Backed by technicolor lights and the sound of classics like “Pump It” by the Black Eyed Peas, community members packed into a large tent on Norris University Center’s Cohen Lawn on Friday night, jumping shoulder to shoulder to kick off the annual Northwestern University Dance Marathon.
Less than an hour into the event, stormy conditions forced NUDM to relocate to Norris’ Louis Room. By sunrise Saturday, participants had moved back to the tent and worked through weariness and lack of sleep to dance their way to the 15-hour mark.
After being hosted at Welsh-Ryan Arena for two years due to construction at Norris, the 52nd NUDM returned to its original location, continuing a tradition of music, dance and charity by raising $218,774 for the Bear Necessities Pediatric Cancer Foundation and the Evanston Community Foundation.
Emceed by Weinberg senior Talia Squarer and Medill senior Tobias Khabie, the evening was interspersed with performances from student groups like Thunk A Cappella and Purple Haze, and games like Four Corners.
For students like McCormick first-year Cerys Hudson, who said NUDM was one of the reasons she applied to NU, the event was a way to have fun with friends despite their busy schedules.
“I was like, guys, it’s (the) first week of NU,” Hudson said. “We need to dance. We need to have fun for our last quarter of freshman year. And everyone showed up.”
For others, NUDM serves as both a celebration and a pathway into campus involvement.
Weinberg first-year and NUDM member Nyah Adiedo was drawn to the organization for its scale and its charity work.
“I did a similar club in high school which was focused on cancer research, and I thought that this would be a good way for me to get involved,” Adiedo said. “It’s such a big community, and it gave me the chance to know people in all levels of the school.”
Behind the scenes, NUDM leaders followed a six-page, minute-by-minute schedule that accounted for every performance and transition throughout the 15-hour period.
Even through weather challenges, entertainment, food and hydration remained top priorities — the event featured matzo balls for those observing Passover.
“I come to Dance Marathon usually not packing much because there’s so much food,” Weinberg senior and NUDM Student Director Sophie Perel said. “We emphasize that we want to leave people fed.”
Perel said she and other organizers had to stay flexible and quickly move all students to maintain flow and ensure participant safety.
For student leaders like Perel, NUDM is both a community bonding experience and a “NU staple.”
“Very sad to be leaving it, but (it’s) something an NU student should try at least once in their life” Perel said.
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