Swing City!

I must be asleep.

Because I feel most awake, most alive when I'm dancing. Trying a new type of dance is like tasting a new dessert, and last night, I had the triple chocolate cake.

Walking onto the dance floor at Swing City in Squirrel Hill, I could not stop smiling. The music, people and dance moves seemed so familiar. I wished I had a polka dot dress, red lipstick and pearls. But I didn't feel awkward in my black skinny jeans and charcoal top - at least I was wearing my dancing shoes. The atmosphere was very casual. Some people dressed in vintage dresses and collared shirts while others wore Penguins shirts and poncho pants.

I went with the intention of observing for the first hour or so. This was not only because I plan on writing a story about Swing City for my newspaper 2 class but also because I had no idea how to swing dance.

After about 15 minutes of coaxing from friendly men who didn't want to see a girl sitting down, my favorite dancing buddy, Molly, and I took to the dance floor. I cursed myself for not showing up to the free lesson beforehand. But all of our dance partners were so helpful, counting to eight and reminding us of the slow-slow-quick-quick pattern. The way people crossed the room for each other reminded me of how Maria and Tony connected during the crowded dance in West Side Story. The kicking girls and twisting guys snapping their fingers helped too.

Dr. Zoot played the bouncing themes I expected as well as some polka and waltz. When they needed a break, the dance gods put on The Foundation's "Build Me Up Buttercup." The long trumpet skirts twirled and men got down on one knee with arms out, letting their girls parade around them. Amidst all of the swinging hips and dipping girls, there was an older couple in the middle of the room holding each other tight and spinning slowly.

The diverse crowd ranged from mid-teens to senior citizens, and everyone was having fun. Swing dancing is a lifelong activity, like tennis or golf, but I don't see love in peoples' eyes when they're golfing. Though tennis and golf clothes are pretty snazzy, there's just something about fedoras and chiffon scarves that's oh so fly.

You can bet that poodle skirt that I'll be back next Saturday and for many Saturdays after.

Swing City's Web site: http://www.swingpgh.com/index.html