Swing dancing is a style of dance formed by jazz music with a swing style. This style of dance originated in the 1920’s-1940’s and continues to be a common form of dance for all ages. Even high school students enjoy this traditional form of dance.

Sophomore Ally Shelton recently went to a swing dancing event at the Vintage Theater. The Vintage Theater holds many different events, including swing dancing. The Vintage Theater is located in Winston Salem.

“I went because my friend invited me and it sounded like it would be a lot of fun because I like to dance and I also love meeting new people,” Shelton said.

Shelton described the event as a very fun and enjoyable time with people of all ages in attendance. The ages ranged from as young as 10 to the elderly. This made the event even more enjoyable for Shelton by seeing the enthusiasm everyone had who was there. The event was set up in a way that 30 minutes before, a lesson was held to teach all of the dances that would be done during the time they were there. After the lesson was when all of the real dancing started.

“I did swing dancing in college and it was one of the most fun things I ever did,” dance teacher Caitie Reece said. “It is really nerdy but so fun and and enjoyable. I’m actually pretty good at it.”

With swing dancing, the instructor calls one of the many dances that have been taught and then the dance is done with the music that is being played.  

“It was really easy to learn all the dances during the lesson and when we got to do them for real it was so fun,” freshman Maddie McGlocklin said.

The dancing was led by an instructor and had a live band playing all of the music to dance to.

“The environment of the event was very laid back and that made it really easy to enjoy because there was no pressure of messing up,” Shelton said.

In Winston Salem there is a society called ‘The Piedmont Swing Dance Society’ which coordinates swing dancing events. They have multiple locations in which you can go swing dancing and host events on many days. This makes it a good way for people to be involved in this opportunity of traditional dance.

“I went to my first swing dancing event last year and I have continued to go back,” Shelton said. “I enjoy the dancing so much.”

Photo from Piedmont Swing Dance Society