DEREKH FROUDE/Arizona Daily Wildcat Engineering senior Gavin Ekins and ecology and evolutionary biology senior Anna Young cut a rug last night at Bio Sciences West with the University Swing Dance club, Swing Cats.

Arizona Swingcats to jump and jive Saturday in a swing dance workshop

Years ago, groups of college students gathering to shake their groove thangs might have been perceived as a bit scandalous. Today, some of these unconventional groups gather and form official dance organizations.

Such is the case for the Arizona Swingcats, a University of Arizona-based swing dance club that originated in 1998 through unofficial dance gatherings and officially formed in 1999.

Current Swingcats president Anna Young, an ecology and evolutionary biology senior, said swing dancing is not only popular among the 97 members of the swing club, but also among Americans in general.

"Swing dancing is an American dance that started as a response to American music. It's our nation's culture," Young said.

Young said swing was an integral part of the lives of early 20th century Americans and believes that continuing in the swing tradition helps connect today's Americans to their past.

"Continuing to dance helps one feel connected to our nation's history and helps bridge the age gap between college-aged students and the World War II generation," she said. "The level of respect swing dancers have for their elders is remarkable."

Environmental science senior Kate Ervin said she could identify with early American swing dancers through her membership in Swingcats.

"The most attractive part of swing dancing to me is the music," Ervin said. "I think jazz and big band are by far the most important American contributions to the world of music, and I love being able to identify with the 1920s through 1940s by learning the dances and wearing the styles of clothing they enjoyed then."

Young said Swingcats has enabled her to connect not only with her American heritage, but also with other UA students.

"Since I've always lived off campus I haven't gotten the chance to meet as many people as students living in the dorms do," Young said. "Swingcats has provided a method to meet a lot of new people who share a common interest."

She added that swing dancing in general is a great way to meet new people.

"Swing dancing is a wonderful way to express yourself, interact with other people and have a good time," Young said. "Swing is an extremely social dance; people are there to have fun and interact with others, so it stimulates an inviting atmosphere."

Ervin added some people have misconceptions about the swing dance style due to its social nature.

"(Some people) think swing dancing is only about going out there and grooving to the music, (but) it's not," Ervin said. "This kind of dancing has been celebrated for almost a century, so you know it has to have substance, a strong tie to the music, technique and even some rules."

This Saturday's dance workshop may clear up some popular misconceptions about swing dance, as Phoenix swing instructors Steve Conrad and Matt May dish about various swing techniques.

"Conrad and May are two extremely qualified instructors and dancers who have taught all over the nation," Young said. "We are lucky to have had the chance to work with them in the past and to have them return for the workshop this Saturday."

Ervin added the instructors strive to make dancers feel comfortable, regardless of experience.

"These Phoenix instructors have a real knack for making people feel comfortable in their workshops," Ervin said. "I think everyone who attends this workshop will leave having enjoyed themselves, learned a lot and come to appreciate how incredibly good you can get at swing dancing if you do it enough."

The workshop takes place Saturday at the Living Community Center, 330 E. Seventh St., from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. It includes instruction in lindy hop, aerials, lead/follow and hip-hop. No dance experience is needed and partners are not required.

The workshop costs $10 for Swingcat members and $20 for non-members. The non-member price includes a Swingcats T-shirt and club membership. For more information on Saturday's workshop or Swingcat membership, e-mail swingcat@clubs.asua.arizona.edu.