First Posted: 12/15/2014
DALLAS — A Misericordia University professor is trying to get people to swing dance in NEPA.
Dr. Christopher Carr, assistant professor of religious studies, has been organizing events for a year and a half at the St. John Paul II Center (formerly the Gate of Heaven parish school gym) in Dallas. At each session, he provides lessons for beginners and then holds an open dance for more experienced dancers or anyone who wants to practice.
Swing is a lively form of dance that’s done to swing music, most associated with the big band era that had a strong resurgence in the 1990s with bands like The Brian Setzer Orchestra and Cherry Poppin’ Daddies. This style of music features an upright bass and distinctive rhythm behind a section of brass and woodwind instruments. Carr, however, finds the swing sound in the music of many not normally considered swing musicians. His musical library includes selections from rockers ranging from Elvis Presley to ZZ Top and crooners ranging from Frank Sinatra to Michael Buble.
Having grown up in Boston, where he first took lessons with a girlfriend, Carr became accustomed to living in a place that had a swing dancing culture in place, often attending events where 200 to 300 people danced to a live band.
A major point of etiquette in swing dancing requires everyone to dance with as many partners as possible, so the style encourages social interaction and Carr fell in love with it for its social merits as much as for its expression. After leaving Boston, he found swing dancing societies in Milwaukee, where he attended graduate school, and Northern New Jersey where he taught before moving to NEPA.
At his most recent session on Dec. 13, Carr recalled how he found only ballroom dancing when he came to the area.
“The ballroom dancing is more for empty nesters, older couples, retiree and it’s very couple oriented,” Carr said, adding that he sought the interactive dancing culture he knew in places he’d lived before moving to the Back Mountain. “But I find, and this isn’t a slight of anybody, I think this is just the way it is, but there isn’t that kind of dancing culture here.”
With the desire to dance and spread social swing culture and the permission of his church parish to use its recreational center, Carr began teaching people how to swing dance and inviting others to participate. The first event attracted 60 people, and every subsequent dance has brought an attendance of 25-30, but Carr is constantly trying to reach newcomers.
Saturday’s dance drew an array of different people. One couple hit the floor immediately and with such grace that it was clear that they’d been dancing for years.
In contrast, Joe and Sherrie Contardi came to try something new and brought their five children with them. The kids were more excited than their parents and participated with eager feet.
Alexis Cepukaitis used to dance regularly, being fond of the east coast two-step style of swing, but got away from it when her son was born. It seemed fitting that her son, Bryce Woodward, accompanied his mother on Thursday as she got back into a beloved pastime.
As a teacher, Carr is a stickler for the rules and techniques of swing, but in a supportive way. He gently points out small flaws in technique and suggests ways to correct them. He even explains the reasons for discipline as he educates beginners in his favorite style. He is well received by students of all ages and exudes joy when a newcomer gets the hang of it.
Carr tries to hold a session every other month and will be looking for new outlets to announce the dates and times as well as new people to bring energy and laughter to the room. Each event has one hour of instruction followed by three hours to dance openly and all are welcome. A fee of $7 for adults and $3 for students and children under 18 goes toward rent and maintenance for the parish rec-center.
