You know that guy that sits next to you in Orgo? Yeah, that guy … sort of quiet, a little shifty, always doing that annoying twirly thing with his pencil? On the surface, he may seem to be your average Joe. In fact, that's his name, Joe. Bet you didn't know that. Nevertheless, just by looking at him you'd never guess that Joe is an incredible dancer. We're not talking the drunken grinding and semi-spastic jerking that defines "dancing" at most student parties. Joe can do the Foxtrot, Charleston and the Lindy with the grace of Gene Kelly. But where might this mild mannered gentleman learn such a wonderful skill you ask? The Notre Dame Swing Club, of course.

Surprised? Well, why should you be? After all, someone has to belong to the 39 Special Interest Clubs that are officially registered with the University. There are even more if you count the groups that meet without being officially recognized. Never heard of these groups? Not to fear, today the Observer takes a look at just a few of the eclectic Special Interest Club offerings:

The University of Notre Dame Humor Artists

HA! No, they're not laughing at you … no, wait, they are. They're HA!, the Notre Dame Humor Artists. About 20 students meet twice a week in the Hesburgh Library auditorium to compose skits and practice improv games for the three comedy shows that they perform every year.

"Well, we all can't take ourselves too seriously, now can we?" asks HA! Club Co-president Tony Bondi. "Somebody's got to keep things interesting around here."

"Actually, I just have nothing better to do with my time." says Mike Boreale a veteran of HA!

All joking aside (of course, joking is never too far away at a HA! Meeting), the HA! Club is working hard to produce their latest and greatest show which will premiere the weekend of March the 3rd. Later this semester they are planning to produce a full-length evening murder mystery show that reportedly lampoons, well, everything.

HA! Meetings are held on Thursdays from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. and again on Sunday afternoons from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Anybody with a sense of humor is invited to take part in the laughter.

The Notre Dame Swing Club

When you hear big band music, do your feet start tapping uncontrollably? The Notre Dame Swing Club members' do too and so they did something about it. In August of 1998, the fledgling six initial members founded the Notre Dame Swing Club. "We really loved to dance and wanted to find others who shared our interest in swing dancing," says club president Angie Bauer.

By activities night of their first year, the Swing Club had signed up 600 interested dancers! There really is no membership in the Swing Club. Rather, the club gives $1 lessons on Monday nights from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. every week in room 301 of the Rock. Regulars estimated that about 15 couples are present per lesson.

In fact, tonight is the beginning lesson of the Lindy Hop, another cleverly disguised name for the Jitterbug. On the 19th, there will be a free open dance at LaFortune. You'll want to get in early this semester so you can start going to the off-campus excursions the Swing Club has planned.

Molly's Club

By far the most interesting Notre Dame club is known only as "Molly's Club," a title which allegedly refers to Badin Hall resident Molly McShane.

While the specifics of what Molly's Club actually does are shrouded in mystery, e-mails obtained by the Observer reveal its highly organized, bureaucratic structure. The group is known for its paramilliteristic bent, dressing their members in uniforms and having an extensive secret code, accompanied by the use of symbolic language.

The queenpin, Ms. McShane, refused all attempts by the Observer for an interview; however, we were able to speak with one of the initiate Molly's Club underlings. He/she would only speak with us on conditions of anonymity and only identified him/herself as "Freshmeat." He/she said, "I can't tell you much, but I can tell you this: Molly's Club is big … really big. I shouldn't even be doing this. The first rule of Molly's Club is: Don't talk about Molly's Club."

Although not officially recognized by the University, Molly's Club is rumored to be lobbying for funding. In fact, two names on the ticket for student body president are reputed Molly's Club members, while a third has strong ties to the organization. Molly's Club would neither confirm nor deny the allegation.

If you wish to join Molly's Club, don't bother trying to call them. They'll call you.

Whether your secret passion is juggling, figure skating or playing the Bagpipes, Notre Dame probably has a club that fits your interests. If they don't, you can make one. Just stop by the Student Activities Office and file for club status.

Luckily, life at Notre Dame is much more complete than your understanding of your Orgo book. Underneath the layers of normalcy lie people who are into the same cool stuff you are. Who knows? Maybe if you're nice, Joe will take you out dancing. Now, if he'd just stop spinning that darn pencil.

• Clubs bring our the students' special interests