Swing craze dances its way across campus

Swing dancing's appeal never dwindled for experts of the dance community, but for most people, the resurgence is relatively recent. With the release of movies such as "Swing Kids" and "Swingers," plus The Gap commercials featuring twirling khaki-clad teenagers, swing dancing is quickly becoming a trend of epic proportions.

Though swing dancing originated in Harlem, Ann Arbor is far from having a shortage of dance venues. Clubs, bars and restaurants have well-attended swing nights, dance studios offer swing lessons, and there are several UMove and UAC swing classes on campus.

ANDI MAIO/Daily Elizabeth Iqa and Brian Maci swing dance at the Michigan Union last month.

Everyone's seen at least a little swing dancing, whether in the movies or at a club, but not everyone knows swing specifics and what it's all about.

The three most popular swing styles in Southeastern Michigan are East Coast Swing, West Coast Swing, and Lindy Hop, according to swing instructors Louise Tamres and Susan Filipiak of Swing City Dance Studio.

East Coast Swing is done to six counts of music and is the easiest to learn, said second year law student Carey Bohjanen, a swing instructor at the CCRB.

"East Coast prevails at many social venues and ballroom dances," said Tamres and Filipiak in an e-mail interview. "More people dance East Coast Swing in our part of the country."

Tamres and Filipia say West Coast Swing is "a slower, more sensual style of swing, emphasizing body rhythm." It is more popular in the world of Country-Western and is also suitable for slower R & B music.

The Lindy Hop is a fast-paced eight -count swing. Jon Favreau and Heather Graham are lindy hopping in "Swingers," as are the khaki kids in The Gap commercial.

"Not as many people do Lindy Hop," Sandy Hubar of Swing Dance Jam, a local weekly dance event, said. "It's what people want to learn now."

And there are always the mixtures ... the Jitterbug is the result of blending East Coast Swing and Lindy Hop, and most dancers can alternate between East and West Coast Swing within the same piece of music.

"Show me the flips" is the ruling sentiment in many swing dancing hopefuls' minds, but veteran dancers are quick to warn against the trademark jumps seen on TV.

"Social swing dancing does not have flips or tricks," stressed Tamres and Filipiak. "If you were caught flipping your partner at a dance club, you'd be asked to leave."

"We see a lot of people wanting to do jumps," said Hubar. "They think it's what swing dancing is all about. It's dangerous, and you can hurt someone else by accident ... that is not the essence of the dance."

So what is it all about then?

"The music is always upbeat, and it's especially great when you and your partner are really connecting," LSA first-year student Jeff Herman said.

"All types of people mix together: different ages, socio-economic backgrounds, physical ability, races - and everyone's there to share in the love of dancing," said Tamres.

Though swing dancing is highly popular right now, its trend status leaves many to wonder if it will stick around for a long time to come or depart from public favor as quickly as the New Kids on the Block. The opinion varies from instructor to instructor.

"I think it will stay big for at least another handful of years," Bohjanen said. "It's a lot cooler than ballroom dancing."

Filipiak agreed, but Tamres thought the trend would be more short-lived.

"The mainstream phenomenon will fade," she said. "However, there will always be die-hard dancers who need their swing fix."

For students interested in swing dancing, there are a variety of options available on and around campus. There are a multitude of locations where already-experienced swingers can exhibit their moves, as well as many places where newcomers can learn.

The Blind Pig on South First Street offers swing lessons on Sundays from 7:30 to 9 p.m., followed by open swing dancing until midnight. The Habitat Lounge in Weber's Inn, which is a seven to10 minute drive from campus, has Swank Night Mondays featuring '50s and '60s tunes and era-inspired clothing. The Heidelberg, on North Main Street, has open dancing from 7 to 9:30 p.m. on Sundays with live swing music from the II-V-I Orchestra. At Swing Dance Jam, located at Gretchen's House on Traver Road, dancers swap swing moves on Tuesdays from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Swing City Dance Studio offers swing lessons on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. There are also swing classes being offered through UMove at the CCRB and through UAC at the Union next term.

Full information on these venues and others can be found on a master list entitled "Swing Dancing In and Around Ann Arbor," which can be picked up at Swing City Dance Studio and around campus.

Swing dancing may or may not be a fleeting phase, but either way students are enjoying it while it lasts.

"I swing dance whenever it's offered," said Engineering freshman Matt Milas. "It's lots of fun ... you get to do a lot of cool moves, show off, wear cool clothes." He added with a smile, "There are usually more girls than guys, so it's a good place to meet girls too."

The Union is the sight for several kinds of swing dance lessons.

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