Swing dancing was something that I didn't really know much about before coming to college. My first exposure to it was at my former college's homecoming dance in October 2012. The theme of the dance was 1920s, and the school had several students that were talented swing dancers offer free dance lessons at the start of the evening. The swing dance lessons were my favorite part of that homecoming, and after the dance I got in contact with one of the guys who was giving the lessons.
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| Homecoming 2012 at my former college |
The swing dance guy that I stayed in contact with after homecoming ended up organizing a few more fun swing dance nights throughout spring semester. I went to as many as I could and always had a wonderful time! I love dancing, but am not a fan of the disgusting "dance styles" that are found at most school dances or clubs these days, so to me it was awesome to find a group of people that loved to actually dance!
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| Some of my friends from my former school at a swing dance night. |
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| Taking a swing break to do the Cha Cha slide. (I'm out in the back left!) |
But as y'all know, I didn't stay at my former college, and once I transferred to my current school I didn't hear anything about swing dancing. I figured that swing was something that probably was only still enjoyed by college students at rural Christian colleges like my old school. To be quite honest, I kind of forgot all about swing dancing!
I'm a member of CRU (Campus Crusade for Christ) at my new school, and a couple weeks ago I found out that our CRU group was going to a swing dance event here in Charlotte with the much larger CRU group from nearby university UNC Charlotte. It sounded like a fun event and something to do, so I decided to go. I was under the impression that the UNC students were hosting it and that it would be only our two schools' CRU groups.
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| The swing dancers from my school's CRU group! |
Well, the swing dancing event completely blew away my expectations, and was seriously some of the most fun that I've had so far in college! First off, let me say that this was most certainly not just a CRU event... I'm guessing that there were between 150-250 people there, ranging from high schoolers to elderly folks! In addition to the two CRU groups, there was also a different UNC group, a large group from Charlotte's popular Elevation Church, and many singles, couples and friend groups! There was a live band playing wonderful music, and the dance hall was decorated with the prettiest lights. The evening began with a basic lesson in swing dance, and then the rest of the night was free dance time.
The wonderful group that put on this event was called Gotta Swing Charlotte! On the first Friday of every month, they hold a $5 swing dance event that's open to anyone, and that's what we were at. I will definitely be going back- sadly I cannot attend next month's because of Spring Break, but I can guarantee that I will be back! :-) It was such a great and fun workout, and also a time to get some very affordable dance instruction! As well as getting to bond more with my CRU friends and new friends from UNCC!
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| The CRU groups from my school and UNCC. |
Swing dancing is also a great way to meet guys! Throughout the course of the night I must have danced with close to 30 guys. Some of them were way older or way younger then me, but a bunch of them were college aged guys. This event helped to restore my faith that there still are nice guys my age that actually enjoy real dancing and not just "getting some" at the club. ;-)
If you live anywhere near Charlotte then I would highly recommend checking out the wonderful and affordable dance opportunities that Gotta Swing Charlotte offers! Or if you live elsewhere, I would reccomend trying to find some swing dance opportunities near your home! I can't rave enough about how much I love swing dancing, and I'm so happy that I was able to rediscover how much fun it is.
xoxo Miss ALK
Fun!! Love your dress!!
ReplyDeleteSo fun! You looked adorable for both events. We got into swing dancing in college as well and even did a few swing steps in our wedding first dance :)
ReplyDeleteThis looks so amazing!! I really want to go now.
ReplyDeleteGreat post,
Alex @ Radiating Sunshine
alexmhons.blogpsot.com
Glad you had a fun weekend!
ReplyDeleteXX, SS || seersuckersass.blogspot.com
swing dancing.... how those two words bring back such fond memories. I have only done it once, at a friend's church, but the time I had was amazing. It was one of my happiest memories of the fall of 2013. I had never done that type of dancing before, and felt like a dope as I learned. ;) But as a friend faithfully taught me, and throughout the time we were on the dance floor next to the big band playing the night away, all fear left me, and I had just about the most fun I've had in a long time.
ReplyDeleteYour adventures in swing dancing sound marvelous, and it is encouraging to see that there are still some gentlemen out there, ;)
*hugs*
Shannon
I can definitely feel when I have to buy supplements, on the grounds of everything that feels lacking. Eminence, recovery, stamina, every smallest bit of it. Particularly recovery.
ReplyDelete