Tell us a bit about Cambridge Dancers’ Club
We are the biggest dance society in Cambridge, and one of the largest in the country, with up to 2,000 members a year. We hold lessons five times a week, in ballroom, Latin, salsa, dance sport and rock ‘n’ roll, catering for complete beginners up to advanced dancers. There are things happening all the time: socials, tea-dances, workshops, balls. If you’d like to compete, we’ve got dance sport and rock ‘n’ roll teams. The classes are taught by professional coaches. You don’t need to have danced before and you don’t need a partner. I started dancing a year ago and I’m here now! (Ben is the rock ‘n’ roll team captain).

You say beginners can do it, but what about those with two left feet?
A lot of people come to us who have danced and are looking for a dancing club, but a lot of people just think that it’s something to try. We cater for people who’ve never danced before, in any shape or form. The majority of our classes are beginners classes. We’ll teach you, even if you’ve got two left feet, or perhaps three or four. People come thinking they can’t dance and they pick it up. The classes start really slowly.

Your website claims that getting a dancing Half Blue is “better than winning the Boat Race”. Can you confirm that?
It’s much more fun than the boat race. You get to meet people and dance for fun, and you don’t need to get up at five in the morning.

Has Strictly Come Dancing changed things?
Yes! When it started six years ago, there was a massive surge in membership. It’s really good publicity, because it shows anyone can dance, just come to lessons and surprise yourself! In two months, the celebrities come up with these massive routines that impress even our dance sport team, who compete internationally. We’ve had Anton du Beke and Erin Boag (Strictly dancers) teach classes and coach the team. Now, we have Bruce Lait, who was in the Strictly Ballroom Dancing tour.

What makes the club special?
It’s addictive! It’s so addictive! I started dancing last year: one night a week rock ‘n’ roll, and now I’m doing three nights rock ‘n’ roll and three nights ballroom. On the seventh night I dance at College because there’s no CDC stuff on Saturdays! It’s a great way to meet people and to leave work behind. Just put some music on and get lost in the dancing.

Do you tend to be short of male dancers?
Yes, especially on the teams. Beginners’ classes aren’t too bad. You don’t need a partner to come to dance. Just turn up, and you swap partners every five minutes. You dance with most people there. The teams could definitely do with more male dancers, all the time. Don’t be scared to dance! It’s OK for men to dance! There’s no stigma to it! It’s okay for females to dance as well, but you know what I mean!

What events do you run?
We have weekly classes five nights a week, but you don’t have to come to all of them! One night a week would do. We have tea-dances every month or so, where you come for an afternoon, have tea, biscuits, put some music on, do some social dancing. There’s general dancing every Friday, which is similar (just put music on, come and dance). Every term we have a black tie ball with a live band and performances from the team. And there are workshops in different styles throughout the term. There are things happening all the time. You can easily dance seven nights a week, which is what I do!

How do you become a member?
Membership costs £15 for the whole year, which is very good value. Classes are £2 for less than an hour and £3 for over an hour. Compared to most dance societies, that is very good.

Ben Roberts was Interviewed by isobel weinberg
Find out more at www.cambridgedancers.org