On the 14th June, the Hughes Hall Ball, "Explore", marked the beginning of a fun-filled May Week with a bang. The theme of the ball was "the best from around the world", and the organisers certainly succeeded in supplying it. The drinks were plentiful, food was varied, and entertainment in all areas was unfaltering.

The Lindyhop class got the Compass Bar swinging under an ironically displayed mirror ball. To add to the fun, the participants could opt to have their likeness portrayed during a break from the dancing by a portrait artist. The acclaimed Cambridge University Dancesport Team showed awed onlookers how to dance latin and ballroom with style. The CU Lion Dance Troupe gave an engaging performance accompanied by traditional instruments to partygoers queuing for the hot air balloon and world foods in the courtyard.

Music seemed to be around every corner at Explore. The Staircase Band, an awesome foursome from Clare College, wowed wanderers in the vestibule with their unusual mix of trumpets, guitars, accordion and violin. The steel drums of Pandemonium added to the world theme of the night, as did a performance from the Moscow State Circus. Also playing the food court and the vestibule area were The Temperance Boys, a Costa Rican-American duo mixing violin and guitar with folk-country vocals, their act neatly completed by cheque-shirts, cowboy boots, and an authentic cowboy's belt-buckle no less.

Missing Andy, East London boys who just covered for REM at the South by SouthWest festival in Austin, Texas, brought edge to the night's programme with their no-nonsense raw style. As a real treat, the boys hung around after their performance and were a hit with the crowd.

There were plenty of other excitements to keep us happy. What would a May Ball be without a casino proving the obligatory gambling highs? The Hughes Hall committee also provided a "jungle" area where spirits were kept buoyant on the bouncy castle and human table football. A variety of teas were served throughout the night in the sophisticated tearoom, ranging from standard black tea to the more exotic yerba mate. Cocktails flowed freely from the Aztec bar, which, coupled with the two other bar areas supplied customers with quick service and plentiful supplies. The food in the main court changed regularly to keep our interest. An especial favourite for the early morning was the crepe van, feeding the flagging hordes with delicious fillings of maple syrup, lemon and honey, and chocolate sauce as the sun came up.

Kat Austen