Though the beginning of a new quarter can be a slow time for events and activities on campus, SPU’s Ante Up dance club is currently planning an event to give students a fun-filled night.
Ante Up is focused on bringing students together to learn about dancing and the dance community around Seattle and is open to anyone interested in teaching or learning about dancing, as well as those interested in the culture of dancing in Seattle. Stephanie Menegon, a fourth-year apparel merchandise student and Ante Up’s publicist, explained further what meetings look like for the club.
“We have meetings every week where we learn another student’s choreography and just dance,” Menegon said. “We try to diversify the styles. Although it’s predominately a hip hop-based dance club, we also try to incorporate contemporary styles or will collaborate with clubs to share other cultural dance styles.”
Ante Up is gearing up for its yearly event, “SPU You Think You Can Dance,” which is set for April 20. The event’s theme is “Into the Danceverse” and, as the name suggests, is a showcase of dancing diversity and a presentation of all sorts of different performing styles.
As Menegon explained, “SPU You Think You Can Dance” is an important event for Ante Up and the SPU dance community, as it gives them an opportunity to showcase their hard work and passion for what they do.
“We do the event for people to show their love and experience of dance,” Menegon said. “Our core group will always perform a hip hop and contemporary piece, but we open it for other students to choreograph a piece as well as clubs and alumni to do a routine. Everyone’s been working on their routines since winter quarter, and it’s really fun to see their finished pieces.”
Evette Amurao, a second-year psychology student and Ante Up’s secretary is also passionate about what the club brings to campus life.
“I hope that more students will be aware of Ante Up because I realized that a lot of students don’t know that SPU has a dance club,” Amuro said. “I want people to know that we welcome anyone to our club, even with little to no dance experience. I think dance is very underrated, so I would want more people to see how hard we work.”
With “SPU you think you can dance” approaching, Ante Up officers are hopeful that students will support their efforts. Rennie Jane Dupar, a third-year physiology student and one of Ante Up’s co-presidents, described the hard work that goes into putting on the event and the student turnout she hopes to see when the event comes together.
“I hope that students come to the event because it’s a ton of fun for everyone, both performers and those attending,” Dupar said. “Our club members and MEP club collaborators have also been working super hard to put together a great show. We’d love for support from our fellow students by coming out.”
Ante Up is one of SPU’s most dedicated clubs for bringing people together and celebrating a common passion amongst the community. The result of that hard work is expected to show during the event.
“I would encourage people to attend not only to simply support other students but because it’s amazing to see how creative people can be,” Menegon said. “Having danced in it last year, the energy of a crowd can entirely change how you perform, and it really means a lot as a dancer to see the support from other students. Even though I won’t be dancing this year, I’m still really excited to see how everyone else will do.”
“SPU You Think You Can Dance” will be held on Saturday, April 20. Those looking to stay up to date with Ante Up’s events and meetings can follow the club on Instagram at @anteupspu.
