TOVE IREN SPISSOY GERHARDSE
There will be six locations, both on and off campus, for toe-tapping, feet-squashing dancers to keep the beat during the Homecoming this year.
'This will be a great experience and lots of fun. Everyone should get involved and come,' said Noel Challis, one of the 24 people on this year's Homecoming Dance Committee.
The dances will be Friday from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. and Saturday from 8 p.m. to 11:30.
This year's Homecoming theme is 'Echoes of Truth,' in honor of David O. McKay. The theme for all of the dances will be 'Reflections.'
On-campus dances cost $10, and the Ellsworth dance costs $7 for couples or $4 each. Off-campus dances vary in price from $10 to $14 per couple.
Campus dances on Friday will be held in various locations, including the ELWC Ballroom, the N. Eldon Tanner Building, and the Leo B. Ellsworth Meat and Livestock Center.
New this year is the Big Band Dance in the ELWC Ballroom. Big Band, under the direction of Kevin Rockwell, will be playing live, Challis said. Members of the band are all former BYU students.
The Swing Kids Club will also participate, and there will be real swing dancing, Lewis said. But people do not have to know how to swing dance to come, Challis assured.
At the Tanner Building Top 40 music will rock the house.
This is the first time a dance has been held in the Ellsworth Center. This casual dance is included in a special couple's package for Friday, which includes tickets to the barbecue and Homecoming Spectacular. The package can be purchased for $32 (above concourse seating at the Homecoming Spectacular) and $34 (below concourse) at the Marriott Center Ticket Office. Students will save $4-$5 by buying this package, said Christy Lewis, Executive Director over Homecoming. During the dance, a Polynesian Group will be playing and dancing as well.
Off-campus dances on Friday will be at the Seven Peaks Barn, the Springville Art Museum and the Chillon in Spanish Fork.
For country lovers, there will be country swinging at the Seven Peaks Barn in Provo. The theme of this dance is 'After the Sunset' and will cost $10.
The formal dance at the Springville Art Museum will cost $10 per couple.
One of the most popular dances is the formal Chillon dance, which costs $14. Interested students should try to get tickets beforehand, Challis said. Carriage rides are included in the ticket price.
On Saturday there will not be a dance in the Ellsworth Center. Instead there will be a Top 40 dance in the Ezra Taft Benson Building. Other dances will still be held in the Ballroom (Big Band) and the Tanner Building (Top 40).
Off-campus dances on Saturday include the Springville Art Museum, and the Seven Peaks Barn. Instead of the Chillon, however, there will be a formal dance at the Provo Courthouse for $14.
'I am amazed that BYU is able to arrange these Homecoming dances,' said Eric Hanson, a freshman from Germany majoring in vocal music. 'I once arranged the Homecoming dance for a school with only 800 students, and I know what it takes,' Hanson said.
Hanson already has a date and is now looking forward to the dance Saturday.
The Homecoming committee has been working on arranging the dances since school started this year.
The committee had to get decorations, arrange tables and chairs and prepare the refreshments. The DJs were picked through recommendations from previous years, Noel Challis said.
Tickets will be sold beforehand in the Varsity Theater Ticket Office and at the door.