Every Monday night starting at 7:00 p.m., music can be heard throughout the Indiana Memorial Union. The source is the Georgian Room, filled with people all dancing together.
Dancing in a room full of people may seem unprecedented in post-pandemic times, but it’s just another Monday night for the Swing Dance Club.
The club was founded in 1998 and became a club sport in 2001. It aims at teaching swing dance to anyone interested, both the IU community and those outside the university. Members include undergraduate and graduate students, IU faculty and staff and surrounding community members.
“We accept everybody,” Swing Dance Club President Demetra Christos said.
Swing Dance Club President Demetra Christos talks about how she got involved with the club and what she loves most about it.
Monroe County resident Leah Clausman is 26 years old and loves to dance. She found a home and a passion within the club, even without any ties to the university.
“I sometimes feel like, ‘Do I really belong here?’ because there’s not many people my age, community member-wise,” Clausman said. “But I’m finding more of them are coming out and you just have to stick with it. And I love to dance so that’s why I stick with it.”
That love for dance is what inspires a lot of group members, and Christos aims to make the environment both inviting and accepting to all. No dance experience is needed to join, and it is open to all ages.
The group typically focuses on the swing dance styles of Lindy Hop, Charleston, Blues and St. Louis Shag.
Christos’s favorite thing about swing dance is how universal it is.
“Swing dancing is one of those things that surprisingly you can find anywhere in the world,” Christos said. “So wherever you travel, there will be a swing dance community. So no matter what, you’ll always be accepted.”
Starting at 9:00 p.m. every Monday night, the club hosts a social dance. People can dance freely alone or with each other as jazz songs play.
The club offers beginner and intermediate lessons each week, followed by a social dance. Typically, intermediate lessons start at 7:00 p.m., beginner lessons start at 8:00 p.m., and the social dance starts at 9:00 p.m.
It is free to come and join a lesson and to participate in the social dance.
No partner is needed to join or participate, but everyone has the chance to dance with one another during the lessons.
“Dancing is like a conversation, so I can have a conversation while dancing, and not have to say anything but it’s still equally as fun,” Swing Dance Club Vice President Loren Arzadon said.
The club is a safe space and is a chance for anyone to learn how to dance that wants to, Christos said.
Anyone interested can view their pages on Instagram or BeInvolved.
