Ever wanted to learn how to dance, but never thought you could, or never knew where to go? Like the sound of jazz, blues, swing, or big band music? Join the Penn State Swing Dance Club for their March Dance, with live music provided by Penn State’s Phi Mu Alpha Dance Band!

Swing dancing is a style of dance that was widely popular from the Roaring 20s to the early 1950s. Lindy Hop, the style primarily practiced by this club, originated in Harlem in the early 1930s. Swing dance regained popularity in the 1980s, and the Penn State club joined the fun in 1998.

Don’t be deterred from coming if you have little or no experience; new dancers are as welcome to join as experienced ones. Swing dance is a social dance, meaning there is no choreography to master, and learning a few basic moves can be enough to dance the whole night. An introductory lesson will be taught at our March event and at every club meeting.

This event will take place on March 23rd, from 10PM–1AM in Alumni Hall in the HUB. Our introductory lesson will be from 10PM-11PM. No partner is required and there is no dress code besides comfortable shoes (though shorts are strongly recommended when wearing a skirt). Many members find these dances as a chance to dress up, but many people also attend in casual clothing.

If you want to dance ahead of this March event, our meetings are a great start. The Penn State Swing Dance Club meets every week, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8PM-10PM in 133 White Building, and on Saturdays from 10AM-12PM in 232 HUB.

The Penn State Swing Dance Club is fortunate to have music provided, for the second time, by Penn State’s Phi Mu Alpha Dance Band.

Penn State’s Alpha Zeta Chapter of the Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia was founded on February 3, 1923. The fraternity’s mission is to enrich the lives of musical students, serve the Alma Mater, and advance music in America. The Alpha Zeta Chapter has served both the Penn State and State College communities over the years through musical performances and service projects.

The Dance Band was formed in the early 1960s and has since performed for many different functions on campus, in the State College area, and beyond. Its most notable performances have been its several THON performances and a historic August 1964 concert at Schwab Auditorium featuring jazz legends Chuck Mangione and Joe Romano.

The current iteration of the Dance Band was reformed in spring 2016 by John Shoener and is currently led by trumpet player Jacob Shoener (junior Music Education major).

For more information about this event, and any future swing dance event, search “Penn State Swing Dance Club” on Facebook or send us an email at [email protected]. If you are interested in the Phi Mu Alpha Dance Band, search “Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Alpha Zeta- Penn State” on Facebook or send an email to [email protected].