China Programs and Chinese Students & Scholars Association (CSSA) hosted a Halloween/Thanksgiving Dance party for Chinese students in the North Ballroom at Lory Student Center on the evening of October 30. There were about 60 students dressing up and coming to the event.
An exciting performance song “Roses, Roses” sang by Xie Tiao opened the event. Ying Cheng, the China Programs Coordinator introduced the history and some traditions about Halloween and Thanksgiving as well as some dancing etiquettes. Two dance teachers, Cao Yupeng and Shi Yao (China Partner students) taught students the ballroom dance. Students were very excited to learn the steps. Followed by the dance teaching, it was the most exciting part of the event – A Ballroom Dance Competition. All the students were divided into groups of 8 (4 males and 4 females). The hosts gave each group 5 minutes to talk and know each other and then practice the ballroom dance they just learned. Each group was asked to select the best dance partners to compete with other groups. Finally, two students won the competition and got a nice gift. China Programs also prepared the Thanksgiving traditional food – roasted turkey and Halloween tradition – pumpkin painting for students to experience the traditional holiday culture. Though in the competition part, some students were a little bit shy, we all had fun and celebrated the two holidays together with each other.