The swing era is slowly dying away?!
Question:
The swing era is slowly dying away?
You don't hear of many swing dances anymore and when you do hear of one, only senior citizens and a few younger people go. The only ones that really dance are the senior citizens and the younger people don't really try. It is obvious that the swing era is dying away, but my real question is: is anybody in more recent generations going to miss the swing era? Does anybody appreciate jazz and the swing era enough to want to learn more about it and try to keep it alive?
Answers:
The swing scene is actually stronger than ever! It's an ungerground scene in the sense that it's not part of pop culture, but there are places in the US where there are many devoted followers.
In Southern California for example, there is a place to go swing dancing ever night of the week! One of the venues, on Thursday Night in Pasadena, draws in a crowd of more that 300 people on a weekly basis! ... and, Disneyland has had a swing band every Saturday Night since it opened in 1955!
Additionally, not a weekend goes by where there is not a "Lindy Exchange" or Swing Dance Camp/Workshop/Competition somewhere in the United States. There is also a lot of events outside of the US.
If the Swing Scene was dying, do you think this video could have been made last september? (Check out this amazing swing dance competiton video!!!):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hhpokhqut...
If you're having trouble finding swing in you area, just be sure to look for Lindy Hop. This is where you'll find the "young" crowd.
Try searching you City/State on this website:
http://www.thelindyhop.com
Or try posting on the National Swing Forum:
http://www.yehoodi.com
Or try traveling to a "Lindy Exhange" or Swing Camp/Weekend:
http://www.lindyexchange.com
I hope that helps!
Happy Dancing!!!