Lydia Mayer
The Cowboy Country Swing Club is having a Halloween dance today in the Wyoming Union ballroom.
Every Thursday night, the Cowboy Country Swing Club (CCSC) gets together to swing dance from 8 to 11p.m. The CCSC is a registered student organization (RSO) led by their president, Eric Lovell.
“We put on swing dancing to teach the social skill of dancing,” said Lovell. “Social dancing isn’t seen much anymore, but it’s a passion we love.”
Swing dancing is a type of dancing that was established in the 1920s to jazz music. Pop culture has turned swing dancing into a country music phenomenon.
On normal nights from 8 to 9p.m., members of the community and students can head to the Union for partner swing dance instruction.
“We offer dance lessons to the entire community,” Lovell said.
After instruction the dancing continues until 11p.m.
For the most part, the CCSC teaches and participates in swing dancing. However, not only do they swing dance, but there is also line dancing and waltzing on occasion. From beginners to experienced dancers, many people come to the dances. In 2015, the Cowboy Country Swing Club even broke the Guinness world record for the world’s largest swing dance.
At the Halloween dance, the CCSC will also be teaching a line dance to the song “Thriller” for the first 30 minutes of instruction. Afterwards, normal instruction will resume. During the free dancing time, there will be a costume contest with prizes. To enter, Lovell said to “just show up to the dance.”
Dancing begins at 8pm on Halloween, offering a fun and safe time for the whole community.
