Orono High School has many clubs and activities. However, swing dancing never made the cut. Until now. The new club goes by the name of “Just Swing”, a name that captures the joyful and easy-going essence of the sport. With 108 new members, it has already proven to be successful.
Swing dancing is, “a style of partner dancing that has been around since the 1920s. It’s danced to swing music (sometimes called “Big Band”) and is more casual and upbeat than a waltz or fox trot”, senior officer Grace Bloomquist said.
“Anyone can do it, you don’t need any experience. It’s a super fun opportunity to meet new people and hang out with friends and have a great time dancing,” junior Luke Henson said.
Meetings will be held once a month during Spartan hour. “For the first half hour we’re going to teach the basics. And then we’ll split into groups. First we’ll partner people up based off of height and then we’ll just throw on some music and people can dance on the floor. There’s also going to be snacks,” Henson said.
The officers of the new club are seniors Grace Bloomquist and Quinn Corteau, as well as juniors Luke Henson and Audrey Patterson. Renate Fiora has also agreed to be the club’s advisor.
According to CentralHome, the swing dancing craze originated in the 1920s when the Charleston and the Lindy Hop took America by storm. After the New York Savoy Ballroom opened its doors, the evolution of swing dancing grew rapidly. People started incorporating jazz and contemporary movements and not long after that, dance schools such as the famous Arthur Murray studio, began teaching the Lindy Hop and other swing styles.
The leaders of the club said they are very excited to begin the journey with Just Swing this year and they have high hopes.
“My hopes for the club this year is to create some excitement for swing dancing and to help more people know what it is,” senior officer Quinn Corteau said.
As far as activities and events go, the officers have many things planned for the club. “A few times throughout the year we will all go to the Wabasha Street Caves in St. Paul for Thursday Night swing night,” Bloomquist said.
The Wabasha Street Caves are a popular place among high school and college students who enjoy going swing dancing. The caves used to be a speakeasy back in the day. Now they are being put to use again and on Swing Night there is a live band that plays there.
The senior officers will be able to continue the legacy, “by hopefully creating a bunch of excitement for the club so then we’ll have two more people willing to lead with Audrey and Luke after Grace and I have graduated,” Corteau said.
Whether novice or experienced, anyone can come to the club and enjoy a fun activity with their peers.