University dancers are turning up the summer heat at a luau-themed Ballroom Beach Bash.

The Ballroom Performance Group and Ballroom Dance Club will host the free event as one of its weekly Friday Night Dance Parties from 7 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. at the New Dance Theater.

“This is the first Ballroom Beach Bash,” Casey Reeder, a senior from Guyton and president of the Ballroom Dance Club, said. “However, depending on how much everyone loves the theme we could turn it into a yearly summer thing. People will learn new moves, new styling tips, and better yet, meet new people who share something in common – the desire to dance no matter what age or skill level.”

A veteran ballroom dancer will offer an East Coast Swing lesson at 7 p.m. Open dancing begins at 8 p.m. Participants do not need experience or a partner. Registration is not necessary.

People can choose from a variety of ballroom dances – Cha Cha, East Coast Swing, Foxtrot, Hustle, Lindy Hop, Quickstep, Rumba, Salsa, Samba, Tango, Waltz and West Coast Swing.

Reeder said everyone should wear bright, colorful and casual clothes to come ready for a night of dancing.

“We provide lessons to help ease any dancing jitters, and everyone’s more than willing to help out,” she said. “The teachers are really nice and probably love teaching dance more than they actually love dancing.”

The Ballroom Dance Club also offers $2 lessons Sundays at 7 p.m. in Memorial Hall.