Let’s CU Swing: Swing Dance Club Returns to Campus

By Autumn Johnson

A not-yet-official new club has students swing dancing on Monday nights on the Holthus Plaza. The group, called Let’s CU Swing, dances several swing styles and welcomes everyone.

Several students came up with the idea to start a swing dancing club on campus, but not for the first time. In previous years, students regularly participated in swing dancing.

“(There was swing dancing) my freshman year, and it wasn’t an official club that year either. It’s not an official club right now. It’s going to be,” junior Kailey Bales, the current co-president of the club, said.

Swing dancing is a form of partner dancing that originates from the swing era in America, which involved jazz and big bands. It is based on a pattern and features lifts and aerials.

Some swing steps include basic step, pretzel, and pendulum. Styles include country style and East Coast style swing.

Freshman Olivia Kruse came up with the club’s name, Let’s CU Swing, which is a pun that uses Concordia’s abbreviation in place of the words “see you.” The leadership team and frequent dancers mainly practice country style and basic step. Anyone is invited to join the club, and no experience is necessary. Newcomers are taught each week.

Let’s CU Swing takes place on Monday nights from 9:30 to 11 p.m. on the  plaza or from 9:30-10:30 p.m. in a dormitory lounge if it is necessary to be inside.

Students enjoy and participate in swing dancing for many reasons.

“I lived in Texas for seven years, and dancing was a big part of my life, so I enjoy it because it’s a lot of fun, and it makes me extremely excited about Mondays,” freshman Bar-lee Klein said.

The leadership team is starting the process of becoming an official club at Concordia. They hope to be approved by the next budget season.