Eight years ago, when we were freshmen living on the third floor of Hume Honors West, my friend Marianna got an email from a student organization at the University of Florida. She told me she wasn't really interested in what they were offering but thought I might enjoy it: swing dancing. Faintly terrified, I ventured to the Reitz Union Colonnade and met some of the best friends of my college years.
One of my first nights of swing dancing.
Pedro, Ashley, Bob, Allyn, Kim, Michael, Mike, Jeaux & Co.
The 1920s at Stompin' at the Swamp 2008: Leaping Through Time
Jim F., Kristine, Jim M., Micah, Mika, Patrick, Rainey, Andrew, Bonnie & Rett
Before I begin in earnest, though, notable people missing from this post (except maybe in those big group shots above) include: Bob, Ashley, Andrea, Pedro, Jeaux, Craig, Jenny, Miranda, Stewart, Suzy, Ilana, Greg, Paula, Shelby, Paul, Jim S., Jim F., Tim N., Sheila, Kurtis, Matt K., Grace, Kyle, DJ Natch and a fair few more. It doesn't mean I don't love you so here's your shout-out, right at the beginning.
In celebration of eight years of kicking up my heels, here are eight of my favorite swing dancing memories, in no particular order and acknowledging that my swing dance experience goes so far beyond these eight events/people/dances that I could not express the entirety of it to you.
(Be sure to check the photo captions for extras!)
This Guy
The last time I saw Michael...
Eight years ago today, I met Michael at my first Florida Swing Dancing Club lesson at the University of Florida. He was wearing black dress pants, a pale pink polo shirt, and shiny black dress shoes (even though we were dancing on concrete). In that first dance lesson, we became friends and for long afterward still remembered the combination we learned. (I don't know if he's since forgotten it, but part of it still lives in the back of my brain.) For two years, we danced together, referring to our partnership alternately as a "dance marriage" and a "darriage" until we were "dance-vorced" out of necessity when he left town. We learned together, taught together, laughed a lot, had serious conversations about non-dance things, and continue as friends despite having last seen each other in person on February 14, 2007. Just can't quite turn that page . . .
This Gal
At DCLX 2011
It was Pittsburgh in the winter of 2009 when I met Julia at PittStop Lindy Hop. We were staying at the same house and would become fast friends in the matter of three days. We now have visited each other in our own towns, reunited in Florida and at two subsequent events in Pittsburgh. Our shared faith in Christ and enjoyment of swing dancing, reading, and classic Hollywood musicals have joined us inextricably. (Once, we even gave one another near-identical little books of advice from Jane Austen for Christmas. There was much laughter.) A number of times, we have also been mistaken as related, once rather bizarrely with our friend Jonathan at a church in Pittsburgh.
The Clothes/Costumes (and Shoes)
Being part of the swing dance community, particularly in college, gave me an excuse to indulge my secret enjoyment of costumes. I have far too many pictures to share here without making this post interminable, but here are a few of my favorites:
Halloween 2008 - winning the Jack & Jill with Ross
2007 Taxi Dance with Jake
Halloween 2007 with Weston
There were also fabulous clothes that leaned less toward costume. Here are some of those:
Kristine and her grandmother made these dresses from a vintage Vogue pattern.
South Florida Lindy Exchange 2008
(That fellow in the background is Matt, another dear friend.)
Wearing my favorite pants ever and dancing with Tim, one of my favorite guys ever.
Orlando Lindy Exchange 2010
Zendah Grotto
Being goofy, as usual, with Julie
Tampa, June 2010
These Lovely Ladies (and Gentleman)
Spring 2008 with (L to R) Betsy, Bonnie, Chris & Kristine
Dubbed the midget brigade (probably a moniker we gave ourselves), Betsy, Bonnie, Kristine and I ruled the Florida Swing Dancing club for a few years. Okay, there wasn't much ruling, though we all did serve as officers or instructors or both at one time or another. Chris, deceptively tall here because of his roller blades, was (is, I'm sure - or would be if we were all still together) one of our favorite dance partners and a dear friend. These folks brought so much joy into my life and, as you can see from the picture, laughter. Oh, and there were all of those impromptu, vaguely burlesque dance numbers to "Big Spender."
Our impending separation upped our affection.
L to R: Kristine, Micah, Bonnie, Betsy & Erin
(Erin is one of the best bakers I will ever know.)
This Dance
(Thanks for that, Jim. It was awesome. For those of you wondering, the tune is Keb' Mo's "Henry.")
Lindy Exchanges
My first lindy exchange: Soflex 2007
with Tracy, Alex, Elaine, Mika, and Tara
lindy exchange (n.) A pile of my best dance friends from all over, gathered in one place for the express purpose of dancing the night away.
with Glenn at PittStop 2009, an unexpected reunion
Quiet moments in between dances
with Mikel at Soflex 2008
Silly dance breaks: What's on the ceiling?
with Hurley at Soflex 2010
A moment captured during a steal dance.
There's something about the angles of our arms that I find fantastic in this shot.
with Patrick W. at Soflex 2010
Solo goofiness with Julie & Alex at DCLX 2011
This picture of me dancing Charleston at DCLX 2011
An afternoon with Kate & Julia, seeing Jane Eyre, and eating incredible cupcakes from Crumbs
post-DCLX 2011
Florida Dance Weekend Birthdays
For four years, I spent my birthday weekend having a grand time in Orlando (and other Florida locales) with some of my best friends, including my superb 25th at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter (with the lovely Lisa) and Disney's Animal Kingdom (with the handsome Hurley). This year, I'll be missing the Orlando Lindy Exchange (a.k.a. my built-in birthday party), and while I'm sure watching David Tennant as Hamlet while eating cheese and chocolate fondue will be indescribably marvelous, it won't be the same without you. Anyway, thanks to the many people responsible for making birthdays 23-26 absolutely fantastic! All my love to all of you!
Reuniting with long-unseen friends.
with Patrick F. at ORLX 2012
Happy 25th on the beach in St. Pete with Brendan, who is wearing my sunglasses
This shot would be even better if I were wearing my ORLX 4 shirt, too!
with Hurley at ORLX 2011
When I met Blake at a previous ORLX, he claimed someone had told him he just had to dance with me.
He later admitted he'd just seen me dance and thought I was awesome. The feeling is mutual.
ORLX 2012
Hugs are one of the best things about friends.
Sometimes, a dance is just an excuse to hug for 3 1/2 minutes.
with Tim at ORLX 2010
Love
It's corny, yes, but you should all be used to that from me by now, and it's true anyway so keep reading. I am ever so grateful for and overwhelmed by the number of incredible people I've met in the eight years I've been swing dancing. You have opened your hearts and homes and arms to me, and I love you for it. So here's to you, you awesome folks. A hat-tip to you, a hug when next we meet and until then . . .
I've never been to the International Lindy Hop Championships, but this video makes me want to go. Also, I may have to name my future daughter Maeva for no other reason than it's a lovely name. (Do I need a reason other than that?)
At 87 years old, Dorie dreamed of reliving her glory days as a champion jitterbug dancer. On December 15th, she had that opportunity. Dancers from the Atlanta-based swing dance group Swinging from the Heart joined Dorie and her friends for a holiday party at Elmcroft of Roswell. When asked to dance, Dorie replied, "I haven't danced in so long." Although she usually travels by wheelchair, she shook a wicked calf on her own two feet for the first of her several dances.
Special thanks to Swinging from the Heart, Elmcroft of Roswell, and Second Wind Dreams for making Dorie's dream come true!
This weekend, the Capitol Theatre Ballroom was treated to the delightful voice of this lovely lady:
That's Davina Sowers with her band, Davina and the Vagabonds. The band ended their recent tour with a stop in Wheeling on October 14 for the Wheeling Symphony's Mad About Swing. If you were there, you know it was a super-fun evening with a fantastic band, a full dance floor, and some yummy cookies and other things to eat.
Fingers crossed, it won't be the last of the symphony's swing dances with awesome live bands. For more Davina, check out the band's website and their YouTube channel. For more symphony swing dances, tell the WSO how much fun you had by writing on the Facebook page.
Many thanks to the WSO Board of Directors, Davina & the Vagabonds, the WSO Staff, dance instructor Jamie Carney, the lovely ladies of the Capitol Theatre Ballroom and, of course, a big huge thank you to everyone who danced the night away!
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