"Where Every Step is a Celebration: Join the Crimson Tide Ballroom for Fun, Friendship, and Fantastic Dancing!" We can't wait to dance with you! Certainly!
Welcome to the Crimson Tide Ballroom Dancers (CTBD)! Based in the heart of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, we are an enthusiastic group passionate about all things ballroom dancing and music. Founded in October 2006 by the dynamic duo of Jennifer and Jimmy Kunz, CTBD is dedicated to fostering a vibrant dance community that extends throughout Tuscaloosa and the surrounding counties. Our mission is to spread t
he joy of ballroom, swing, and line dancing to students at the University of Alabama and other local schools, as well as to everyone in our community. Whether you're a seasoned dancer or just starting out, CTBD offers a fun and welcoming environment where you can enjoy social dancing year-round! Join us for our exciting social ballroom events and stay updated on all our happenings. You can look forward to learning a wide array of dance styles, including the Foxtrot, Waltz, East Coast Swing, West Coast Swing, Rumba, Tango, Salsa, and many more like the Cupid Shuffle and Electric Slide! We host monthly dance events at venues such as Smith Hall, the Ferguson Center Ballroom, and Calvary Baptist Church, where camaraderie and rhythm meet in a celebration of dance. Ready to take the plunge and join us on the dance floor? Visit our website at www.CTBD.org for more details and to stay connected with all our upcoming events. Here’s a detailed list of the dances we cover at Crimson Tide Ballroom Dancers (CTBD), along with descriptions for each style:
### Ballroom Dances
1. **Foxtrot**: A smooth, progressive dance characterized by long, flowing movements. It combines slow and quick steps, making it elegant and suitable for a variety of music.
2. **Waltz**: Known for its graceful, sweeping movements, the Waltz features a 3/4 time signature and is often danced in a romantic style, showcasing a rise and fall motion.
3. **Tango**: A passionate and dramatic dance, the Tango is marked by sharp movements and intricate footwork. It emphasizes connection between partners and is often danced to upbeat and dramatic music.
4. **Rumba**: Often referred to as the "dance of love," the Rumba is a slow, romantic Latin dance with a strong emphasis on hip movement and a sensual connection between partners.
5. **Cha Cha**: A lively and playful Latin dance that features quick footwork and energetic rhythms. The Cha Cha is known for its fun flirtatious style and is danced to upbeat music.
6. **Bolero**: A slow, romantic dance that combines elements of the Rumba and Waltz, featuring dramatic pauses and smooth, flowing movements.
### Swing Dances
1. **East Coast Swing**: A lively and energetic dance that originated in the 1920s and 30s. It features a simple six-count pattern and is often danced to classic swing music.
2. **West Coast Swing**: A more contemporary version of swing dancing, characterized by its smooth, linear movements and extension of the dance space. It allows for improvisation and is danced to a variety of music genres.
3. **Single Swing**: A fun and easy version of swing dancing that typically uses a basic six-count step, making it accessible for beginners.
### Line Dances
1. **Cupid Shuffle**: A popular line dance that is simple to learn and often performed at parties and social events. It follows a repeated sequence of steps to a catchy tune.
2. **Electric Slide**: A classic line dance that involves a series of easy steps set to music, making it a staple at social gatherings and parties.
3. **Barn Dance**: A group dance style performed in a circle or a line, featuring various formations and often accompanied by lively folk music.
4. **Circle Dance**: Similar to barn dancing, participants form a circle and perform choreographed or improvisational movements together.
### Other Fun Dances
1. **Salsa**: A vibrant and energetic Latin dance known for its quick footwork and lively rhythms, Salsa incorporates a variety of spins and turns.
2. **Mambo**: A lively and rhythmic dance that emphasizes hip movements and syncopated steps. It’s often danced to upbeat Latin music.
3. **Hustle**: A fast-paced dance style that originated in disco clubs. It features quick footwork and turns, typically danced to upbeat disco and funk music.
4. **2-Step**: A dance that involves simple step patterns and is typically performed to country music. It’s a great social dance for gatherings.
5. **Peabody**: An energetic dance characterized by quick steps and a bouncing movement, often danced to swing music.
6. **Shivers**: A fun and easy line dance that involves simple movements and is often danced in a group.
7. **The Wobble**: An upbeat line dance that is popular at parties and events, known for its catchy rhythm and simple choreography. This diverse range of dance styles allows our members to explore various rhythms, techniques, and social interactions, making for an enriching and enjoyable experience at CTBD!
06/25/2026
Welcome to the Dance Floor!
Whether you're taking your very first dance steps or you've been gliding across the floor for years, social dancing is all about having fun, making connections, and sharing the joy of movement! This diagram is designed to help everyone navigate the dance floor safely and confidently, so all dancers can enjoy a smooth, enjoyable experience.
Think of the dance floor like a friendly highway. Progressive dances such as Waltz, Foxtrot, Tango, and Two-Step travel around the outside lanes in a counter-clockwise "Line of Dance." Dances that stay mostly in one place—such as Swing, Hustle, line dances, and spot dances—are best enjoyed in the center of the floor. By staying aware of your surroundings, respecting the flow of traffic, and sharing space with fellow dancers, you'll help create a welcoming atmosphere where everyone can relax, learn, and have a great time.
Remember, social dancing isn't about perfection—it's about music, laughter, friendship, and creating wonderful memories together. So smile, be courteous, watch out for your fellow dancers, and most importantly... keep dancing and have fun! 💃🕺✨
06/25/2026
🌟 Celebrating Student Excellence! 🌟
Join us in a big round of applause for the incredible Anna Barkey!
🎉 As a longtime member of CTBD and a former Vice President, Anna has truly shined both on and off the dance floor.
Anna is a proud 2026 graduate of The University of Alabama, earning a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with minors in Neuroscience and Spanish. Her dedication, leadership, and zest for learning have been inspiring to all of us.
She’s been dancing with Crimson Tide Ballroom Dancers since high school, and her enthusiasm and talent have brought so much joy and energy to our community. Watching her grow has been a true pleasure!
Anna, we couldn’t be more proud of your achievements and can't wait to see all the amazing things you’ll do next. Here’s to your bright future—keep dancing through life with that same passion and sparkle! ❤️🖤🐘💃
06/25/2026
🎉✨ Join us in celebrating an incredible talent and shining star! ✨🎉
Please give a huge round of applause to Logan Rice, a dedicated student of Crimson Tide Ballroom Dancers (CTBD) and our former president, as he continues to do what he loves most—performing, dancing, and spreading joy to everyone around him! www.ctbd.org 💃🎭
Currently a senior at The University of Alabama, Logan is chasing his dreams with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre, specializing in Musical Theatre. His passion, talent, and unwavering dedication light up every stage he graces—both on campus and beyond!
At CTBD, Logan has been a beacon of leadership, enthusiasm, and pure love for the performing arts. We are beyond proud to watch him soar, sharing his gifts and inspiring others along the way. Your CTBD family is cheering YOU on every step of the journey! 🙌🌟
Congratulations, Logan! We are so proud of your achievements and cannot wait to see all the amazing things you will accomplish. Keep dancing, keep shining, and keep inspiring the world with your incredible talent! 🚀🎉
Dive deeper into Logan’s journey and accomplishments in the University of Alabama Theatre & Dance publication:👉https://theatredance.ua.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Stages-Spring2025.pdf
05/10/2026
Dear Beautiful Mothers,
At Crimson Tide Ballroom Dancers, we want to celebrate you today with all the love, admiration, and appreciation you truly deserve. Your unwavering devotion, strength, and grace inspire us all, both on and off the dance floor.
Dance as though no one is watching — because your love and dedication shine brightest when you dance freely, expressing your heart’s joy and devotion. Whether you've met your partner through our dances, or have become parents along this beautiful journey, your love story is a testament to the power of movement, connection, and passion.
To all the mothers who have danced with us, who have shared their love, and who continue to inspire us every day — we love you all. Your nurturing spirit and unwavering devotion make this dance community a special family.
Happy Mother’s Day from all of us at Crimson Tide Ballroom. May your day be filled with love, joy, and the rhythm of your beautiful hearts.
With love and gratitude,
Crimson Tide Ballroom Dancers