Hands were locked and some feet were bare as students learned how to do the tango at Teach me Tuesday.

David Lin, of Champaign, instructed students on how to do Argentine-style tango. Lin, trained in ballroom dancing, owns Regent Ballroom located in Champaign.

“Tango is a dance of passion,” Lin said. “Dancing with a partner, the music; the way it all comes together is magical.”

Lin split the floor of the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union University Ballroom in half with guys on one side and ladies on the other. He walked the students through the basic steps of tango.

After they learned the beginning steps, he brought the couples together. The men held the women and the ladies followed their lead. Some students were better at the dance than others.

Laughter rang out as students lost their balance when taught the basic steps of tango.

Learning tango may have been fun for participants, but Lin says it is more than just a dance, tango is a life lesson.

“It’s an etiquette; how you (men) treat ladies,” Lin said. “A relationship between women and men, like real life.”

Rila Cornett, a junior, elementary education major loves to dance. Cornett has 17 years of dance training and said she loves different forms of dance, including ballet, tap and jazz.

“It teaches rhythm and is culturally important,” Cornett said.

“Dancing With The Stars,” “So You Think You Can Dance” and other shows alike inspired some students to attend the hour long Tango lesson.

Jessica Fernandez, a sophomore, said she loves dance. She said it is a great way to express oneself.

“It’s a great way to release energy, a great form of exercise,” Fernandez said.

Chandra Golden, graduate adviser for student life says these types of events introduce students to diverse college experiences and they can take with them after they graduate.

Crystal Alston can be reached at 581-7942 or cralston@eiu.edu.

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