The Swing Dance Association is hoping to shake things up the traditional way. For those who may not know anything about swing dancing, it is an old-fashioned dance style that originated in the early 1920s alongside swing-jazz music. Swing is a smooth style of dance where the lead spins, twirls and sometimes lifts their partner.
Jake Cady, the organization’s representative, said his appreciation for the art form started the moment his feet hit the dance floor. Cady, a veteran swing dancer, gave deep insights into his love and dedication to the art. His start was simple and everything he could have hoped for.
“I was coming just to visit a friend from high school and managed to get hooked enough to where I wanted to keep trying to get better at it,” Cady said. “Swing dancing initially was just going to be a hobby.”
After the small jump into it, he found himself returning, and before long, he discovered a passion that would later take him to places around the world.
“It’s allowed me to make a lot of friends both in Auburn and while traveling,” he said.
It’s a natural way to make connections, Cady said. He said while dancing you learn about the other person — their mannerisms and quirks.Cady stressed that swing dancing has not only given him a passionate hobby, but it’s contributed to his growth as a person.
“Kind of like when you fall in love with somebody, how you can see the world through rose-colored glasses — swing dancing allows me to be like that,” Cady said. “When I hear swing dancing music or jazz, the world’s a little bit different because I know how to dance to that.”
While Cady’s level of dedication is certainly on the higher end, it’s not required to make it a full-time job. You just have to get out there and dance, he said. He said swing dancing is for anyone who wants to try something new and have a great time while doing it.
The swing dancing group gets together at Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center on Fridays from 6-9 p.m.
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