The Original Jazzercise (Blog Assignment #6)

The cold, November night sends a chill through my spine as I extend my hand closer to the heavy door handle of the Wabasha Street Caves. Loud music and laughter slip out from underneath the closed threshold. Upon opening the door, the light from inside sweeps out and I become enchanted by the exciting world before me. I adjust my jazzy tie, and straighten my Gene Kelly-esque fedora as I stop “singing in the rain” and enter the room.

My interest in swing music and dancing started during the swing revival of the 1990s. It was not until I was a student at Union College that anything ever happened. The Pla Mor Ballroom hosted swing night at the beginning of every month. It was a great opportunity to drop the books and learn something that was both entertaining and an exercise.

Saint Paul, Minnesota is the place to be every Thursday night. The Wabasha Street Caves open their doors to the community to take brief swing dance lessons and a fascinating floor to practice on. If you are unable to make it to the east side of the river, feel free to drop into the Tapestry Folkdance Center on Thursday night for swing lessons in Minneapolis. Enjoy the sound of live big bands that resonate all through the walls of the cave. The swinging jazz music will bring you back to another time.

In March 1926, the Savoy Ballroom opened its doors in New York. The Savoy became an instantaneous sensation. It housed a block-long dance floor and a raised double bandstand. Featuring dancing nightly most of the best dancers were fascinated by the New York area. Enthused by remarkable dancers and the finest bands, music at the Savoy was largely Swinging Jazz. In the 1930s big band swing music prevailed as leader of the jazz movement. Along side this up-tempo music swing dancing was defined.

Savoy dancer "Shorty" George Snowden stated that, “We used to call the basic step the Hop long before Lindbergh did his hop across the Atlantic.”

Jazz music has offered a beautiful escape for many people since its origins in the early 20th century. It offered hope and inspiration in a time of Great Depression. The first generation of Lindy Hop is popularly associated with dancers such as "Shorty" George Snowden and his partner Big Bea. Much time has passed since the Savoy days. Lindy Hop, and swing dancing in general have been highlighted in films and new reels. Today we can see strong swing dance scenes in many countries all over the world. Each district offers a unique flare. Valeria Kochubei, a member of the Kiev Swing Dance Club, explained that swing dancing is “where a man can act like a man with a woman and lead her. A woman can act like a woman and be beautiful.”

Whether a person lives in Lincoln, Kiev, the Twin Cities, or anywhere else, there is sure to be a swing dancing community near you. Take a chance to socialize and exercise as you try something new.