Swing the night away
By: Laura Hancock
Issue date: 9/26/07 Section: Campus Life
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Ever heard of the rock-step, the she-goes he-goes, or the American spin? Probably not since it is the dance moves performed by Lindy Hoppers. It seems as if these dancers have their own secret language with all of their special moves and spins.
The Lindy Hop is a type of swing dance which is danced by California State University, Stanislaus' swing club.
The swing club was started about five years ago by CSU Stanislaus' classroom technician, Kelly Lautt. "The swing club is not only about formal lessons for new people but about teaching each other how to dance."
The Lindy Hop was one of the first swing dances after the Charleston.
"Around the time the lindy Hop was created Charles Lindberg took his trip across the Atlantic. The name just stuck."
Different swing events around the area also strike the swing clubs attention and participation. Former swing club president Christine Benapfl said, "Usually the club goes on one or two trips a semester and I've gone on a total of three. They are so much fun and I would really like to go on more."
Lautt said, "We used to go to clubs in San Francisco but lately we have been going to this Sacramento swing group which was originally started by the YWCA."
"It is live dance once a month on Friday nights. We sometimes carpool there together."
The swing club is also a great way to meet new people. "We had an instance where a couple met here, got married and had a child. They even had a swing wedding," says Lautt.
Many people come back to dance week after week because they find it so enjoyable. Benapfl is one of these people.
"Dancing is a fantastic way to have fun. I've always loved music and wished I could know some real dance steps. Swing appealed to me because I played in a jazz band and loved the music, so finding a way to dance to it was great to me," said Benapfl.
One of the members favorite things about the swing club is how they help one another.
Lautt said, "This is a non-competitive group. No one tries to show off and we all help each other become better dancers."
The swing club welcomes all newcomers. They meet every Wednesday in the main dining hall at 7:30 pm. No partner is necessary.
The Lindy Hop is a type of swing dance which is danced by California State University, Stanislaus' swing club.
The swing club was started about five years ago by CSU Stanislaus' classroom technician, Kelly Lautt. "The swing club is not only about formal lessons for new people but about teaching each other how to dance."
The Lindy Hop was one of the first swing dances after the Charleston.
"Around the time the lindy Hop was created Charles Lindberg took his trip across the Atlantic. The name just stuck."
Different swing events around the area also strike the swing clubs attention and participation. Former swing club president Christine Benapfl said, "Usually the club goes on one or two trips a semester and I've gone on a total of three. They are so much fun and I would really like to go on more."
Lautt said, "We used to go to clubs in San Francisco but lately we have been going to this Sacramento swing group which was originally started by the YWCA."
"It is live dance once a month on Friday nights. We sometimes carpool there together."
The swing club is also a great way to meet new people. "We had an instance where a couple met here, got married and had a child. They even had a swing wedding," says Lautt.
Many people come back to dance week after week because they find it so enjoyable. Benapfl is one of these people.
"Dancing is a fantastic way to have fun. I've always loved music and wished I could know some real dance steps. Swing appealed to me because I played in a jazz band and loved the music, so finding a way to dance to it was great to me," said Benapfl.
One of the members favorite things about the swing club is how they help one another.
Lautt said, "This is a non-competitive group. No one tries to show off and we all help each other become better dancers."
The swing club welcomes all newcomers. They meet every Wednesday in the main dining hall at 7:30 pm. No partner is necessary.
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