Steamboat Swings hosts ‘good, clean fun’

The mission of Steamboat Swings, a brand new nonprofit within the valley’s dance group, is to construct and nurture a welcoming group via the enjoyment of accomplice dancing with West Coast swing at its coronary heart.

A gathering of the group Saturday was actually heat and welcoming on a chilly winter night time as people and {couples} confirmed off their totally different ranges of strikes with varied dance companions.

“We promote connection — between people, music and movement — through social dances, lessons, practice sessions and shared experiences that bring people together in an increasingly disconnected world,” stated Steamboat Swings board member Jenny Spencer.

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Steamboat Swings board member Marti Potter from Clark stated the twice-monthly Saturday night time gatherings are an effective way to get in her 10,000 every day steps whereas having enjoyable in an off-the-cuff, pleasant ambiance that’s “just good, clean fun.” In addition to West Coast swing, the music of the night included salsa, waltz, line dancing and a well-liked Latin accomplice dance known as bachata.

“It’s very welcoming, very inviting, for all levels,” Clark stated.

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“We are an intergenerational group that has each found friendship, belonging, connection, healing and joy through social dancing,” Spencer stated. “Our hearts and dance community are genuinely centered on inclusion, community and joy. We welcome never-ever dancers, and encouraging beginners is an important part of our dance community.”

The new nonprofit was established in July and has since hosted classes and gatherings, two rounds of two-month introduction courses to West Coast swing and 4 well-attended group dances at Bud Werner Memorial Library Hall or the Steamboat Art Depot.

The group is led by board president Todd Millard, treasurer Bobbi Franco and secretary Dave Glantz together with board members Potter, Spencer and Denise Clark. The board members had beforehand been college students at Steamboat dance studio Goodhart’s Dancin’ till proprietor Scott Goodhart moved to Seattle to spice up his dance teacher profession.

The board members didn’t need to let the group dancing vibe and alternatives fade away, in order that they began the nonprofit, which is greater than a membership and fewer than a enterprise, to maintain the dancing going.

Steamboat Swings is one group that usually rents area on the small, two-level Steamboat Dance and Fitness at 1955 Bridge Lane. The location serves as a shared, community-based studio area for dance courses, workshops and rehearsals managed by nonprofit Steamboat Dance Theatre.

The new nonprofit group focuses on West Coast swing as a result of it’s a slotted accomplice dance that isn’t intimidating, not as quick as East Coast swing and might be danced by all genders and companions most frequently by holding only one hand.

“Our community celebrates all forms of partner dancing as a way to grow together, support one another and create meaningful social bonds,” Spencer defined. “We envision a vibrant, inclusive community where dance is more than steps; it’s a shared language of collaboration, creativity and friendship.”

The group has a number of upcoming class choices together with Fall in Love with Dance on Feb. 13 at Library Hall. Terra Summers, an All-Star stage West Coast swing dancer and teacher from Denver, shall be instructing an introductory lesson to West Coast swing and line dance from 6-7 p.m. Then social dancing is scheduled from 7-10 p.m. together with West Coast swing, line dance, waltz, nation and Latin for a $10 urged donation.

For Valentine’s Day on Feb. 14, the group is internet hosting Fall in Love with Dance Workshops with the visiting dance teacher for $30 for a lunch and three courses in West Coast swing sample and method in addition to nation two-step on the Steamboat Springs Community Center.

Spencer pointed to quite a few printed articles that notice social dance just isn’t solely a full-body exercise that improves cardiovascular well being, flexibility, muscle and core energy, steadiness, and physique consciousness, but additionally improves psychological well being points resembling stress and anxiousness.

“Partner dancing strengthens a sense of belonging, expands social circles, strengthens relationships, and improves our confidence and ability to communicate,” Spencer stated.

To make social dancing as accessible as doable, the group has added a “pay what you can” choice. Although the group focuses on accomplice dance kinds, individuals don’t want a accomplice for the occasions or courses. People can come alone, with a accomplice or with associates.

“Because dancing with a variety of people helps us learn faster and become better dancers, we rotate partners in all of our classes and make a point to dance with everyone at our events,” Spencer stated.

Upcoming courses or dance classes are listed at Facebook.com/SteamboatSwings or SteamboatSwings.com.