February 22, 2012 - 1:35am
Campus Club: Swing Ann Arbor
BY ALEX O'CONNOR
From East Coast Swing to the Lindy Hop, at Swing Ann Arbor students and community members can learn the steps necessary to master both.
SAA is a University campus organization that teaches students and Ann Arbor residents how to swing dance — whether they have prior experience or not — at weekly meetings in the Michigan Union.
Rackham student Sara Lapan, the SAA curriculum director, said there is a fun and welcoming environment at the meetings, adding that there are free beginner lessons offered to teach the different dances.
The organization also runs two month-long series for different dances, including Lindy Hop for beginners, according to Lapan.
Lapan likened Lindy Hop to “a fancy new car,” adding that East Coast Swing is the “generic rental that gets you around until your Lindy Hop is ready.”
The two signature dances taught at SAA meetings are Lindy Hop and Charleston, while beginners start off with the easier and more famous East Coast Swing. SAA also hosts special workshops with choreographed dances that integrate jazz steps less common in swing dances.
Rackham student Nathan Rix, a SAA member, wrote in an email that the club environment makes it easy to feel comfortable and participate.
“The only requirement is that you be yourself,” Rix wrote. “The point is simply to have fun, listen, and play. And anyone can join.”
SAA has a diverse group of members, as the club is open to anyone interested in the art of swing dancing.
SAA holds weekly dance meetings every Wednesday. For new members, free beginner lessons are at 8 p.m., while open dance is held from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m., All meetings are held in the Michigan Union and cost $4 each night for students and $5 for the public.
