On February 26th, students filled Washburn A/B for an evening of swing dancing, music, and fellowship. The event had bright music and a dynamic atmosphere, making it an enjoyable experience for everybody who attended.
The barn dance, hosted by the Campus Activities Board in collaboration with the Washburn Swing Dancing Club, attracted over a dozen students for a night of motion, music and interaction.
Cliff Ball, a junior finance major, found the event fascinating and highlighted how it encouraged students to step out of their comfort zones.
“I adore it when they do these gatherings. It’s pretty enjoyable. I believe we got a lot of people out of their comfort zones by having everyone participating in the same activity, including a line dance,” Ball said.
The barn dance was more than simply a Washburn event; it became an attire for intercollegiate connections. The WSDC collaborated with the Kansas State Swing Dance Club, allowing University of Kansas State students to participate in the events. While they were not required to check in, their presence contributed to a unique and mix of dancers, promoting an even stronger sense of unity across campuses.
Guilherme Puerta, junior chemistry major and CAB director, expressed the inspiration for arranging the barn dance.
“It was my first time arranging a Campus Activities Board event, and the idea came from a couple of my Swing Dance Club friends. I saw them write about swing dancing off campus and thought ‘Why not bring that experience here?’” Puerta said.
Participants were on their feet from the first beat, embracing each turn and step. The evening featured much-anticipated western-themed attire in which attendees displayed their cowboy boots, flannels and denim in a friendly competition.
From dancing on the floor to picking up new skills in supervised sessions, participants were completely involved in the event’s activities.
Jadyn Falley, president of the WSDC, was pleased with the event’s success because the number of participants was higher than expected.
“My goodness, I was surprised by how many people showed up! Due to the snow day, it was originally scheduled for last month. I was concerned about tonight since we continued to promote it before it was canceled. But this is a lot of fun—we had such a tremendous turnout! In this relaxed situation, I can be myself here and share my love of swing dancing with others in this comfortable environment,” Falley said.
Students were able to escape their everyday routines, experience something new and interact with other students.
The WSDC welcomes dancers of all skill levels and hosts regular meetings every other Thursday from 7:30 – 9 p.m. for those who have become subject to the swing dance craze.
Edited by Jeremy Ford and Stuti Khadka
