A Night in India!

UCT Ballroom Formal 2011: ‘A Night in India’

On the evening of Saturday the 17^th of September, the UCT Ballroom and Latin Dancing Society arrived at Kelvin Grove for a night of elegance – in India! Saris, henna, lavish materials, bindis and even a turban or two made their way into the ballroom, which was adorned with the colours and textures of an Indian palace. Thanks to Lucy Farrow and her team of helpers, every lady was made to feel like an Indian princess and every gentleman like a maharajah.

After being greeted with a glass of bubbly, we were swept into a whirl of colour – bright pinks, reds, oranges and yellows dangled from every inch of the magnificent room, with its golden chandeliers and sweeping staircases. After having our photographs taken by a professional photographer (and practising many a dip for the camera), we were welcomed by our chairlady, Lara, to the 2011 committee’s final major event for the year.

Not only is the formal the main social event on the Ballroom calendar, but it is also a chance to thank the current committee for all that they have done for the society. The most improved beginner for the year, the dancer who shows the most promise, was also announced, and this year it went to Salahuddeen Ahmad.

The hours of searching for that perfect outfit to fit the theme - winding oneself into a sari (without looking like a sack of potatoes), searching for sari fabric, having henna done (thanks to Bhanoo Sukha of Art of Mehndi) was well worth it! No Indian-themed Formal would be complete without an appropriate line dance, so once we had had our delicious butternut soup starter and buffet main course, we all sprang onto the sprung dance floor for Iliana’s Indian routine. And of course no dancing social is complete without the Macarena, Cha Cha Slide and some Cotton Eye Joe… (we like our line dances, ok?) and plenty of Ballroom and Latin dances too!

Now that the floor had been warmed up, it was time for the final performance of the 2011 formation dance (not really Indian as such, but it did involve ‘Waka Waka’…). After that, we all tucked into the array of sweet delights.

We could have danced all night, but as the clock struck 12 (or rather, 1am), so Cinderella had to leave the ball (before her sari turned back into a draped piece of 6-metre fabric). The formal was a fantastic evening and we eagerly await the 2012 ball!

- Kathryn Luyt

Professional photos from the event can be found on our Facebook page!