Hips shaking, shoulders rolling and bodies moving sharply together in sync can only mean one thing: salsa dancing has shimmied its way into California State University, Stanislaus.
For the past few years the University Student Union (USU) and Associated Students Inc. (ASI) have hosted a Warrior Date Night series.
Last semester the sequence boasted four movie nights, but this year was an incredibly new and original theme. This year, participants of Warrior Date Night learned how to salsa dance.
Every Thursday in March, salsa dancing lessons were taught at the CSU Stanislaus Event Center. Salsa music was blasted and hips were shakin’ during the fun-filled activity!
USU Daily Events Coordinator, Samantha Bologna (senior, English), is in charge of the Warrior Date Night occasions. The first two Thursdays had a turnout of around 20 participants, with the third having about 16.
“It’s a way of getting people to socialize and connect with friends,” Bologna said. “You don’t need a partner to come.”
Xavier Gomez and Mapy Pernett (senior, Biology) are the two dancing instructors.
Basic salsa dancing steps and moves are taught to participants.
“The steps are pretty easy and fun,” said first-time salsa dancer Jacklyn Vargas.
Each student rotated partners throughout the class, keeping it more interesting for each dancer.
During each class, movie tickets are raffled off to a few lucky participants. Today marks the last Thursday of this semester’s Warrior Date Night activities. Join the other dancers tonight at 6 p.m. in the Event Center to learn the moves!
A few exciting upcoming events held by the USU and ASI include a movie night on April 10 to watch Gangster Squad and the Undie Run on April 24.
To participate in the Undie Run, come wearing layers to strip off and have donated to charity at stations along the course. To view more activities, visit the ASI and USU website at csustan.edu/asi-usu.