Students get into the swing of things

Laughter and poetic motion filled Magnolia Ballroom this past Monday night, as students from all walks of campus life came out of their shells to rock, sway, flip and turn at GCSU’s popular Swing Association. The program is free for any currently-enrolled GCSU student and so far the turnout has been great, except for one thing.

“We’ve never had too many guys,” said Desiree Marney, the group’s president of two years.

While everyone who attended had the opportunity to dance, the male to female ratio was skewed, leaving the club extra-welcoming to guys who wanted to try their hand, or feet rather, at this upbeat, aerobic art.

However, trying something new can be intimidating to beginners. GCSU Swing Association creates a creatively comforting and nonthreatening environment. Apart from Marney, there are several instructors walking the floor and demonstrating on stage. This free-range system of teaching ensures that all students, regardless of ability are given equal attention – from the spinner in the spotlight to the shy couple in the back of the room. Despite the high turnout, the association makes sure that those seeking assistance find it.

Walk-ins are always welcome. Marney guides everyone through many levels of dance, from simple steps and turns to daring lifts. Marney expressed a desire for “an injury free year,” which, for anyone who has witnessed a dancer being tossed and twirled overhead, is a perfectly reasonable, yet ambitious goal. Hands-on assistance and supervision is strongly advised, and always available, for new dancers trying aerial techniques. The sessions are generally comprised of about an hour and a half of instruction, culminating with a period of free dance.

Everyone had a different reason for coming out Monday night. The Swing Association drew seasoned dancers such as Elvis Ramirez, a freshman from the Dominican Republic.

“I already had a background in Salsa, but I wanted to expand my knowledge of other kinds of dance,” Ramirez said.

On the other side of the dance floor, the event drew a large number of new dancers such as Samantha Castagna.

“Half the fun is just meeting new people and getting out there,” Castagna said.

So, no matter what your ability or motive, Swing dancing offers a free opportunity to broaden cultural horizons, get some exercise, meet new people and shake – or swing – a tail feather.

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Sep 4 2009. Filed under Features. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry