Technically Speaking Article #3

This is an article I wrote for the culture section of the newspaper.

A Swinging Alternative
By Sarah Anzivino


The dimly lit ballroom is brimming with couples whirling and dancing to the lively music emanating from the live band playing on the stage. A group of high school boys and girls stand in the corner of the room, laughing and talking. One of the boys has a brown plaid fedora on his head. He takes it off as he bows, grinning to one of the young ladies in a black-and-white polka dot dress. He replaces his hat on his head and leads the young lady to find a place in the swirling mass of dancers. The air is thick with the Big Band music and the lively crowd.

Such is the typical night at one of the Piedmont Swing Dance Society (PSDS) meetings. The PSDS meets on the second and the fourth Saturday nights of every month. The second Saturday meetings are held at the Vintage Theater in Downtown Winston Salem, and the fourth Saturday meetings are held at the Oriental Shrine Club in Greensboro.

Swing dancing is a good alternative to a night at the movie theater. A night dancing to the lively tempo of the live bands is a great way to burn extra calories and meet new people. Most people, however, don’t know how to swing dance. The PSDS has made sure that this stops no one from having an enjoyable time. A free lesson in the basics of swing dancing is offered from 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm. The lesson is taught by real swing-dance coaches. At 8:30, the band strikes up and dancers flood the floor. You don’t need to bring a partner to participate because there are plenty of dancers, experienced and novice alike, that dance with people they don’t know. The dance floor closes at 11:30 pm, but you can leave before then.

The Piedmont Swing Dance Society is a nonprofit organization, and so there is a small entry fee. For Students under 21 and PSDS members, the cost is $8. For non-members, the cost is $10. For more information, you can call the PSDS at (336) 508-9998 or visit their website at www.piedmontswingdance.org.

Before you head out to the movies or spend a night at home, consider joining the people at Piedmont Swing Dance society and learning something new.