CHRIS CODUTO/Arizona Daily Wildcat Molecular and cellular biology sophomores Claire Stillwell and Kyle Tiemeier dance Monday night during a meeting of the Ballroom Dancing Club at Ina E. Gittings building gymnasium. Club members meet twice a week and practice dances such as the Foxtrot, Tango, Waltz, Salsa and Meringue.

Two left feet aren't a problem in the Ballroom Dancing Club, where participants have varied experience

If you've ever found yourself watching movies like "Dirty Dancing" or "Dance with Me" the UA Ballroom Dancing Club might look a little familiar.

But you don't have to be Patrick Swayze or Vanessa Williams to participate in this club.

Teaching even those with two left feet how to step, the club features traditional and modern dances including the Rumba, Salsa, Meringue and Tango. American favorites like Swing, Waltz and the Foxtrot are also featured.

Founded four years ago by Stanley Nguyen, now an alumnus, the club meets on Monday and Wednesday nights.

Monday meetings feature professional instruction from Bryan Senn, who teaches locally and competes in ballroom dancing. The Wednesday meetings are "practice parties" in which dancers can practice what they learned on Monday or at any other time during the semester.

Senn approaches each class with a laid-back attitude, and he provides instructions slowly, making the classic ballroom dances feel simple.

As club members attempted to learn a new dance move last week, Senn had the men and women stand in two lines facing each other. He then gave step-by-step instructions and led both groups. First the men practiced, then the women. Both groups moved slowly at first to the instructor's count, then paired off and practiced together, following the same procedure and then moving on their own.

Without the pressure of finding, or bringing, a partner, students paired up randomly as Senn made jokes and gave analogies to explain the steps.

For those students who need individual attention, club officers stay on hand to teach and demonstrate steps when necessary.

Potential members need not worry about dance experience. Dance shoes are also unnecessary; sneakers are welcome, but flip-flops are not advised.

The 60 members in the club ÷ the highest number in the club's history ÷ have a variety of reasons for joining, including wedding preparation and the social opportunities membership grants them.

"I joined because it is a great place to meet people and relieve stress," said Richard Colonna, an optical and material engineering sophomore.

The Ballroom Dancing Club has sponsored social events, including Halloween and Valentine's Day parties. Such activities allow member s to get to know each other better.

There are also other opportunities available to those interested in pursuing ballroom dance. The club holds dances in conjunction with the Tucson chapter of the United States Amateur Ballroom Dancing Association. The club's advisor, Greta Oris, is a member and helps give the club a greater connection to the world of ballroom dancing.

"(USABDA is) one of the groups pushing for Ballroom Dancing in the Olympics," Oris said. Since the sport first debuted as a demonstration at the Sydney Summer Games in 2000, there has been serious talk of having it entered as an event, she said. USABDA also sponsors competitions around the country for dancers of all levels. The Tucson chapter holds performances where students receive discounts. There are also National Collegiate Championships held in the spring and fall.

Last spring, several Ballroom Dancing Club members took a road trip to compete in an event held at the University of Nevada at Las Vegas, and one couple took first place in the Waltz.

Ballroom dancing is very popular across the United States. USABDA is affiliated with over 200 college ballroom dancing clubs nationally, with 30 located in California, Nevada, Arizona and Hawaii.

The Ballroom Dancing Club is student run and organized, and it is classified as a UA sports club through the Student Recreation Center.

Lessons are divided into four week long sessions, where students learn three dances and then spend the last week reviewing so they won't forget what they have learned. One four-week session costs $20.

The first class is free so that participants can find out if they are really interested. After that classes are $5 per session or $40 for the whole semester. Classes are also available for $50 per semester to faculty or staff and for $60 per semester for non-UA adults.