Tuesday and Thursday evenings in two four-week-long sessions.
Tremendously fun and surprisingly challenging, the class has a social atmosphere that inspires laughter.
"The purpose [of the social lessons] are for those who want to learn for fun," said PLBD president and College senior Leonore Miller.
The social lessons are a fun alternative to the more intense style of competitions.
Waltzing around the Class of '49 Auditorium in Houston Hall, about 30 participants attend the dance lessons. For this session, featured dances are waltz and swing on Tuesdays and salsa and foxtrot on Thursdays.
Open to all, the class attracts faculty and students alike as well as residents of Philadelphia and nearby Delaware County.
"He made me come," laughed Philadelphia resident Mary Susan Villa, pointing to her dance partner, Kham Kapadky. The two have attended almost all the sessions this summer.
"But I also came for the connection with people," Villa said. She added that she enjoys the free spirit she feels through dancing.
Others, like Kapadky, come "for the challenge." Paul Samulenas joined the PLBD team about four years ago. His expertise shows as he encourages newcomers and gives first-time dance partners confidence in their footwork.
With the constant rotation of partners, coming alone is not a problem. While many participants are couples, the PLBD makes sure to have representatives available to stand in for a partner.
The next session begins on June 17 and will tentatively feature tango and cha-cha on Tuesdays and bolero and mambo on Thursdays. According to Miller, the dances may change depending on the demand.
Students pay 20 dollars for six hours of the social lessons, and non-students pay 20 dollars for four hours. A punch card can be split between couples.
The club sends out e-mails to their listserv notifying members of time changes and locations. For more information and to join the club's listserv see www.dolphin.upenn.edu/~ballroom.
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