UNC Mirror

Issue date: 4/18/08 Section: Entertainment

Media Credit: Jade DeGood Andrew Nixon, a junior history and anthropology major, dips Heather Fesenmeyer, a freshman musical theatre major. The Swing Dance Club meets Wednesdays and Sundays, providing both lessons and dancing time.

Interested students and members of the community seeking a new energy outlet have the opportunity to participate in the lively Swing Dance Club, which meets Wednesdays in the University Center food court and Sundays at Salvador Deli.

While the University of Northern Colorado Swing Dance Club has been around for five years, club President Kristen Phillips, a senior education major, said she still hopes to have more people engage in the nostalgic, vibrant dance that is swing.

"The best part of coming here is the social aspect," Phillips said. "This is such a diverse group, everyone here is so much fun.

At 7 p.m. on Wednesdays in the UC cafeteria, a group of about 30 people come to learn basic steps. On Sunday, the club moves the lessons to Salvador Deli, 800 Ninth St. The deli hosts lessons at 7 p.m. and open dancing from 8 to 10:30 p.m. This event includes mainly swing dancing with some blues dancing and costs $3 for the entire evening.

The lessons are taught in different groups based on skill level. The steps are derived from various types of swing, including the Balboa, Charleston, Jitterbug and Shag. For those who have danced swing in the past and want to skip the lessons and jump right into the Lindy Hop fun, they can join the club from 8 to 10 p.m. for open dancing.

No partner or experience is needed to join the club, but participants can come and interact as a couple. The group consists of all different levels of dancers, from curious first-timers to seasoned experts like Phillips. Co-president Krystal Reusch, a senior secondary education major, helps beginning dancers feel more comfortable by giving slower-paced, simple lessons.

"Swing is great for beginners, because it's a really non-intimidating sport," Reusch said.

"My favorite dance here is the Lindy Hop," said Luke Dolan, a sophomore at Aims Community College. "It really brings you back to that big-band era when swing dancing was really popular."

The club recently turned a typical Wednesday meeting into a party, celebrating a fellow dancer's birthday with signs, streamers, drinks, food and a ceremonial birthday swing dance. The dance music varies from traditional swing pieces to more modern beats like the '80s dance-era hit "Tainted Love."

"We'll find any excuse to dance," Phillips said.

For more information, contact Kristen Phillips at (970) 350-0933 or attend either of the two UNC Swing Club event nights.

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