It don't mean a thing of it ain't got that swing

It all started seven years ago, the summer after freshman year. My best friend, Carlie, came back from Ricks with a gift: Lindy Swing. Intent on teaching me this glorious dance form, Carlie and I went out dancing 2 to 3 nights every week that summer. She pushed me into the arms of the best dancers despite my inability (and for that matter, the hesitation of the guys who had my left feet forced upon them)until eventually I picked it up. After two months of frustrated learning, I became good at it. I became hooked. Oh, how I LuHUVed it!

Lindy is not like other social dance forms. It is much more difficult to be good at. You won't be good after a lesson or even after a month or two of casual social dancing. It takes endurance and persistence until you develop a second nature with your feet. But once this happens, you are transported to a euphoric place. I don't know what feeling compares to the ecstasy of executing a brilliantly creative move or reading your lead so accurately that the most spontaneous and difficult footwork is unveiled on the floor as though previously choreographed. It is genius.

But the thing with swing dancing is that it attracts some very odd personalities- some personalities that are down right creepy! I have names for each of them:

• Trench-coat Teo. Teo is mostly expressionless and hard pressed to make eye contact other than occasion shifty glances. His hair is usually longer and unkempt. He may be thick but is usually thin and pale-skinned. Lastly, his attire almost always includes a trench coat. As a dancer, Teo knows some intermediate skills and won't bore you with repetitive Lindy circles. But his lead is a little weak and not deliberate enough to inspire a confident follow.


• Roley-poley Ronny. I love a dance with Ronny. He's surprisingly light on his feet! Best of all, Ronny is sooo happy. By the way he smiles, you would think you just made his night by dancing with him. He always has a handkerchief hanging out of his back pocket (to manage his sweaty face) and usually dresses in black t-shirts and canvas pants. Although unable to dance the high speed LA style numbers, Ronny is a very creative dancer and has a strong lead.


• Snobby Sayer. Think twice before you ask him for a dance. He'll take you to the floor and out dance you... on purpose. Failing to follow a lead is a signal to him to do that variation over and over again until you feel like you're not even a competent pedestrian. Sayer's focus is on Sayer. Make Sayer look good. Sayer only wants to dance with the girls that hang out by the DJ and have been dancing for years. He is the epitome of a Lindy Snob.


• Youthful Yanni. Yanni is like the pre-teen at the pool: overconfident with the mature ladies of shape. Unbeknownst to him, his baby-face and smooth skin give him away. But you can't refuse him. He's just so anxious to dance with you and he's sure that you're having the time of your life dancing with him. So it's a win win, right? His skills are not quite advanced but definately aspiring that way. Yanni is a fun dance.


• Geriatric George. Okay, this guy used to gross me out. Why would I want to dance with a 70+ year-old man? But then why would I want to dance with Teo? George isn't quite as limber and energetic as other dancers but he knows the footwork and has a solid lead. He comes by himself and keeps to himself, is very polite, and never "tries anything" on you. More importantly, he communicates that it is a pleasure to dance with you.


• Average Aaron. He is the best dance of all. There is nothing repulsive about him. *Sniff sniff* Mmmm, he even smells good. He isn't the best dancer but he is fun to dance with. You can even imagine yourself being attracted to him (which almost never happens at a swing dance). Aaron is the dancer that is most like you but he's a minority and hard to find.

Although these personalities sound like a turn-off to swing dancing, they are a reason why I love it. In what other setting would I get to know and become friends with these types? Knowing them adds depth and dimension to my pool of friends and I like that.

So the point is if you want to get into swing dance, this is what you're in for. You probably won't enjoy it your first few times around. The subculture of swing dancing (Lindy in particular) has a specific jargon and code-of-conduct. But it is all so worth it. I am forever grateful to Carlie for forcing swing dancing upon me. If it weren't for swing dancing, I would be minus some of the coolest experiences I've had in my life (i.e. Mustang Bar, Perth, Australia... phenomenal)! So, SWING IT!