The Hindu Cultural Society's "Spring Charity Garba" featured four hours of Indian dancing and cultural celebration on Friday at the Reitz Union Rion Ballroom.
About 100 guests stopped by to dance the garba, a rhythmic dance that gradually increases in speed; the raas, a fast-paced dance in which dancers tap dandiya sticks; and the bhangra, an energetic, freestyle dance, said Krishna Dipnarine, a health science senior and the Hindu Cultural Society's president.
Guests also collected nonperishable food donations for Bhutanese refugees. The donations filled two 35-gallon tubs.
Dipnarine said the club organized the event after hosting a similar garba dance in the fall.
"The dances are from different parts of India, and it just shows the cultural experience," Dipnarine said. "Our goal is to have a diverse range of people, which is why we did it on GatorNights, so we get kind of a little bit of everyone, not just Indians."
Jose Alzate, an engineering junior, said the society's events help him learn about and experience new cultures. He borrowed a kurta, a traditional Indian male garment, from Dipnarine, and some girls at the dance wore saris.
Alzate said he is also looking forward to the upcoming Holi event, which he described as being similar to a water balloon fight. Participants throw brightly colored powders to symbolize the coming of spring.
Dipnarine said UF's Holi celebration would be either March 20 or 21.
