Attend an Authentic Swing Dance in Fredericksburg

Fredericksburg, VA, October 15, 2012—The American Swing Music and Dance Association, an educational and charitable organization dedicated to keeping this uniquely American form of musical and dance expression alive and thriving, is proud to present an authentic swing dance at Picker’s Concert Hall in Old Town Fredericksburg, 902 Caroline St, on Saturday, November 3 from 7:30-11:00 pm.

Joel and Valerie Webber, who teach swing dance as Lindy in the ‘Burg, in cooperation with Gottaswing.com (a DC-area dance organization), have organized regular swing dances in Fredericksburg since the beginning of this year.

“What’s great about these events is that it’s like stepping back in time,” Valerie Webber said. “We play a range of swing-danceable music from the jazz and World War II eras on through the rest of the 20^th century.”

At the November 3 dance, the Webbers will teach an introductory East Coast Swing dance lesson from 7:30-8, followed by music and dancing from 8-11. Admission is just $10/person, and includes light refreshments.

“The swing dance community is extremely welcoming and friendly,” Joel Webber said. “You don’t need to have a partner or any previous dance experience. Everyone dances with everyone else.”

History

Swing dancing evolved out of musical styles like jazz and big band that became popular in the 1930s and 40s in the US. Then called Jitterbug, Charleston or Lindy Hop, the dance styles grew in popularity, spreading across all social groups, and peaking during the war years. As music changed in the 1960s and 1970s, authentic Lindy Hop and Jitterbug became a vanishing art, but swing-revival bands like the Stray Cats and the Brian Setzer Orchestra in the 1980s helped to fuel a revival and renewed interest in the original dance style.

Today, swing dancing is alive and thriving throughout the US, and in the local area. Weekly dances in Herndon and at Glen Echo Park, Maryland, draw several hundred dancers weekly.

Working with the nonprofit American Swing Music and Dance Association, the Webbers hope to find others with an interest in this era of history, as well as style of music and dance, here in the local area.

“A swing dance is a one-of-a-kind event where teenagers dance with grandparents (not necessarily their own) and newcomers dance with award-winners,” Valerie Webber said. “It’s a non-smoking, alcohol-free environment where everyone can enjoy themselves, relax with friends, get some exercise, and express themselves through dance.”

One of the unique features of the Picker’s Swing dance is the “half-time show,” which is an informal jam circle in which anyone can get up and show off their fancy footwork, including flips, tricks, and other moves that are not usually permitted on the social dance floor. It’s fun to watch, even for those who don’t care to dance.

Organization: The American Swing Music and Dance Association, Gottaswing.com, and Lindy in the ‘Burg

Telephone Number: 540-847-4581

Email Address: valerie.webber@ymail.com

https://www.facebook.com/LindyintheBurg

http://www.americanswing.org/

http://dc.gottaswing.com/