Sequins, flouncy skirts, and tuxes filled the River Café, which, on Saturday, Dec. 2, was transformed into a ballroom for ARC's second semesterly Ballroom Dance Competition.

Complete with professional dancers as judges, the format followed a tight schedule organized by semifinal and final heats. The 50 students danced 10 styles in front of a loud audience, who shouted out their favorite dancers' numbers, hoping to influence the judges. Social Dance/Ballroom 340 teachers Jeanie Iben and Paul Zimny organized the competition.

"I used to compete as a dancer," says Iben, who has been dancing for more than 20 years and teaching for eight. "It makes you improve. The competition makes [the students] more into it. Competing gives them incentive."

The dancers are judged as a couple, and dance a wide variety of styles including the Waltz, Argentine Tango, and Salsa.

For the dancers, the competition is optional. But they appear to take it very seriously, dressed to the nines in spiffy tuxes and dresses fit for a prom. They appeared to be very experienced and at ease with the steps.

"I just wanted to see how good I was," says dancer Devin Narvaez.

The judges, professional dancers David Stewart, Grace Kato, and Johnny Ochoa, judge on execution as well as showmanship.

"We judge on timing, footwork, posture, and things like 'are they having a good time,' are they relaxed, smiling?" explains Stewart.

"Presence always helps them rank," Iben adds.

Stewart and his partner and fellow judge, Grace Kato, are international Grand Ballroom champions and have been dancing together for 14 years. The pair sealed off the competition with a show of their own, gracefully covering the expanse of the dance floor, gliding like ice skaters. Zimny and Iben also showcased their talents as experienced dancers with the provocative Argentine Tango.

The competition, which initially may have cost a dollar, was decidedly free.

"We wanted to make it so easy for kids that they couldn't say no," Iben said.

It was a fairly inexpensive affair, one of the only costs being the first through third place ribbons.

Wendy Jackson, a student in the paramedics program, says she took the class as a P.E. elective.

"I had fun. I was a little nervous at first," she said.

Men are in short supply in the class, which means some female students, like Jackson, have to dance the man's part as leaders.

"They told us at the beginning of the class that we could either drop it or be leaders," Jackson says.

Because of the lack of leaders, Iben encourages men to join the class. "This is a place where men can be appreciated. Women like men who dance," Iben says.

Jackson adds, "I'd rather follow because it's less challenging for the girl because the guys have to think and plan choreography."

Zimny endorses the class for life-experience reasons. "There're lots of places to go dance in town. [Our students] could walk into any salsa club and be at home."

Iben adds, "A lot of people at weddings, when the music starts, just sit there. [These skills] are great for weddings."

Social Dance 340 is offered at five different times for the spring semester, including one at the Natomas location.