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Love and dancing: UAB students find romance on the dance floor

Posted on Aug 23, 2010 in Features

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Features Editor
features@insideuab.com

“Dirty Dancing.” “Step Up.” “Grease.” Brooks Macbeth and Alexa Duchock.

What do all these things have in common? Love and dancing, that’s what.

UAB senior Alexa Duchock and junior Brooks Macbeth kicked off their year-long romance through a mutual love of dancing with the Vulcan Performers dance group.

The Vulcan Performers, Birmingham’s hottest dance group featuring local dancers ages 18-35 showing their skills in styles such as ballroom, hip hop, jazz, tap and ballet, had humble beginnings in a basement in Hoover, at the home of founders TJ and Wendy Zito.

Eventually the group expanded to the point that they acquired their own studio, Rhythm N Motion, where they hold dance classes regularly and sponsor events and shows, such as the upcoming “Revamped” show, taking place on Saturday, August 28, at Embassy Suites in Hoover.

Alexa, a senior Education major and former Blazerette, first joined the Vulcan Performers in the spring of 2009.

Brooks, a junior computer science major, joined a few weeks later after being introduced to the group by his former roommate at Birmingham Southern college.

The two were often paired together as a dance couple because of their “cuteness” factor.

It was after an event called “Rock the Runway” in the spring of 2009 that it was evident that the two had a certain something about them.

“They just looked cute together and their personalities matched so well,” TJ Zito said. “Brooks was what we referred to as ‘adorkable,’ and they just seemed to work.”

Although dating within the group is discouraged, Alexa and Brooks’ relationship worked so well that the rule could be flexible.

They are even referred to as “Broolexa,” coined by Wendy Zito.

“Broolexa was originally a slip of the tongue, and it stuck,” Wendy said.

The couple celebrated their one-year anniversary on Saturday, August 21.

Alexa’s background as a Blazerette and Brooks’ background as a gymnast have helped them as a couple on the floor to perform their favorite styles, such as tango and West Coast swing.

“Being a dance couple and a dating couple has its challenges,” said Alexa. “It is definitely not a classic movie script or ‘Dirty Dancing’. We try to balance with plenty of non-dance activities like the movies, the park, or getting Brooks away from video games.”

Brooks and Alexa will light up the dance floor again at the “Revamped” event, which starts at 7 p.m. The event will include an arts show, which is currently open for submissions, and free New York style hustle lessons at 6 p.m., with a social dance party to follow, and a late party at Club Aqua in Southside.

The group will expand after the show and will hold auditions for dancers in September.

For more information on the Vulcan Performers, as well as info on classes, how to get tickets to “Revamped,” and how to participate in the art show, visit www.bhamdance.com.




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