Madame Tussaud's Social

Did you know that Madame Tussaud’s has been around for over two hundred years?

Dance Spice

Considering that, it was bound to make an appearance as the theme of a UCT Ballroom social at some point – and what a splendid appearance that was. Thanks again to Bryce’s visionary use of drapes and boxes (not to mention many, many (!) movie posters), Molly Blackburn became the travelling circus of famous artists and personalities that has enthralled all comers since the 1800s.

Beyonce and Ringo Starr

As the evening got underway, a wide variety of characters took the opportunity to get to know one another; the Spice Girls (more or less) scattered upon entry and met a Beatle, Ron Burgundy himself (what a lad!) and even briefly jived with a gorilla, who for his species was particularly well co-ordinated.

The jiving gorilla

Freddie Mercury’s “Don’t Stop Me  Now” elicited a full-floor takeover by one couple (the gathered crowd eagerly stopped to watch) after which several shots of our two Michael Jacksons were taken in the mandatory poses to the tune of “Black or White”.

Once the music wound down to the last waltz, it was time for everyone to head back to their own home towns (and times!) with pleasant memories of an evening dancing with the best company the last fifty years have had to offer – in the words of George Gershwin, “who could ask for anything more?”

Britney x2 and a Michael

Photos by Anton Moisey

Once Upon A Time...

Once Upon a Time, 

in a land far, far away, there was a Ballroom Social. Messengers went from city to city, house to house, making this event known to all as a mystical gathering of fairy-tale characters who came from far and wide for an evening of merriment.

With the stage set, castle in the background and all, the dancing began in earnest. Esmerelda met the Cheshire Cat, Aladdin introduced himself to Sleeping Beauty, a passing pirate danced with Batman and a local piper displayed a magnificent sokkie whenever he could. While these events of legend continued, a story-book was set up next to the sound system and the tale of the Once Upon a Time social was written by those characters passing by.

As the evening drew to a close, and the dancers faded away back to their day-to-day lives, a final piece of magic was worked by the dedicated Comm. to turn Bryce's vision back into Molly Blackburn Hall.

This fairy-tale was a splendid way to lead up to the Formal, and what a wondrous social it was - The End.

Written by Peter Beare

PR Manager 2013

Photos by Anton Moisey

When I Grow Up Social

When I grow up I want to be...a doctor, a ballerina, an artist, a rock star, a boxer...a ballroom dancer!!!

Rock Star!

This social took us back to our childhoods, to a time when life was simple and carefree and making a big decision would be which flavour of ice-cream to ask for. It was such fun seeing what our fellow dancers' plans for the future were when they were children and how many of them are on their way to achieving these goals - Unfortunately Harry Potter wannabes and fairies are excluded from this. A night of childhood memories and memories-in-the-making!

Iron Man

"Dancers are clearly a very optimistic bunch - if our costumes held any truth for the future, we'll never be short of scientists and Harry Potter will be swooping around on his (or in this case, her) broom stick! Never the less, the best part about the social for me was seeing lab-coated scientists waltzing along the floor, archaeologists breaking it down in a boogie, and even the likes of Bob The Builder swinging his hips to the Cha-Cha. Definitely a humorous and eventful night to remember." - Allister Smith (Beginner)

"Dressing up for the social was a great way to take off my 'normal' mask and to give free reign to another (part of my) personality." Liesbeth-Helena Gouws (Intermediate)

"It was fun as I got to remember what I wanted to be before I discovered money, girls and responsibility" - Alan Clarke (Advanced)

Mad Scientists

Photos: Jennifer Marshall

Semi-Formal: Lost in Time

Merada and Nick show off their jive kicks

Zulfa (1950s) and Alan (WWI pilot)

This year's semi-formal was a great success, with delicious food (thanks to Jen and her helpers), great company from the Maties Dance Society and beautiful decor (thanks to Bryce and his team) - including a time machine and a 'Lost' jungle! The dancers came in an assortment of olden-day and futuristic costumes. There was an Audrey Hepburn from Breakfast at Tiffany's, a Marilyn Monroe, Doctor Who and River Song, a WWI pilot, flappers and even an Alice in Wonderland!

The social was attended by over 100 dancers! It was such a fantastic evening, and the members agree:

Lara Milne and Chris Basson as River Song and Dr Who

"Was such an amazing feeling dressing up and walking into a place decorated to make you feel like you're in another world, knowing you can dance all night!" - Isabel Micklem (Beginner)

"Had a great time getting lost in fun" - Tebo Cochrane (Intermediate)

Rosy, Alex and Lauren in the time machine

“I loved the semi-formal because I had so much fun, dancing with so many amazing people!” - Alexander Peel (Beginner)

"The social was a blast, especially interesting comparing the moves that the UCT dancers do, to what we have been taught in our classes" - Fiona Smith, Maties Dance Society (Advanced)

"Inviting the Stellenbosch Society gave the night the atmosphere of a real ball, with strangers you could ask to dance." - Sebastian Lumpp (Beginner)

 "Even though I'm not around any more it was totally worth coming to  visit for the semi-formal. I miss you guys, thanks for a wonderful evening!" - Shaun Silson (Long Distance Member)

Mmm! Chloe and Laura enjoying Jen's pinwheel biscuits!

 "Dressing up for the semi-formal was always going to be fun, but finding an old dancing dress of my grandmother's made it spectacular. One thing I will say though - it takes a hang of a lot more co-ordination to dance in something floor-length! The evening was fantastic, the music was fun, the influx of the Stellies people was great, and Jen's pinwheel biscuits were nothing short of legendary." - Laura Barnard (Beginner)

Photos: Anton Moisey and Jared Baboo

Unda Da Sea Social

“Such wonderful things surround you… what more are you lookin’ for?”

Having carted in a considerable amount of water in the form of several blue spotlights, the Committee members did a fantastic job (once again!) of transforming the Molly Blackburn Hall into the scene of the Society’s latest social, “Unda Da Sea”, attended by jellyfish, mermaids and Kings of the Sea alike. Twirling around the dance floor, dancing required every bit of talent that the members had as they dodged fins, tentacles, seaweed and even the occasional trident.

The beginners showed off their new Jive, Cha-Cha and Boogie steps learnt over the past few weeks, then stood back to admire the more experienced dancers as they danced the Quickstep, Slow Foxtrot and Salsa; there was even a Sokkie or two to keep those eager fans satisfied…

Dancing and socialising the whole night through, the social proved what Sebastian said in the original song: “Unda Da Sea – since life is sweet here, we got the beat here, naturally!”


                                                                                         - written by Beginner, Peter Beare
Photos: Anton Moisey and Jared Baboo

Beginners' Social - Saturday Night Fever

“Night fever, night fever! We know how to do it!” <point, point, point, point and finger-gun, finger-gun, sprinkler, sprinkler, sprinkler, sprinkler>

This year’s Beginners' Social involved more sequins than I have ever seen in one place before! With a few afros, John Travolta white suits, a whole lot of peace signs and even a mirror ball, we grooved our way through the night!

This was the beginners' first social where they did Ballroom and Latin dances - Cha-cha, Jive, Salsa, Boogie, Rhythm Foxtrot and Waltz. After just five weeks of dance classes, they were confidently spinning around the floor!

We even learnt a funky line dance to go with our far out threads and the disco décor. Oh, what a night!

 Photos: Anton Moisey and Jennifer Marshall

Show Down at the Hoe Down – Beginners Barn Dance Social

Yeeeeeeeeeeeeehaaaaaaaaaaw!

Over 120 cowboys, cowgirls and a couple of village idiots…er…what…cantered into Jameson Hall for UCT Ballroom and Latin Dancing Society’s Beginners Social – A Barn Dance! The dancing was run by the well-known barn dance caller, Caroline Blundell, who had us all dosey-doeing like pros!

With a heel and toe and away we go…and away we went indeed – kicks here, promenades there and a few gallops everywhere. We were rock-tap-turning and having an absolute blast! 

Everyone dressed up for the occasion in their denims and checks with boots and cowboy hats too (which were thrown into the air accompanied by an enthusiastic “yeehaw!” at the end of each dance). The hall was decorated to theme too, with plenty of hay bales, lassos, drapes and flashing lights.

After spinning our partners around the room, it was great to relax with a free bottle of vitaminwater – our Plaza Week sponsors whom we would like to thank for their generous support.

The Barn Dance was a great start to the dancing year and we would like to extend a warm welcome to all of our beginners. We hope that you had a fantastic time at the social and that the time you spend with UCT Ballroom and Latin Dancing Society will be just as much fun – the dances you learn and the friends you make. Welcome!

Photos: Anton Moisey and Jennifer Marshall

Old Members’ Social

“It's astounding, time is fleeting
Madness takes its toll
But listen closely, not for very much longer
I've got to keep control”

We certainly didn’t keep too much control, considering the number of ‘sweet transvestites’ that stumbled into Molly Blackburn in their high-heels and suspenders for the Old Members’ Social – The Rocky Horror Picture Show! What better theme to celebrate the end of the past year and the beginning of 2012 before welcoming a new batch of beginners (fresh meat!...er….what?)

With “a jump to the left…and a step to the riii-iiiight” we danced the night away while trying to keep our wigs, corsets and suspenders from falling off. Prizes were awarded to the best dressed…or undressed…

“With a bit of a mind flip
You're there in the time slip
And nothing can ever be the same”

The 2012 committee has a fun-filled year packed with other exciting socials. After such a successful Plaza Week with over 250 sign-ups, 2012 is going to be a fantastic year for UCT Ballroom and Latin.

“So come up to the lab and see what's on the slab. I see you shiver with antici...pation.”

A Day at the Races

A Day at the Races turned into a Night at Stellenbosch.

This year I have come to the conclusion that the UCT Ballroom and Latin Dancing Society is having an amazing year. Our dancers are unbelievably talented, the beginners have been eager and the socials have been heaps of fun.

Saturday night was no exception. Although everyone had to go all the way to the Neelsie in Stellenbosch, come whatever may, UCT came out in full force. Not only did we have amazing numbers of people; but everyone looked extraordinarily beautiful, sophisticated and daring. The boys looked hot, the girls looked sexy and we hit that dance floor like confetti at a wedding. We sparkled and smiled, danced our hearts out and made the committee feel incredibly proud.



I saw a gleam in everyone’s eyes as UCT checked out fellow Stellenbosch dancers. Bridges were crossed and many UCT/Stellenbosch couples formed for a waltz or two. We even showed off our talents when the sokkie dances came on. The atmosphere in the Neelsie was really friendly and happy and I want to thank everyone who attended for being good to our neighbours. (Neigh-bours, get it?).



I want to thank Bryce, Lani, Bernie and Max for transforming a very dull hall into a stylish space. Although the horses looked a bit more like donkeys than racing machines, I only have myself to blame. Everything else looked amazing, the food was good and drinks kept flowing.



I also want to thank Stellenbosch for hosting the event, for helping out with the decorations and for providing the food. We hope to make this an annual tradition, so expect more inter-varsity socials in the future.

Stellenbosch, we will soon be back, don’t you worry. Except, this time, we will be a little more serious, demonstrating our talents to the dance floor at Intervarsity. See you in August.