Why Join Us?

- Make new friends with a similar interest!

- Improve your dancing ability and fitness!

- Learn a new style of dance!

- Take part in competitions!

- Step out of your comfort zone!

- SUBU 5* society!

- Have fun!

What Do We Do?

The Ballroom and Latin Dance Society is an inclusive, inviting and fun society, where students can continue or find a new passion!

We teach and practice a variety of ballroom and latin styles including; Waltz, Quickstep, Tango, Viennese Waltz, Foxtrot, Cha Cha, Jive, Samba, Rumba, Paso and many more. Additionally, we also offer Rock n' Roll classes and this year we are introducing Offbeat, this is a non ballroom and latin formation group dance. As a society we welcome a variety of abilities from Beginners to Advance, and hold weekly routine classes, which are split for all abilities with our amazing and experienced coaches.

Our members each year have the opportunity to compete in the Inter Varsity competitions, which are held around the country. Last year the society attended Nottingham, Birmingham, Blackpool (Nationals) and last year we hosted our first EVER competition, which we hope to do again this year! Many of our dancers consitantly placed very high last year of which we had 27 semi-finalists 56 finalists and 14 wins, which is our best competition season yet as a society. One of our many compeititon highlights was when one of our amazing intermediate couples (Ellie Ward-Webb and Holly Tyack) became national finalists and placed 3rd in the ex-student same sex category!

Alongside practices we hold a variety of fun and amazing socials, including drinking, sober and no-spend socials, for example last year we had a variety of themed nights out, cinema nights, beach BBQs and did a scavenger hunt around Bournemouth town. Additionally, we have taken part in society swaps, where our dancers can swap out our dance shoes and try other societies. Last year we swapped our dance shoes for climbing shoes as we collaborated with the Climbing Society and they taught us how to climb and we taught them how to dance. At the end of the year to celebrate all of our wonderful and amazing acheivements and each member of the society we hold our own awards night, nominating each other for various funny awards and prizes.

Memberships

Competitive Membership: This consists of £85 for the year, and includes the following:

• 2+ classes per week taught for all abilities from Beginners to Advance.
• Access to multiple open practices per week.
• Opportunities to compete at many Varsity and Friendly competitions across the country including our very own Bournemouth friendly competition.
• Free competition entry to Nationals in Blackpool (this is worth over £30).
• Discounted travel prices to some of our competitions.
• Invitation to all our socials and our annual trip abroad.
• Access to our end of year celebration awards.

Non-Competitive Membership: This consists of £45 for the year, and includes the following:

• A weekly class, which is ideal for people wanting to learn a new skill or continue their love for dance by learning a new style.
• Discounted tickets to spectate Bournemouth competition.
• Invitation to all our socials and our annual trip abroad.
• Access to our end of year celebration awards.
• Option to upgrade to competitve membership.

Key Events

• Freshers Fair: 28th September 2024 - COME AND MEET US AND SEE US DANCE!

• Give it a Go: 30th September 2024 & 4th October 2024, 18:00 - 20:00, Bournemouth Gateway Building - Room 302.

• Weekly Classes: Class timetable below, all abilities welcome!

• Fun Weekly Socials: A variety of drinking, sober, and no-spend.

• Amazing Competitions: If you are in a more competitive mood, you are welcome to spend a fun day dancing together at some or all of the many competitions we attend throughout the year including: ETDS, Blackpool Nationals, Bournemouth Friendly, and many more Varsities and Friendlies TBC.

• Fundrasing Activites: (TBC).

• Award Night: (June).

• Anual Trip Abroad: Every year as a society we have a trip abroad to different places, it gives a chance for everyone to bond and make new friendships! Last year we had a fabulous trip to Split, Croatia, and we are excited to see where we travel to this year. (Easter holidays TBC).

• Society Swaps: To be held throughout the year.

Class Timetable

Mondays

18:00-19:30: Novice Latin - BG302

19:30-21:00: Intermediate Latin - BG302

17:30-21:00: Open Practice (All abilities) - BG307

Wednesdays

18:00-20:00: Beginners Class - BG302

18:00-20:00: Non-Competitive Class - BG307

Fridays

18:00-19:30: Novice Ballroom - BG302

19:30-21:00: Intermediate Ballroom - BG302

18:00-21:00: Open Practice (All abilities) - BG307

Sundays

11:00-17:00: Open Practice (All ablilites) - Student Hall

This timetable is subject to change!!

Meet the Committee

President: Hollie-Louise Adams (she/her).

Vice President: Emily Masson (she/her).

Communications Secretary: Sophie Tyler-Bemand (she/her).

Social Secretary: Alannah Mason-Healey (she/her).

Events Manager: Darcey Meade (she/her).

Team Captain: Abbie Pundsack (she/her).

Treasurer: Sasha Duma (she/her).

Meet the Coaches

Dance Captain: Ellie Ward-Webb (she/her).

Novice/Intermediate Latin: Ellie Ward-Webb (she/her).

Novice/Intermediate Ballroom: Kirstie Jewell (she/her), and Ollie Taelman (he/him).

Beginners: Hollie-Louise Adams (she/her), and Darcey Meade (she/her).

Offbeat: Abbie Pundsack (she/her).

Rock n' Roll: Hollie-Lousie Adams (she/her).

Social: Alannah Mason-Healey (she/her).

What Our Members Say:

“It’s just such a relaxed atmosphere with fun people which makes it the perfect place to learn how to dance.”

''Joining BLDS has been a highlight of my uni experince, I've made great friends and shared so many experiences with them'' 

"The society has built my confidence and dance skills so much. I have not only become a much better dancer but I have also met some of my best friends!’"

"Joining BLDS was the best decision! When I joined I felt at home as everyone was so lovely and I’ve made some of my best friends as well as enjoying all the different things I get to be apart of"

"The friends made along the way are irreplaceable!"

“ This society has allowed me to continue my dance training whilst at uni in a supportive and friendly environment with incredible coaching! There has been so many fun socials and I have made so many wonderful memories <3 “

"Everyone is so so supportive and friendly, it is like a family"

"I love the family feeling and inclusivity within the society! Studying can quite often feel like a lot is on my plate, and going to dance classes and competitions feels like an escape from that! I've met some of my best friends through this society and am so excited for the next year"

Join our society and be a part of something special!!

Our Social Media

Instagram: @bu_blds

Tiktok: @bu_blds

Facebook Page: Blds BU

Alumni Facebook Group: BLDS Alumni Group

Linktree: bu_blds

Our Photo Gallery