Once upon a time...

TPS kicks off semester with dance fit for kings, queens and everyone in between

MADISON, Wis. – UW students will be presented with a unique opportunity to revisit their youth while dancing up a storm with a fairy tale-themed extravaganza, Friday, February 16, at 10 p.m., at the Great Hall of the Memorial Union.

The "Once Upon a Time" dance, hosted by the Ten Percent Society (TPS), will feature a costume contest with prizes for the most sensational fairy tale attire in addition to the inclusive and upbeat atmosphere for which TPS dances have become well known.

"We're all really looking forward to starting off the semester with some fun before we all get bogged down with finals, papers and projects," said TPS co-president Abby Churchill. "Fairy tales hold a special place in everyone's heart and it's something that we can all relate to – it brings us together as a community."

Friday's dance marks the fifth of seven TPS events held during the 2006-07 school year. Previous dances have served as fundraisers for a variety of student and community groups, such as October's Masquerade Ball benefiting Fair Wisconsin and December's dance and drag show held in association with World AIDS Day. Thanks to near-record attendance figures, TPS raised $600 for African Youth Outreach, a Madison organization that funds medical care for AIDS-infected orphans in Africa.

"Although the dances are first and foremost a fun night out for students, we've also taken steps in the past year to support and raise awareness of organizations working toward a safer and more inclusive campus for all to enjoy," said Churchill. "The dances provide a much-needed public space, not just for the area's LGBT community, but also, maybe more importantly, their friends and supporters."

Admission to the "Once Upon a Time" dance is $5 with a current UW ID card. A cash bar is also available for those who are of age.

TPS was originally founded in 1983 upon passage of Wisconsin's gay rights legislation. The UW-registered student organization, one of few on campus that receives no funding from student segregated fees, aims to provide educational, social and cultural opportunities for students, faculty and staff, guard against university-sponsored discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and to work toward a homophobia-free campus.