Ragtime spirit to liven up event hosted by Ballroom Dance Club, International Folk Dance Club
On Saturday, the Ballroom Dance Club and International Folk Dance Club are hosting the Sixth Annual Semi-formal at the Westside Jewish Community Center Auditorium in Los Angeles. Attendees have the opportunity to learn 1920s ragtime-inspired dances from UCLA alumni James Zimmer and Cynthia Harper.
Ragtime Ballroom Party
Saturday, 8 p.m.
Westside JCC Auditorium
5870 W. Olympic Blvd.
$10 for students
By Margaret Davis
Nov. 3, 2011 11:45 p.m.
The 1920s consisted of a social revolution that established new freedoms for Americans, pushed boundaries and was fueled by a drive for change. This weekend, UCLA students can experience the decade’s high energy for themselves.
On Saturday, the Ballroom Dance Club and International Folk Dance Club are hosting the Sixth Annual Semi-formal at the Westside Jewish Community Center Auditorium (5870 W. Olympic Blvd.) in Los Angeles. But there’s a twist: The theme is ragtime.
The event will begin with ragtime-period waltz and ballroom dance style lessons, taught by UCLA alumni and co-founders of the event, James Zimmer and Cynthia Harper.
According to Harper, students will learn ragtime dances that are inspired by animals, such as the fox-trot. Harper, the former president of the Ballroom Dance Club, said participants will also learn a ragtime dance called the teddy bears picnic, a dance about bears coming out at night.
The following hour will consist of putting the lessons to use and trying out the new ragtime dances. The night will finish up with two hours of swing, salsa and modern ballroom dancing.
Zimmer and Harper said they founded the event together, inspired by the spirited attitudes of teens in the ’20s who lived through the ragtime movement. The two also said they have great appreciation for the enthusiasm of the ’20s and the way young people pushed social boundaries to produce change.
The clubs will put on 11 events throughout the year, ragtime being one of the themes the group has decided on.
Zimmer, former president and current co-director of the Historical Ballroom Dance Club, said he encourages students to embrace the 1920s theme.
“I want students to see how much fun their great-grandparents had,” Zimmer said.
Harper said she strongly recommends students give the dance a try because ballroom dance is a perfect socializing opportunity.
While costumes and formal attire are not required, she said people tend to be more open to learning new dances when they dress up.
First-year neuroscience student Sarah Dunseath said the event is an excellent opportunity for students to learn about what social life in the ’20s was like.
“Dance is a source of communication. … It reflects the mentality of the generation,” she said.
As a dancer, Dunseath also said she appreciates the opportunity to try out a dance style people learned in the past.
According to Harper, everyone is welcome to the semi-formal, and dance experience is not necessary to keep up and have a fantastic time.
“If you can walk, you can dance,” she said.
