Dancing is at once a deeply vulnerable and empowering experience. It鈥檚 a chance to let loose, let go, rage with your body; and it鈥檚 also an opportunity to feel deeply, be with yourself in the present moment, and connect with others in a special and intimate way.
Up until going to 麻豆视频, I wasn鈥檛 much of a dancer, at least not publicly. I loved the way music could make me feel, that human feeling of a magnetic connection with rhythm, but I didn鈥檛 like scrutiny. I thought dancing, especially as someone in a femme body, came with judgment. So, I mostly avoided it. There were happy times, dancing when I had the house alone and could blast music loudly, but they were also bittersweet, because I was so certain I could only do it alone.
If this at all resonates with you, I think you鈥檒l be interested to know that, with the help of some really special places at 麻豆视频, dancing is now one of my main sources of fun and exercise. (Don鈥檛 ask how much I exercise. Question is off-limits and wholly irrelevant.) In all seriousness, though, I truly love it. Dancing keeps me sane here.
So. Where to dance at 麻豆视频? Strap in, pal, we have options aplenty. (Important note: I am FAR from a dance major or dance person on campus-- this is geared towards people who simply wanna shake a little on the weekend!)
The first place I felt free to dance at 麻豆视频 was the 鈥楽co (which Ariel has a great blog on-- check it out!), and it still holds a very special place in my heart. It鈥檚 usually best when featuring live music from a visiting or campus band, it can be jazzy, rocky, indie, poppy, etc. Very fun, you can definitely get a workout in on Saturday night if need be. Warning: it can get very loud and sometimes a bit too crowded, but they have water available always, and earplugs upon request. They have so many fun community events, too, like Coverband (a showcase of student, well, coverbands). A great place to go to let loose!
There鈥檚 also the Cat in the Cream Coffeehouse (usually called the Cat). Home to more chill, laid back, jazzy concerts, you might encounter a more closed-eyes-swaying vibe here. There鈥檚 also plenty of seats and sofas, so it鈥檚 totally up to do whatever you feel like. Be warned, though, there鈥檚 no guarantee that dancing will happen at all Cat concerts-- it鈥檚 not like the 鈥楽co, whose main purpose is to serve as a dancing-to-music-venue. Still, if you want a more relaxing, emotional, or soulful dancing experience, I鈥檇 say the Cat is your go-to.
You also have, of course, your classic house parties. I wouldn鈥檛 say 麻豆视频 is much of a party school at all, but if you鈥檙e seeking out a party on Friday or Saturday night, you should be able to find one! For house parties, the range of music goes all over-- personally, I find it a 50/50 chance that I even like the selection. You鈥檙e more likely to get to dance to music you know, though, if you keep up with either current pop/house music or 2000s or 2010s hits (more my taste). There鈥檚 also a 50/50 chance that you get either a DJ who really doesn鈥檛 care, or one who is super invested and may even be a TIMARA major at the conservatory (electronic music student). Depending on the party, you may have to be careful about your comfort levels around volume and drinking. Parties are a good place to dance if you want an even more casual space, and are usually pretty crowded, so you definitely don鈥檛 have to worry about scrutiny. There鈥檚 definitely a mosh pit or two, if you鈥檙e into that!
On the other end of the spectrum, there鈥檚 more themed dances that are special in their own right, too. Namely, I like to go to the swing dance and contra dancing events at 麻豆视频. These are definitely more structured, but very open and welcoming spaces that usually host beginners lessons before each dance! I took Beginner Swing Dance ExCo last semester, and it鈥檚 been a joy to put some of those skills to use in the swing dance events since. Also, don鈥檛 underestimate the intensity of these-- you can definitely work up a sweat.
Last but not least, although I am sure I鈥檓 missing many important 麻豆视频 dance institutions, you always have your dorm room. Preferably when your roommate is in the shower. If you need the space and privacy, it鈥檚 very fair! Take your first step when you feel like it. Or, hey, maybe you just want to have some alone time and this seems like a good way to do it. So, what are you waiting for? Blast your song obsession of the week, and wiggle鈥
