A Swingin' Date Destination
Story and Photos by Praise SantosWednesday, Nov. 4, 2009
Swing Knights at the University of Central Florida is the perfect non-traditional date destination. OTownStyle.com's Praise Santos chats with Swing Knights president Timothy Korkuc and learns that you don't have to be the most coordinated person to have a great time.
triple-step, triple-step, rock step: this mantra is the gate to the perfect get-away from the trite dinner-and-a-movie Friday night routine.
They also happen to be the basic dance steps of the Lindy Style of swing dancing. You may be thinking, "What? Swing dancing? Who are you, my grandmother?" Oh, friends, you don't know how fun this is until you've tried.
This style of dance attracts those from 6 to over 60. Swing is such a refreshing expression - miles away from the grinding and the awkward side step that floods some other dance scenes. If you're unfamiliar, swing dancing is a bluesy partner dance that dates back to the beginning of jazz in the 1920s through the Forties.
This is an attractive revival where stylistically red lips, suspenders, and fedoras abound. (Want an immersive throwback? December 4th is Swing Knights' Winter Formal. This will make up for your horrid prom, really.)
The weekly event has a refreshing atmosphere too. No show-offs. People are there simply for the love of swing. (And if you're going there for a girls night out, it also has a refreshingly close to non-existent creeper community. In a crowd of 150 to 200 people, that's a notable statistic).
Insomuch that Swing Knights, held every Friday evening at the University of Central Florida, should be next on your date night list (it's a great location for group dates too!).
The perfect prospect? Someone ready for fun.
"I'd bring someone spontaneous," said a Swing Knights attendee.
Afraid you'll fumble into a trip and embarrass yourself silly in front of your date? Fear not friends: "If you can walk, you can swing," says Swing Knights president Timothy Korkuc.
With the $5 admission, there's a complimentary Beginner's Lesson at 8 PM taught regularly by world-class dance instructor, Joel Green. He makes you feel at ease while he teaches you this jazzy routine. He's a package of quirky with a bow on top. You'll learn the basic of the dance plus spark your appetite from some intro to the Charleston.
Dance instructor Joel Green teaches a beginner's class.
I don't know what's in the air in that generic multi-purpose room, but once the dance starts, there's an undeniable spreading of glee, faster than you can say H1N1.
This pure joy in the dance is what will make you want to come back.
I'll tell you this though, it's a workout. You'll burn many a pretty calorie throughout the night. Bring deodorant.
Swing Knights meets every Friday evening in the multipurpose room 174 at the education complex at the University of Central Florida. The beginner's lesson is from 8-9pm and the dance follows from 9-12pm. Dates and times are subject to change. For more info visit http://www.swingknights.org.
BONUS:
Still feel like you're too cool a cat to bring your date out to swing? Know this: one of SK's reg DJa happens to be a rocket scientist. Oh, and, factoid: Bill Nye [yes, that science guy] is known to fancy the triple, triple, rock-step too.
DOUBLE BONUS:
For serious swingers, Swing Knights is hosting an advanced workshop called Ben & Gen next weekend (Nov 13 - 15). Check their site for more details.
Check out Praise's video interview with President Timothy Korkuc.
