Jazzy music poured into the hallway, filling the space with smooth saxophone and lively trumpet. The open door reveals a group of EvCC students twirling across the room, sliding in close and snapping their fingers in time with the beat. This is just a regular Monday afternoon for the Swing Dance Club. With a membership of around 10, the club gives students the opportunity to practice east coast and west coast swing, understand the history of American dance, and to come together after a long day of classes and relax.

In the 1920s, the swing dance era swirled across America and influenced all generations of music that has come afterwards.  This constantly evolving dance is simply a variety of partner dances. The history of the dance runs deep within the structure of the club as they fine-tune their abilities as dancers and enjoy the opportunity to learn and grow.

“We just dance and experiment with different moves,” explains Quincy Sander, Swing Dance Club Officer and EvCC student, “The great thing about swing dancing is that you do whatever feels right, as long as you don’t fall over yourself, you are doing it right.” They understand the creative process that takes place and allow an environment where experimentation is invited.

Before entering room 231 in the Student Fitness Building, Natasha Curd’s dance experience was limited to the energetic choreography that she practiced in her kitchen as she and her family washed the dishes. Curd, an EvCC student and newest club member, walked into the Swing Dance Club with expectations “to build up confidence.” She left giggling, already searching for people to join her in this new adventure of hers.

The Swing Dance Club was just created at the beginning of Fall Quarter 2014. The club had been around for years before then but it was disbanded. Now the club is going through rejuvenation or as Drew Larson, EvCC student and club member, explained, “It’s like bringing sexy back, it just needed to be brought back.”

One goal of the Swing Dance Club is reintegrating casual social dancing within communities, ultimately helping people overcome the fear of either asking or getting asked to dance. They can guide you to becoming comfortable with dancing and can show you different styles that will make the defining difference between a wallflower and cuttin’ a rug. Liandra Tipett, club member and EvCC student, made sure to explain that “once you get into the swing of things, it is really easy.”