A New Begining

As many of you know, it's the beginning of a new school year. As we've come to the end of our first full week of classes here at DePaul, my favorite event of the week has started up again - DePaul Swing Society's first weekly Swing. On this Thursday a year ago I talked my friend into going with me and fell head over heels in love with Swing dancing. Now I'm the Events Coordinator for the same club, running for Vice President, and giving it my all to keep it going strong. A couple of policy changes on the part of the Fitness Center where we practice have made it difficult for a number of our regular dancers to return, but we saw at least 40 new faces there tonight. That was so uplifting in its own right, that so many would be interested enough to at least try their hand at Swing dancing. Even so, all of the change has me thinking.

DePaul Swing has had its fair share of ups and downs over the years, but always managed to bring out some fantastic folks and a great time. It still continues to do so as we get acquainted with our new members and discover who is truly interested in continuing. I'm very excited for this new year and the new dancers we will help to develop. It's hard to believe that I was there only a year ago, stumbling through turns and apologizing every time I took a misstep.  Now I'm teaching those who have never danced before and setting the bar for others to aspire to alongside my fellow board members and in-house returners.

One of the biggest things I missed tonight was our outside returners though. The folks that made DePaul Swing what it is to me, the ones that made dancing fun and quality, have moved on or are unable to return due to the new policy. I love our new folks, but when I want a solid Lindy or a smoking Blues, I'm finding my options limited. We have a brilliant crew this year that will make DePaul Swing great - of this I have no doubt. I only wish we could combine last year's awesome folks with this coming year's and make Swing that much more fantastic.

We're doing what we can to get around the policy and bring back our outside regulars, but we'll see how things go. God's will be done, and we'll see what happens. Until then, I'm going to make the best of things and keep and eye out for my returner buddies on other dance floors. :)