OSU’s Cool Shoes Troupe becomes increasingly close as school year steps forward

By Mary Ann Albright/Photos by Andy Cripe
The Entertainer

As the men in Cool Shoes spun their partners out for the grand finale of the quickstep routine, they deftly pulled at the ladies’ skirts.

The long, flowing black cloth flew away, revealing short, sparkly ruffles. With that, the couples launched into a lively Charleston.

At least that was the exciting transition team director Cathy Dark envisioned. A recent rehearsal of Oregon State University’s ballroom troupe proved that tying the perfect slip knot is an art.

Too loose, and the skirts fall off during the quickstep’s advanced patterns of hops and runs. Too tight, and the knots thwart Dark’s desired tear-away effect.

The team tackled the problem just as they conquered the tricky solo passages in the Lindy Hop number. The answer to the naughty knots? Velcro!

OSU students must audition each spring for Cool Shoes, the university’s elite ballroom team for over 15 years.

The 22-member group falls under the department of nutrition and exercise sciences. Students practice for two hours twice a week with Dark, although many log additional hours dancing outside the classroom.

Sam Lee, a sophomore majoring in chemical engineering, is enjoying his second year on the team. Lee took ballroom dancing classes at OSU as a freshman. Students need at least one year of ballroom training to join Cool Shoes.

Lee decided to take up ballroom after attending one of the university’s regular social dances in the Memorial Union Ballroom.

“I went to a dance with a friend and saw the Viennese Waltz. I thought, ‘I want to learn that.’”

Lee has yet to master this most difficult of smooth ballroom dances, but he’s not giving up.

Cool Shoes members agree that the team becomes increasingly close as the school year progresses.

“It’s a good way to meet people outside your major,” said Robyn Weiss, a veteran Cool Shoes dancer. Weiss is a recent graduate of OSU’s zoology program. She particularly likes West Coast Swing.

Andrew Hancock, a junior music education major, prefers smooth dances — especially the waltz. Hanock is a second-year member of Cool Shoes, and vice president of OSU’s Ballroom Dance Club.

As in love, business and life, trust in one’s partner is critical on the dance floor, said Robin Petkovsek, a fifth-year zoology student.

The women, wearing colorful polka-dotted costumes, get flipped upside down and swung all around during the Lindy Hop. Their heads sail dangerously close to the floor as the men maneuver the women to the swinging sounds of Casey MacGill’s “Jump Up.”

Cool Shoes leaders caution that flips and lifts, while an exciting part of a troupe’s performances, are dangerous and do not belong on the social dance floor.

Anna Kelbert, a Ph.D. student in geophysics, is new to Cool Shoes this year. However, she’s been dancing latin ballroom for nine years.

Kelbert learned to dance in her hometown of Cambridge, England. American ballroom is very different from the International style practiced in England, so Kelbert must make certain adjustments to her dancing.

In the International style, couples stand closer together, emphasizing the relationship between man and woman, and allowing the pair to move more quickly and uniformly, Kelbert explained. American style, she contrasted, is less rigid and precise in its execution.

Dark thinks Cool Shoes performances provide good exposure for OSU in the community. She said they offer joy and entertainment for audiences, as well as encourage people to consider the health benefits of adopting ballroom dance as a lifelong hobby.

“(Cool Shoes) inspires a lot of people to start dancing, continue dancing or get back to it. Cool Shoes gets them excited about dancing,” Dark said.

Mary Ann Albright can be reached at maryann.albright@lee.net or 758-9518.

Mary Ann Albright can be reached at maryann.albright@lee.net or 758-9518

If you dance

Corvallis and Oregon State University offer a lot of opportunities to watch and participate in ballroom, latin and swing dancing.

9 to 11:30 p.m. Mondays: Dancing at the Lakepark Entertainment Center, 6400 N.W. Highway 99W, $3

7 to 10 p.m. Wednesdays: Lesson from 7 to 8, dance practice from 8 to 10 in OSU’s Women’s Building Room 116, $1 for lesson, dancing practice is free

6 to 10 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4: Lesson, Cool Shoes performance and social dance in the Memorial Union Ballroom, $5 for students, $8 for community members

7 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28: Lesson and social dance in the Memorial Union Ballroom, free

6 to 10 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 19: Lesson and social dance in the Memorial Union Ballroom, $5 for students, $8 for community members

7 to 11 p.m. Saturday, March 11: Lesson, Cool Shoes performance and social dance in the Memorial Union Ballroom, $5 for students, $8 for community members

8 p.m. Friday, May 19: Cool Shoes Spring Concert, LaSells Stewart Center, 875 S.W. 26th St., $7 for students and seniors, $10 for community members

Barbara Platt teaches classes at Timberhill Athletic Center, 2855 N.W. 29th St. For more information, call 757-8559.