“Look Who’s Dancing supports all forms of social dancing and specifically ballroom, swing and Latin,” Janet Clements, one of the founding members and organizers of the event, says. “It illustrates the kinds of moves couples can make on a typical dance floor.”

The event serves as a fundraiser to benefit the New Mexico State University (NMSU) DanceSport Company and was co-hosted by the Big Band Dance Club, the DanceSport Society and the NMSU Dance Program. DanceSport students are matched with community celebrities, then they practice, practice, practice until the main event.

By bringing notable community members out onto the dance floor, including Margie Huerta, President of Doña Ana Community College; Mike McKay, host at 101 Gold/Bravo Mic Communications and Susana Martinez, District Attorney, LWD is able to bring the spotlight to both dancing and community collaboration.

“Putting on LWD is indeed a collaborative process,” Dave Clements, one of the founding members and organizers of the event, says. “In just two years, the event has become the largest fundraiser for the NMSU Dance Program, contributing $19,000 to DanceSport.”

Eric Fierro, director of DanceSport, said the collaboration between the students is extensive.

“The DanceSport Company students collaborate with each other to create their choreography, and when they start working with their contestants, the team collaborates to make the dance and choreography fit with the dancers’ abilities. Then there is the collaboration of costumes. All this collaboration from the dancers’ side is very exciting,” Eric says.

In 2010, the second year of the event, two new features were added. Immediately following the competition, Bob Burns and the Mike Caranda Orchestra played for dancing and listening pleasure and the NMSU Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management students offered desserts and beverages at a sidewalk café inside the Pan American Center.

The 2011 event will be even better.

“We want to introduce more young people to social dancing. If they dance at all, most teens are interested in hip hop styles, which are fun and healthful, but those styles will not last their lifetimes,” Janet says. “Social dancing develops skills and confidence, and teaches etiquette, all of which are valuable in various life situations.”

For more information on the 2011 event or to become a Look Who’s Dancing sponsor, visit dance.nmsu.edu/lookwhosdancing or bigbanddanceclub.org or contact Eric Fierro at 575-496-3397.

Big Band Dance Club
The Big Band Dance Club (BBDC) has been active in Las Cruces since 1981 and provides live music for ballroom, swing and Latin style dancing every Thursday night and selected Saturdays. Singles and couples over 21 are welcome.

When: 7:00 - 9:00 pm
Cost: Thursdays: $7 for BBDC members and $9 for guests; Saturdays: $7
Where: Las Cruces Country Club; 2700 North Main Street
(Country Club membership not required.)

575-462-2002, Anna Juarez, Membership Director
www.bigbanddanceclub.org

DanceSport Society
The DanceSport Society is the booster club for the NMSU DanceSport Company. It was founded in 2004 by Dr. Curtis Graham, a retired NMSU professor. The Society’s mission is to provide financial support to the DanceSport team, have fun dancing and to increase community involvement in social dance activities. The Society sponsors four social dances per year with the proceeds going to the NMSU DanceSport team to help with their competition expenses. Dances are open to the public. Singles and couples of all skill levels are welcome.

575-524-0500 or 575-640-2000, Dave Clements

NMSU Dance Program
The Dance Program is in the NMSU Department of Human Performance, Dance and Recreation. The goal is to inspire and train the next generation of movement educators and performers. The Dance Program offers a Bachelor of Arts degree as well as a minor in dance. The curriculum is designed to help students understand the art of performance, dance education and dance management.

575-646-2070, Dr. Debra Knapp, Program Director
575-496-3397, Eric Fierro, DanceSport Director