Dancing at college usually occurs at the bars, but Eastern students have the opportunity to join the Ballroom Dance Society and dance like the stars.

The 8-year-old society meets at 7:30 p.m. every Tuesday in the Dance Studio of the Student Recreation Center and is open to both students and the community members.

Lisa Perfors, a junior music major and Ballroom Dance Society president, grew up fascinated with the complex dance moves she saw in old movies.

“Ballroom dancing is always something I’ve been interested in,” Perfors said. “Mainly swing dancing because you see movies with people doing a bunch of crazy dance moves, and I’ve always wanted to do those.”

Everyone is welcome to participate as long as there are no flip flops, she said.

Movies also served as the source of motivation for Cathy Sowa, the society’s vice president for community relations, and her husband to join the Ballroom Dance Society.

“We originally went so we could waltz at our wedding,” Sowa said. “We had a Disney-themed reception, and my favorite dance is the Viennese Waltz.”

Wei Wang, a technology graduate student and the secretary of the society, is also a big fan of ballroom dancing.

“Personally, I like to dance,” Wang said. “It’s very interesting and good exercise.”

The society started in when students enrolled in Eastern’s ballroom dancing class eight years ago. There was one caveat, though: they did not have anywhere to practice.

Eventually, these students found a place to work on their dance moves and decided to turn their group into a society.

Students enrolled in the ballroom dancing class received extra credit for attending these meetings, and still do to this day.

Although they meet once a week, the society keeps members busy throughout the school year.

“We’ve done private parties, history fairs, workshops and other registered student organization events,” Perfors said.

The society also encourages social interaction by having students who attend events to dance with everyone who participates.

“It’s good for social interaction because you dance with lots of people,” Wang said.

The society, which has 10 active members and up to 30 participants a week, does about 13 different dances each semester and always makes a trip to the Reagent Ballroom in Savoy.

Perfors, who joined the society in the Spring 2011, teaches the dances to the other members. She is not alone, though, as other members help her out depending on the dance.

The Ballroom Dance Society also tries to enhance the experience of its members. The society provides students a place to enjoy and practice ballroom dance, and it also provides students with a lesson in social etiquette.

Erik Jensen can be reached at 581-2812 or [email protected].