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Show Friday, March 26, 1999 The Daily Utah Chronicle - 7 " ' ' Avsty moves moce swrng ooc hard but the fun of the dance seems to be worth it, as dancers flock to clubs all over Utah. But following the advent of in the '50s, swing eventually went the way of all partner dancing, stigmatized as a nostalgic and decidedly uncool pastime. Like most American fads, the swing-danc- e revival started in California, where bands like Royal Crown Revue and Indigo Swing began packing clubs in the early '90s. The Pasadena Ballroom Dance Association was one of the spawning grounds of L. A. swing and has held swing dances and workshops since the 1980s. The highest-profil- e venue, however, is a Hollywood nightspot called the Derby. Featured in the film "Swingers," the club hosts retro swing bands nightly. In New York City, the swing scene is also booming. Dance teachers and club owners say it's part of a reawakening of interest in social dancing of all kinds. rock-and-ro- The ll Utah Scene arrival of swing mainly due to Utah saw the Young University students, when they began gathering to dance several years ago. According to Margie Kunz, BYU student and swing dancer since 1996, "There were several different clubs on campus, and they were each just a group of friends meeting in different tions not knowing about one another...and then they got together." Now the swing club is the biggest club on campus, assembling every Saturday, and can 0 have anywhere from people in atten100-30- dance. Many of the BYU dancers got into the activity their home states, and are part of the driving force behind the club. Andrew Exon started swing dancing 17 months ago in San Diego in where his older brother teaches swing, and Camille Ausman started dancing with her brother in San Diego about 3 12 years ago. Swing dancing came to the U by way of Janel Wilsey in May of 1997. "We had four people and we just showed up," she recalls. They started learning the steps, went to some workshops "I think (some in California and on the East Coast) and the club grew. U senior Randall Harrington started going to Swing Club lessons about a month ago. "I had no idea what swing was or anything but I thought 'I need to get a hobby, so why not swing'," he says. Now he thinks "swing dancing is totally fun." Some of the band members got involved because they literally knew someone who knew someone who knew Ken. This is the case for three University of Utah students, Austin Vick-re- y (saxophone), Howard Summers (trumpet), and Kyle Holzer (trombone), who joined the "The club's never been anything but casual, whoever shows up shows up. We don't have any dues and we don't really have events and things yet...but there are some very exciting things coming up," Wilsey adds. "Frankie Manning was one of the first Lindy Hop dancers in the U.S. and was one of the ones that helped start it in Harlem in 1927. He's coming in September to do a workshop and that's very exciting because it's The band dons tuxes and performs in a Bountiful school (just off 4th North exit, go left) every Saturday from 8:30 -- 11:00 pm. Dance lessons are given for a half hour, and they sell food and drinks. Some who visit the dance hall get into the spirit of things and dress in styles from the orig- the first Lindy Hop workshop with Frankie Manning in Utah ever." Freshman Joy Renecke became interested in swing from "watching 'Swing Kids,' obviously." She started learning by just "messing around with her friends," has been dancing for about 6 months, and faithfully attends the weekly meetings at the U. The University Swing Club meets every Thursday evening at 8 p.m. in the Naval Sciences building , and usually about 80 to 90 people show up; some have had lessons before, and some have never come near swing. According to Gregory von Arx, current president of the club, "Attendance has risen sharply over the past month," as more people find out about the club's existence. As.of now, there is no official club membership or membership fees, but that may change as the club works toward having a budget to purchase more equipment and sponsor events. Band is Back Big Culmone wanted to get together a big Ken and play Swing dances, so he started recruiting last November. Eventually he got his band, and Ken Culmone and his Kings of Swing started performing on February 27th of this year. the main point band. inal swing days, while others sport everyday jeans. Two members of BYU's competitive swing team, Sarah Fowers and Brandon Spanos, dressed in retro garb and checked the event out. They thought "the live band is very nice and it's Show, Alien Fashion Show, and Blue Plate Special. The New Morty Show has had sold-operformances across the West Coast as they celebrate the best of the Golden Era of Las Vegas lounge and jump swing. Alien Fachion Show sports a unique collision of swing with other styles of music brought center-stage by. the five band members. Blue Plate Special has also performed in sellout venues like The Derby and is said to appeal to swing dancers of all ages. Tickets for this event are still available for $15 in advance or $17.50 at the door. Tickets or information can be accessed by calling or ut 933-408- 0. Bird," is a U swing is here to stay this time, no It may fall victim as it did years ago to social change and stigma, or it may last for many more years to come. But regardless of its future in the American fabric, there are those taking full advantage of what it offers band. while it's in full swing. a really good atmoshpere." Austin Vickrey, otherwise known as "Little student and sax section leader of the Whether think the main point here is that...we as a band want to express our joy and our love for music and play for the audience," Vickrey says. "The audience wants to dance and they want to come and have fun and we want to help them. It's fun for us to watch them dance out there and "I have a ball." 0 Culmone guesses that they have about will people each Saturday; he anticipates that grow as more people become aware of the band and hopes to find a larger and venue in the future. 130-14- Live Shows the Good Stuff bands haven't been flocking to Utah the swing scene appeared, but that may change in the future. Not only is Frankie Manning, one of the originals, coming to Utah, but Snowbird is hosting Swing bands from Los Angeles and San Francisco on March 27 at 6:30 Tour features New Morty p.m. The Mirror-Ba- Swing ll here is that.. .we as a band want to express our joy and OUT love for music and play for the audience." AUSTIN VI C KR E Y sax player for kings of swing "YOUR COLLEGE EDUCATION MAY BE CLOSER THAN YOU THINK" With tuition costs and living expenses constantly rising, the price of a college education may seem out of sight. '11k: Utah Army National Guard has programs that can bring the cost of a college education into focus. jot) with great pay and full time Part-tim- e benefits Paid skill training Montgomery CI Mill entitlement of over $7.(K)0 At least $ $8HR starting Joining the Army National Guard does not mean putting off college. You can serve in your own community while attending classes. Let your recruiter show you Uiat your education is closer than vou think! 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