On a recent Saturday at Little Man Ice Cream, a crowd gathered on the cobblestone walkway under the glow of string lights to watch two instructors teach them how to swing dance. This free event is called Swingin’ Under the Stars and is hosted by Swingin’ Denver at Little Man Ice Cream’s original Lower Highland location when it is warm out and at Little Man Ice Cream Factory when it’s cold.
“Swing dancing and specifically Lindy Hop are partner dances that were grown in Black American culture in Harlem and across America,” said Swingin’ Denver instructor Vi Bright. “People get together and do partner jazz. People may think of many types of different jazz dances. Lindy Hop specifically is a type of jazz dance. ”
A Lindy Hop dance requires two people: a “lead,” who is in charge of the majority of the dance’s movements, and a “follow,” who mimics the lead’s movements. The lessons begin by teaching attendees the fundamental movements.
If you are a follower, you first step to the right, then to the left, back on your right foot, and finally forward on your left foot. If you are a lead, the moves are reversed. Both dancers’ hands are always connected. As the lessons progress, the instructors will teach a slightly more advanced move for the leaders to use during the event’s public dance time.
“The dance was created because people like the music and the music made them want to move their bodies,” said instructor Emory Roehrkasse. “All we do with the lessons at Little Man is give you some tools to move your body in a way that makes sense to the music.” Once dancers have the basic steps down, the rest of the experience is up to them.
Lindy Hop dances are all improvised, so there is no correct way to dance. “It’s not that deep and it’s okay to wiggle around,” Roehrkasse said. “The greater implication is that the more that you face these fears and do these small actions, you build resilience in yourself over time.“
After the lessons, attendees can form groups with friends or complete strangers to dance with the live musicians until the event ends. Although the musicians change, attendees can always expect swing-style jazz to be performed at these events. For those who are hesitant to dance with strangers, Roehrkasse offers these words of comfort.
“Nobody’s life is on the line here, dude,” Roehrkasse said. “This is just dancing.“
Taking these lessons is an excellent way to make new friends or reconnect with old ones. There were large groups of people attending together, and when they took a break during one song, they laughed and talked about their experience before returning to the dance floor as soon as the next song began.
Even those who came on their own appeared to share the same joy. Because this is a partner dance, the culture is very welcoming. If someone is standing alone on the dance floor, others will approach them and invite them to dance. As you dance with them, you get to know them better, and it becomes less intimidating.
The Mercury Cafe also offers Lindy Hop lessons and a public dance on Sunday nights through a company called Denver Swing Nights. These lessons cover the same basic steps as those taught at Swingin’ Denver events. Every weekend, there is a rotating lineup of live musicians, so whether you enjoy jazz or dance, it is a fun way to spend the night.
The final Swingin’ Under the Stars event at Little Man Ice Cream’s Highland location will take place on Saturday, August 31. The lesson begins at 7:30 p.m., with live music provided by Jeremy Mohney and His Band. If you miss that event, Little Man Ice Cream Factory will host “Soul Line Dancing” on Sunday, September 1 at 6 p.m., so there is no excuse not to get your dance shoes on this weekend!