Everything retro is making hot trend lists: From 80’s music to flannel shirts to classic swing dancing. In fact, that iconic dance from the 50’s isn’t gone—it’s alive and happening at Pierce College.
Denise Gibson, an associate professor of dance who performed in the Los Angeles City Ballet and the Chicago City Ballet, is the advisor to the Pierce and Moorpark College swing team clubs.
On Dec. 18 auditions will be held in the north gym from 1 to 3 p.m. for all dance teams and modern dance.
Last year the swing team placed second in the U.S. Open.
Gibson also teaches at Moorpark College, which has chosen to fully fund its swing teams.
Meanwhile, Pierce teams must rely solely on fundraising.
“The only reason we have a concert is because the dance club has ticket sales to put on the shows,” said Erin Hickey president of the Street Dance Club.
With the closing of the student center, Gibson has found it hard to hold fundraisers.
“I’ve got four teams that want to compete,” said Gibson. “I have to pick the strongest.”
Social dance is usually considered to be any dance in which partners are involved and includes the east and west coast swing and salsa dances.
Some people find social dance to be intimidating but many like it because its not mainstream.
Brian Zaghi joined Gibson’s Latin dance class to learn the basics and now goes out social dancing at least twice a week.
“After a year she asked me to be on the team,” said Zaghi.
Pierce’s social dancers can be found dancing almost any night of the week.
Borderline Bar and Grill in Thousand Oaks hosts west coast swing on Monday nights and Salsa on Tuesday nights.
Wednesday finds the local Pierce dancers at Sonny’s in Reseda working out of the American Legion Hall.
Thursday night is arguably the most popular night with many dancers making the trek out to Pasadena to dance at Lindy Grove, which is largely east coast style dance.
“A lot of people are scared to go out to clubs,” said Hickey.
Anyone wanting to learn more about swing dance is encouraged to visit the Pierce swing team web page at undergroundswing.com or take a community college swing class.
More social dances and fundraisers are planned for the spring including possibly a date auction, according to Hickey.
“The thing about swing [is] its not the most popular,” said Pierce graduate Joe Carter. “If you walk up to the pretty girl and ask her to dance she’ll say yes.”
Candice Ryu, a dance student at Pierce College and a junior high school teacher, is a Latin dancer. This is her second year dancing for Pierce. (Coburn Palmer/ Roundup)
