Members of Crimson Rhythm practice dance routines in Aggie Underground Friday. (Photo by Daniel Griffin)
Story by Danny Griffin
On a Friday night, Corbett Center is usually devoid of students and everything is relatively quiet – unless, you’re in Aggie Underground with the New Mexico State University competitive dancesport company, Crimson Rhythm.
Dancesport is a style of competitive ballroom partner dancing that can take on most any style of music or dancing.
Origins
Competitive dancesport at NMSU originally started as a club activity 10 years ago. After a decade as a club, the activity turned up the level of significance. Within the last year it has turned into an official company, which means Crimson Rhythm competes nationally.
“Most of us took dance class for fun,” says John Giusto, 22, co-president of Crimson Rhythm and engineering major. Giusto, alongside co-president Derek Leyva, run the group and make sure things run as smoothly as their dance routines.
According to the Crimson Rhythm Web site, there are three purposes of Crimson Rhythm, but one stands out in particular: “Provide members with a unique entertainment service and an expanded social and cultural environment.” After observing just one of their practices, it becomes clear just how true that statement is.
The music and style changed countless times during the 20 minutes the group practiced. Partners waltzed to classical music for a bit, then, without skipping a beat, started swing dancing across the entire floor.
Types of dance
Giusto explains that because dance styles come from all over the world, there is a dance style for everything. There are numerous styles to go with each genre; there is even a style to go along with one of Giusto’s favorite bands, Linkin Park.
Giusto says that the group competes in ballroom, swing and Latin dances. The Latin style is “all-encompassing,” according to Giusto, and covers dance styles from Latin cultures all over the globe.
“Less than 10 percent (of those involved in dancesport) are dance majors,” Guisto says. But don’t let that statistic take away from how much effort and drive it takes to compete. “We practice year-round,” Giusto says.
Crimson Rhythm spends up to 30 hours each week practicing dance routines it may use in a competition. The group will compete in the 11th Annual Stanford Cardinal Classic April 24 at Stanford University.
