Stevenson University’s RISE club will host its first Girls’ Choice Dance on Nov. 19.The dance will be held in the Rockland Banquet Hall from 9 p.m.-midnight.
A Girls’ Choice Dance, like a classic Sadie Hawkins Dance, allows students on campus, especially women, “to disrupt the stereotypical gender roles by asking someone out for a date to the dance,” according to Dr. Ingrid Tulloch, assistant professor of psychology, and a co-advisor for the RISE (Reach-out, Inspire, Strengthen, Empower) club at Stevenson University.
RISE began as a movement during the fall of 2014 and became an official club in 2016. The club strives to provide a community that embodies issues facing all women today. RISE sponsors several community service activities on campus, such as self-defense classes, a diversity and inclusion speaker series and currently the Girl’s Choice dance.
Women are encouraged to ask someone to attend with them, regardless of gender. Any Stevenson University female student, including transgender females, can invite a guest to attend with them. Non-Stevenson guests must have a state ID along with a ticket to enter the site. Faculty and staff are encouraged to attend the dance as well.
“RISE wanted to offer an event that would be fun for students before Thanksgiving break,” said Tulloch. The Girls’ Choice Dance tickets, which are available now and until the event on Nov. 19, can be purchased at The Rock in the Rockland Center on the Owings Mills campus. Each ticket is $2 and attendees can bring their own mask, purchase a mask for $1 with a ticket or buy one at the event.
The dance will also include a cook-off with a $3 fee to enter. Attendees of the dance will be able to taste the food cooked by the contestants, and a prize will be awarded to the winning dish. The event is open to faculty, staff and students and food such as Swedish meatballs, empanadas and wings will be included.
Stevenson’s Mark Moody will provide music for the dance, with a variety of music to suit the occasion. The dress code is semi-formal with a mask. Jeans and sweatpants are not allowed.
For more information on RISE or the Girls’ Choice Dance, contact the vice president of RISE, Dahlia Duncan, through campus email. Students may like the Facebook page of Stevenson University RISE for further information.
