One uncoordinated staff writer takes on swing dance and clammy palms.

Are you tired of sweaty, claustrophobic dancing in frats? I would like to propose an alternative—Wednesday night swing dancing.

CU Swing is Columbia’s very own swing dance club. They host weekly lessons for dancers of all skill levels, as well as excursions to local swing dance events. As someone who is incapable of learning even a TikTok dance, I wanted to test their claim of “no experience needed.” To give the club a fair chance, I also brought a friend who is slightly more coordinated.

​There are two parts to the meeting: a beginner lesson at 7 pm, followed by an advanced lesson at 8 pm. Given my skills, I opted for the 7 pm lesson. When we arrived at Lerner, we were greeted by a crowd of approximately 20 people and the two instructors.

The class began with a brief (and terrifying) example of advanced swing dance, before we divided into leaders and followers. Thinking it would be easier, I insisted on being a follower, and sent my friend to the opposing side. Spoiler: It was definitely not easier.

The basic steps were simple, with my only real struggle being my lack of rhythm. Spins, however, were a different story. Remember when I said that being a follower was not easier? This was why. Spinning while trying to stay on beat betrayed every natural instinct of my body. It took me almost half the class to figure it out, but eventually I managed a semi-decent spin—which, surprisingly, made the dancing a lot more fun.

For me, the most intimidating part of the class was the social side. As a relatively introverted person, the thought of dancing with strangers was terrifying. But swing is a social dance, and I was committed to having an authentic experience. Partner rotations were straightforward: every couple of minutes, the instructors yelled “rotate,” giving us about 20 seconds to introduce ourselves to a new stranger before the jazzy music started again. I mostly used that time to give a preemptive apology for my lack of skill. Luckily, many participants were beginners like me and didn’t seem to mind my stumbling or excessively sweaty palms. Even the more experienced members were patient and forgiving.

After about 10 rotations of partners, the class finally came to an end. I was tired, dizzy, and weirdly exhilarated. In comparison to my usual nights locked up in Butler, it was a great place to laugh away stress and meet new people. While I do not plan to join, I can honestly report that CU Swing is as beginner-friendly and welcoming as advertised. To any swing-curious folks, I recommend giving it a try!

The first two lessons of the semester are free, then dues are $40. New members are welcome at any point in the semester, and your first lesson is always free. Meetings are held every Wednesday night in Lerner 555. More information can be found on their website, Instagram, or via email.

Swing Dance via Bwarchives