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• Pick up some new dance moves this summer at one of these CU locations

Whatever your skill level, don’t allow your supposed two left feet to make you feel that you can never learn how to dance. As summer continues to heat up, so too, can your dancing skills. Impress your friends, find that special someone on the dance floor or at the very least, don’t be afraid to show your skills when your favorite song comes on. Here are a few places, both on and off campus, to turn to for help if you’ve got happy feet but don’t know how to work ‘em just right.

Dancing Illni

This RSO offers ballroom, Latin and nightclub dancing, with classes starting July 1 and 2. Located on the second floor of the Illini Union, classes are open to members of the community of all dance levels. Full membership does require dues each semester, but some events allow members to bring friends. Ballroom dancing is offered every Friday night from 8 to 11 p.m. for $7 at the Regent Ballroom (1406 Regency Drive W, Savoy). Classes, social events, seminars and practice sessions are offered throughout the week as well.

The Swing Society

Another RSO offering free beginner lessons, private lessons and classes this summer and fall in swing dancing and Lindy Hop, an African American offshoot of the swing family based on the popular Charleston dance. Also offered periodically by the Swing Society are lessons of Balboa, a fast–paced swing dance, and the Charleston. This summer, six-week sessions of lessons are offered for $20-$25. Private, one-hour lessons start at $15 per instructor for two people.

iSalsa2

With classes held at the McKinley Foundation on campus and a number of special workshops taking place around campus, iSalsa2 provides a number of opportunities for beginners and intermediate dancers in merengue, bachata and salsa as well as others. The first class is free, and after that costs increase depending on the class or lesson you take, starting at $30. As an added bonus, you can put those newly acquired moves to use Wednesday nights at Cowboy Monkey in Champaign during their free salsa nights. Classes are held Mondays and Wednesdays at 6 or 7 p.m. at the Oasis Room in the Illini Union.

Channing-Murray Foundation — Looking for a dance style from even farther south of the border? The Channing-Murray Foundation is offering Argentinian Tango lessons each week this summer. Classes for beginners start at 7 p.m. with an intermediate and advanced class at 8:15, both on Thursday nights. The class costs $35 a week for six weeks, or $25 for students of

the University.

West African Dance Classes with Djibril Camara

Straight from the217’s http://the217.com/calendar come dance and workout classes offered Sundays from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Channing-Murray Foundation. Come experience some international dance from a choreographer and experienced dancer of 17 years. The instructor hails from Guinea in West Africa, bringing an authentic lesson straight to his participants. Guests and drop-ins are welcome. Classes are $10 for students and $12 for non-students.