FAQ
Q: Are the NYU Latin & Ballroom Dance Team and the NYU Latin & Ballroom Dance Club the same organization?
A: No. The NYU Latin & Ballroom Dance Team is an OSA organization, completely separate from the NYU Latin & Ballroom Dance recreational club sport in the Coles Recreational department.
Q: What’s the difference?
A (part 1): The L&B Club (that’s us) teaches members basic steps to a variety of social dance styles, including Hustle, Salsa, Swing, Waltz, Tango, and more. The club is more oriented toward social dancing and facilitates members getting to know each other through a rotating-partner lesson style, where everyone gets a chance to practice the steps with several differnet people throughout the lesson. No experience necessary at all! In addition, the L&B Club has its own annual intramural dance social/competition where members get to use what they’ve learned and show off in a simulated competition atmosphere full of fun!
A (part 2): The Dance Team is geared toward developing its members’ abilities to dance in the competitive scene. The Dance Team sponsors its members to compete at about ten intercollegiate competitions throughout the year and across the nation. No experience necessary here, either, and especially starting out, members rotate partners but eventually members decide to settle on a partnership that works on the competitive floor.
Q: Can I join at any time?
A: No. Membership registration and dues for the Fall 2007 semester deadline is at the second meeting, September 22. No exceptions will be made, as this is a requirement by the Department of Recreation. If you miss this deadline, then you are entitled to attend one meeting only as a guest of a registered member. You may also attend all the open-to-public social events, such as Top Hat and the special dance workshops.
Q: Who can be a member?
A: Only NYU students, faculty, alumni members, and community members may be members of the club. Those that do not regularly have access to Coles sports center may not become members.
Q: What does registration entail?
A: You must fill out a Club Sport Student Athlete Information Card issued by Coles and submit that with the $15 per person membership dues for the semester. These information cards will be available during the first and second meeting, and registration and dues will be collected only during these meetings. After September 22, registration is closed!
Q: I have a friend who’s visiting for the weekend. Can (s)he come?
A: Yes, members are entitled to bring guests who may attend one meeting. Guests are not allowed to attend more than one meeting a semester without having registered at the beginning of the semester. Guests must also be able to enter the Coles Sports Center through a athletic facilities membership or through a $10 entrance fee per person per entry mandated by the athletic facilities.
Q: I’m not from NYU. Can I still join the club?
A: Yes, provided that you submit your registration and dues during the first or second meeting of the semester. Also, you must somehow gain access to the athletic facilities, whether it is through purchasing a membership to Coles or if it is being signed in by someone you know from NYU for the $10 guest entrance fee. You are responsible for gaining access to the facilities.
Q: Are meetings every Saturday? Where and when are the meetings?
A: No, they are not every Saturday. Meetings are held during <a href=”" mce_href=”">scheduled Saturdays</a>, 4-6PM, in the George Barrie Dance Studio on the Lobby level of Coles Sports Center.
Q: What happens when I miss a meeting?
A: You miss a lot of fun, that’s for sure! While there is no penalty for missing meetings, you may fall behind others if there were some moves or combinations being built upon from the prior week. Be sure to try to come to as many meetings as possible - you paid for them, after all!
Q: I really like [insert favorite dance]. Can you just focus on that one dance?
A: While there are many popular dances out there, your favorite isn’t necessarily everyone’s favorite. Dances typically get two weeks’ worth of attention before we move on to another fun social dance, so if you are interested in getting intensive training on a singular style of dance, you can check out the recreational courses being offered through Coles or you can check out the dance studios peppered across the city for other dancing opportunities that may be more focused to your tastes.
Q: What shoes do I wear?
A: All that we ask is that you wear shoes that don’t scuff up the floor, essentially, shoes that have no rubber bottoms. Dance shoes, while ideal, are expensive, so if you do not have an alternative to rubber soled shoes, we suggest wearing socks. You can also wear jazz shoes, dance barefoot, or any other kind of non-rubber-soled shoe you feel comfortable in.
Q: Is there a list serve? How can I join?
A: Sign up for the ballroom-club list serve by going to forums.nyu.edu and typing in ballroom-club.
Q: How can I be removed from the email list?
A: There’s information on how to be removed at the bottom of every email.