Jacket Jam Offered As a Fun Way to Exercise on Campus

Editor’s Note: After the print publishing of this article, the Cheer and Dance club has added another weekly Jacket Jam session to Thursday evenings as well.

UW-Superior’s Cheer and Dance club has a new event running every Monday night. Jacket Jam is a weekly dance class that anyone on campus can attend and learn some fun dances to different songs. It makes for a fun way to exercise, meet new people, and take a break from other responsibilities.

Every Monday, the Cheer and Dance club student coach Ally Cook picks out a song to choreograph for that evening’s jam. Cook takes requests from the attendees; next week, the class will be dancing to a Sabrina Carpenter tune.

A normal Monday night for Jacket Jam starts with a club meeting for the Cheer and Dance group, followed by any other attendees arriving at 6 p.m. The class starts with a few minutes of stretching with music playing in the background, and then Cook leads the class in learning that week’s dance to the chosen song. Cook makes sure to have beginner and advanced dance moves to make the routines as inclusive as possible.

“I give everyone lots of water breaks, mostly because I need lots of water breaks, too,” said Cook. She uses the water breaks as an opportunity to go around the class and check on everyone. From beginners to more advanced dancers, the goal is for everyone to have a good time. By the end of the class at 7 p.m., the goal is for everyone to know the dance and have a fun workout.

If you haven’t danced before, don’t be scared! The class caters to all skill levels, and Cook said that while it can feel intimidating, everyone is welcome to come and dance. Jacket Jam is every Monday through the end of the semester, with the last class taking place on Dec. 16. The dance class will be held in the spring semester as well.

Jacket Jam is held at 6 p.m. in the Dance Studio in the Marcovich Wellness Center. Students, staff, and faculty are all welcome, and online students are encouraged to reach out to the Cheer and Dance club if they are interested in participating virtually.