Men and women, not at all shy, meet for the very first time and dance together as if they’ve known each other for years. Costumes ranging from a fake, plastic nose and moustache to bunny ears litter the dance floor. While others decided to take a classier approach with spiffy zoot suits and sexy dresses. Just for one night, all normal social inhibitions seemed to disappear. Even members of this newspaper staff were plucked off the wall and away from their journalism duties and forced to dance for a minute or two.

The Moorpark College Swing Dance Club, led by Denise Gibson, hosted a Winterland Masquerade Ball on Saturday, Jan. 28. Dancers, young and old, from all over Moorpark and other cities attended.

“I love to swing dance,” said Marisa Cirillo, 23, and graduate from UCLA. “This is the place to dance.”

Even people who are not studying dance as a major made an appearance and enjoyed themselves.

“I kind of like the era of swing,” is that the quote he said? It doesn’t make sense to mesaid John Lodge, 20, and drafting major at Moorpark College. “I’m taking a few classes for swing.”

The night featured a Jack and Jill contest where dancers register and are randomly paired with a partner to be judged. The first place winners were Scott Russell, 23, from Santa Rosa Junior College and Alise Montanio, 20, from Moorpark College.

“My dad used to teach dance. It’s been a part of our family for a long time,” said Montanio. “I hope to pursue it as long as possible. Hopefully as a career.”

After the contest, Heather Martin, 17, from La Reina High School performed a belly dance exhibition.

All the money raised at the Winterland Masquerade Ball will be used to help boost the MC Swing Dance Club. The money will help pay for scholarships for different dancers and various workshops. They even plan to form a swing team that will travel around the country to compete.

“Everything in the swing world is kind of expensive so this will help pay for that,” said Jaime Oliver, 21, vice-president of the MC Swing Dance Club and MC.

The MC Swing Dance Club is always looking for new members.

“The best way to join the club is to join the Friday night class,” said Bella Viramontes, 24, secretary of the MC Swing Dance Club and CSUN student. “If you’ve never danced before, this is the best way to get to know the basics.”

For more information about the MC Swing Dance Club, visit www.denisegibson.com.