By: Connor DeLancey

Students and members of the community learned some new footwork at Maryland Latin Dance Club’s most recent bisemesterly dance social, held on Nov. 24 in the Atrium of Adele H. Stamp Student Union. 

The “Around The World Dance Social” encouraged attendees, regardless of their skill levels in dance to participate in an evening of laughter and learning.

To kick off the event, participants learned the basics of “bachata.” Originating in the Dominican Republic, this style of dance, which can be tailored to any music beat, traditionally sees dancers moving within a square, taking three steps and then following with a tap step.

After the mini-lesson concluded, attendees were encouraged to test their skills and engage in an hour of open-floor social dancing. DJ Ethan Yuan played a variety of Latin music as participants paired up and practiced what they had just learned.

MLDC Vice President Liz Castillo, a junior government and politics major, characterized bachata as a dance of improvisation.

“When you go to a club with bachata or salsa, you can dance with anybody,” Castillo said. “Because as long as you know the basics of the moves, you can modify.”

Twice per semester, MLDC hosts dance socials to encourage the students who attend the club’s classes to apply what they’ve learned and socialize within the community. MLDC President Alex Levy, a senior accounting and finance double major, said the socials should be seen as an opportunity to learn how to express yourself in new ways. 

“Everyone starts somewhere — and the thing is, as you grow as a person, you build your friendships, and you build your dance,” Levy said.

For MLDC Secretary Kayla Dillon, a junior criminal justice major, dancing creates an “unspoken connection” between her and her dance partner.

“It’s almost like you’re able to read their mind when you’re dancing,” Dillon said. “You don’t have to say anything … you become almost like one person on the dance floor.”

MLDC’s classes are taught by professional dancers twice per week — on Mondays and Wednesdays — in the Prince Georges County Room of Stamp. For members of the general public, a $5 fee is accepted as a donation to help fund future classes and events. Classes are free for UMD students to attend.