Staff
Sally Owens
Each week hundreds of Snow College students gather every Wednesday night to listen to songs like Neon Moon by Brooks & Dunn, Stuck Like Glue by Sugarland, and Fishin in the Dark by Nitty Gritty Dirt Band altogether. Not only do many students sing along but they also grab a partner and head out to the dance floor.
Over the past five years, Snow College has seen a steady increase of students who’ve participated in swing dancing. There have even been times where people gather two or more times in the week to dance around. On other occasions, students have gotten together before the event to practice dance moves with each other or learn the steps to one of the line dances.
While Sanpete County is known as a rural area with the country town feel throughout, the popularity of swing dancing has increased all over the state in recent years. Swing dancing allows people to join in on a fun and energetic environment with a variety of people of all different skill levels. It allows people to build new connections and express themselves, while also having the chance to get a good workout in.
President of the Swing Dancing Club, Ben Rasmussen shares, “Well, the main reason I like swing dancing so much is that I see it brings people together.” He goes on to share, “I have seen and been able to help 12 couples lead to marriage because of swing dancing.” So if one is hopeful for a new friendship or maybe something more, trying swing dancing could be the place for them.
“It is a chance to have brief interactions with people. Especially people you know. You don't even have to dance if you don’t want to, but you can talk to people that you don’t usually get to see on campus and catch up with them” says Ellie Rowley, a swing dancing regular.
With swing dancing on the rise of popularity, it is a chance to get out and try something new with people who are in the same boat. Trying it here on campus is a safe next step to seeing if this could become a new hobby or if the Boot Scootin’ Boogie, by Brooks & Dunn is not the right fit.