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Into The Swing Of Things

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By MICHELE SAGER

The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 28, 2008

USF CAMPUS - A new dance club at the University of South Florida is hoping to get people of all ages to put down their television remotes and pick up their dance shoes to re-create the swing era.

The Swinging Bulls is a student-run swing dance club started this year at USF to teach and promote swing dance. Student Patrick Foley founded the club to give people a less intimidating atmosphere to learn the dances and have fun.

"I found that many students wanted something a little less structured than what they can find at the university's dance program," he said. "People can come out here, learn new steps and enjoy good music."

Club lessons are held at 7 p.m. Thursdays at the Campus Recreation Center. Dancers can get an hour of lessons in a beginners or intermediate group.

"You can walk in here not having ever danced in your life, and we'll have you dancing basic steps within five minutes," said Laura Anderson. "It's a very relaxed environment."

And students take advantage of that relaxed attitude. At a recent dance session, a USF student poked her head into the room to see what all the commotion was about. When she learned about the dance class, she dropped her backpack and joined the lesson and within minutes learned the first steps of the Lindy Hop.

At 8 p.m., the lights are turned down and the music is turned up for a two-hour social dance. This is when the dancers can cut loose and show off the moves they learned.

Anderson said the social dance is an important part of the process.

"We have some people who just come for the lessons, and they do learn the steps," she said. "But the only way you're going to get good at them is to practice at the dances."

Instructor Tom Blair said people swing dance for many reasons.

"Some people come for the music," he said. "Some come for the exercise. Some come because they saw swing dance on that Gap commercial a few years ago and thought it looked cool."

USF student Viky Cheng said he came to a class because he wanted to try something new.

"I danced swing before, and I wanted to give it a try," he said. "It really is a lot of fun."

Instructors teach a range of steps, from the Lindy Hop to the Charleston. Though the club is run by USF students, the lessons and dances are open to the public. The lessons are free for members of the Campus Recreation Center and $5 for nonmembers.

Club adviser Phyllis Sirotta Feldman said all ages and dance levels are welcome. Dancers can bring a partner or come single and be matched with a partner during lessons.

Feldman said dancing has many benefits, pointing to a study by the University of London.

The study found that dance can play a role in the treatment of stress and emotional problems. Researchers assigned patients with anxiety disorders to spend time in four classes: modern dance, exercise, music and math. Only the dance class significantly reduced anxiety.

Research also has found that learning dance steps improves cognitive skills, and exercise increases the level of brain chemicals that encourage nerve cells to grow.

Feldman also points to the obvious weight-loss benefits. A 150-pound adult can burn about 150 calories doing 30 minutes of moderate social dancing.

The Swinging Bulls also host dance workshops with nationally known instructors. They have one Aug. 29 through 31. The cost is $65 for those who register in advance.

"It's a really good deal because most workshops cost at least $100," Foley said. "People should really come out and take advantage."

IF YOU GO

WHAT: The Swinging Bulls

WHERE: Room 107, Campus Recreation Center, University of South Florida, 4202 E. Fowler Ave.

WHEN: Dance lessons at 7 p.m., and social dancing from 8 to 10 p.m. Thursdays

HOW MUCH: Free to USF students and members of the Campus Recreation Center; $5 for others

INFORMATION: Visit http:// ctr.usf.edu/uswing/, e-mail pfoley2@mail.usf.edu or theswingingbulls @gmail.com, or call (813) 924-3665. You also can visit The Swinging Bulls at the Blackboard or Facebook Web sites.

Reporter Michele Sager can be reached at (813) 865-4843 or msager@tampatrib.com.

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