There’s a certain kind of “dancing” that has come to be expected of the downtown scene. But for students who’d like to escape the bump and grind and get back to the basics, the University is home to an entire community of ballroom organizations.

The Ballroom Dance Club, Swing Dance Club, and Ballroom Performance Group host a variety of events throughout the year to encourage anyone interested to learn and practice ballroom dance.

“There’s always a free lesson before events, so newcomers always feel comfortable and welcome to come,” said Casey Reeder, a senior from Guyton and president of Ballroom Dance Club.

Ballroom Dance Club is the largest of the three groups and offers lessons, workshops and special event dances.

The group holds lessons every Sunday night for a different style of dance that include a beginner group lesson, an intermediate lesson and an open dance floor for students to practice what they have learned.

The Swing Dance Club also holds dances and lessons for those who prefer to focus on swing dance. Cydney Smith, a senior from Marietta and the president of Swing Dance Club, describes the club as “a social opportunity and a way to get experience.”

“Dance is kind of a lost art, so we’re trying to keep it alive,” Smith said. “It makes us happy when we go downtown and see people doing things we’ve taught them. It’s really fulfilling.”

Swing Dance Club lessons are open to everyone, no matter their experience.

“We always start with a review and we cater to beginners, so any time in the year people want to come they’re welcome to,” Smith said. “We usually get a very even mix of guys and girls, so we rotate and everyone gets experience with a variety of partners.”

Ballroom Performance Group is the only organization where students must audition to be a part of the group, which performs at University events and at other events in Georgia and worldwide.

Ballroom Performance Group hosts Friday night dances on the first and third Friday of every month, and these are attended by members of all three groups as well as anyone else who is interested.

There is a free lesson at 7 p.m. followed by the dance from 8 to 10:30 p.m., which costs $3 for University students and $5 for non-students. Friday dances this year have included salsa, lindy, tango and waltz, and upcoming dances include West Coast swing, foxtrot, cha-cha, waltz, and East Coast swing.

Ben Coffee, a freshman from Alpharetta, joined although he had no previous experience.

“I first got interested after my first real dance lesson at UGA when a bunch of my friends invited me to a swing lesson,” he said. He joined both Ballroom Dance Club and Swing Dance Club and has learned the rumba, tango, waltz, foxtrot and several styles of swing including East Coast, lindy, and the Charleston.

“Anyone can learn to dance, and most people will love it right away,” Coffee said. “It’s also a great way to relieve stress.”