Bristol University Latin American & Ballroom Dancing Society

Bristol University Latin American & Ballroom Dancing Society (BULABDS) is a student society affiliated with the University of Bristol Union. It has two main functions:

• the society lessons, where large groups of students (often more than 300) are taught basic steps for a number of Modern Ballroom and Latin American dances.
• the team, which represents the university at national competitions such as SUDA and IVDA.

History

BULABDS was founded in the late 1960s, and was affiliated to IVDC immediately. The society was firmly established by 1970, when it hosted the eighth Inter Varsity Dance Championships.

Until 2003, the society was known as Bristol University Ballroom Dancing Society (BUBDS).

Society

The society is one of the largest currently affiliated with the University of Bristol Union, with around five hundred members each year. Furthermore, it has the highest ACTIVE membership, with a large proportion of its members participating in events organised by the society (typically lessons) usually once every week. Its size has been criticised as giving a less personal feel; in order to overcome this committee and team members are encouraged to join the social lessons, assisting beginners, and more advanced dancers are given free entry to beginners' classes.

The society often holds social events (such as the annual Christmas Ball) for its members, and also holds charity events such as sponsored dances. In 2005, members of the society took part in a charity event for the Indonesian tsunami fund.

Team

BULABDS typically fields two branches of competitive dancers at regional, national and international competitions:

• the Beginners' Team, consisting of those dancers who have never danced previous to that year. Each couple learn four dances (Waltz, Quickstep, Cha Cha and Jive)
• the Main Team, GeneRally consisting of four teams ('A', 'B', 'C' and 'D') of four couples each, with each couple trained in one of the IVDA team dances (currently Waltz, Quickstep, Cha Cha and Jive).

In addition, the society often fields an 'offbeat' team which performs a set dance routine.

Bristol's 'A' team won the 2005 IVDC.

Notable Members and Teachers

• Diane Barron, President of the British Association of Teachers of Dancing in 2005
• Bryan Isaac, President of the British Association of Teachers of Dancing in 1995 and 1996