The Cowboy Country Swing Club (CCSC) held its annual fundraiser event last week at the historic Quadra Dangle, with live music and charming raffle prizes.
The club raised money so that it can send its instructors to the Nomads Winter Convention.
“It is both a dance convention and competition that will allow our instructors to learn new ways to teach swing dance as well as what country swing dancing competitions look like from all across the country,” President Brandon Bartush said.
This is the third annual NWC and it is being held in Denver Colorado in February 2023. The convention offers dance lessons, competitions with prizes, raffles, charity fundraisers, onsite vendors, private lessons, and social dancing.
A two-dollar raffle ticket gave the buyer a chance to win one of five prize baskets.
There was a date night basket, with tickets to Studio City UW; a local basket, with trinkets from different Laramie businesses; a spa basket, with some face masks and candles; and there were two baked goods baskets made by Vice President Lilly Marks.
“The last time there was a convention I didn’t get to go, but I signed up for it this time and I’m really looking forward to it,” Liam O’Connor, a UW junior and dance instructor said. “Hopefully schedule-wise I can make it.”
O’Connor is also the founding member of the band Rolling 7s which played for the CCSC event.
“We’re a five-person band and we’ve been playing for about a month and a half now,” O’Connor said. “This is our first actual gig and we’re just happy to be here.”
“It’s a little bigger of a deal because like, I’m an instructor as well as the band lead, so I’m vouching for my band by playing here and they’re vouching for me.”
Compared to past events this one was more subdued, but there was still an excellent turnout and the club raised a considerable amount of money.
“We sold over 200 tickets and raised a little over $450 dollars,” President Brandon Bartush said.
Last year the club raised $935 dollars during their fundraising event which they held during homecoming week 2021.
The CCSC had the same plan for this year but because the football game was moved the club had to make some last-minute changes.
The CCSC is the largest club on campus, with over 100 people participating in their weekly lessons on campus. It is a great way to meet new people and make connections.
“I started swing dancing when I first got here and I’ve made some great friends along the way,” VP Marks said. “It’s just a great way to make community.”
