MIT’s 18th Annual Ballroom Dance Competition Is This Weekend

MIT 2013 Open Ballroom Dance Competition. photo provided

Ballroom dance isn’t just about the fancy costumes; it’s also good for the body and mind. The social aspect of working with a partner, the physical aspect of dancing in general, and the mental aspect of learning the steps makes dancing a brain health powerhouse.

MIT will celebrate this form of dance at the 18th Annual Open Ballroom Dance Competition April 26 and 27. This competition is the closest (and cheapest) you’ll get to seeing Dancing With The Stars live, and although there won’t be any C-list celebrities performing, expect to be blown away by the top level of talent in college ballroom.

About 1,000 dancers from across the country will come to Cambridge for this nationally recognized collegiate competition. Though some of the top competitors in the nation will be attending, there will be divisions for dancers of all levels, even newcomers. So if you want to compete and haven’t signed up yet, you can still register at the door. However, some of the events within the divisions have already been filled.

“The MIT Open is sort of the last really large collegiate competition of the season, so a lot of people see it as a culmination of all the work they’ve put in for the entire season,” Madalyn Berns, this year’s competition coordinator, says.

For participants, the event is also a reunion amongst friends, Berns says, adding that the ballroom community is “tight knit.” She also says that ballroom enthusiasts also come for the evening showcase, which is a performance from a famous ballroom duo. This year’s showcase performers will be World Professional Latin Champions Michael Malitowski and Joanna Leunis. In addition to the showcase, the duo will host a workshop on performance skills and private lessons. “It’s really inspiring to see the professionals perform because they’ve really dedicated their whole life to it,” Berns says.

For more information go to: ballroom.mit.edu/comp